Forgiving The Abuser & Thanking Your Trauma Response: Special Guest Laurette Smith

<p>***WARNING*** This episode contains information that may be disturbing to some audiences.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p>Eating disorders have an established link to trauma. Studies have shown time and again that trauma makes us more like to develop an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia. In this episode we will dive into the effects of PTSD after living through trauma.</p> <p>Here is some insight from the Center For Discovery - Eating Disorder Treatment on PTSD</p> <p><strong>Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder</strong></p> <p>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) is a mental illness that was first identified in the 1970s and applied to soldiers returning home from the horror of combat. (It had previously been known as “shell shock,” a term that described the terror many soldiers experienced from World War I onward). But experiences that cause PTSD aren’t limited to war. These&nbsp;are all types of trauma that can cause PTSD.</p> <h4>Symptoms of PTSD</h4> <p>The symptoms of PTSD may vary from person to person. However, it all starts with at least one traumatic event where there is at least the threat of death, serious injury or sexual violence. The traumatic event(s) can happen directly to the person, or be witnessed. In the case of close friends or family members, just hearing about the traumatic incident can trigger PTSD. Additionally, people who repeatedly hear about traumatic events, such as law enforcement, first responders, therapists or medical personnel, are at risk.</p> <p>Of course, not everyone who is exposed to trauma will develop PTSD. Here are some of the symptoms:</p> <ul> <li>Re-experiencing a traumatic event or events through intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares</li> <li>Irritability, anger, and increased arousal</li> <li>Avoidance of people, places, and elements that remind people of the trauma (“triggers”)</li> <li>Irritable or aggressive behavior, anger, hyperarousal (body and mind kick into high gear)</li> <li>Reckless and/or self-destructive behavior</li> <li>Difficulty sleeping