The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

433: Stuck in Trauma & Embarrassed by Emotional Reactions

Mar 7, 2025

Dive into the complexities of PTSD and trauma responses. Explore how living environments can trigger overwhelming emotions and the struggle to break free from those triggers. Gain practical strategies for managing emotional reactions in public and reducing feelings of embarrassment. Learn about the value of trauma-informed therapy, journaling for self-reflection, and using gratitude to foster connections. This conversation offers compassionate insights to help navigate the rocky path of healing and self-acceptance.

32:47

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Quick takeaways

Understanding the physical responses to trauma highlights the importance of recognizing environmental triggers to facilitate healing.

Shifting focus from shame to gratitude can help individuals cope with emotional reactions in public and enhance resilience.

Deep dives

The Impact of Traumatic Memories

Traumatic memories can resurface in a way that feels as though the individual is reliving the experience, making it difficult to recognize their current safety. People often struggle to process these memories due to the body’s inability to differentiate between past events and present situations. This leads to intense emotional responses when triggered by various cues in their environment, which could include specific places or sounds associated with the trauma. Understanding this response is crucial, as it emphasizes that trauma is not just about the original event but also how the body reacts to reminders of that event.

Navigating Trauma: Understanding Emotional Responses and Seeking Help

33min

Episode 433: Navigating PTSD Triggers & Overcoming Shame

In this episode of The Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I tackle two listener questions related to PTSD, trauma, and the emotional challenges that come with them. The first question is from someone who is deeply affected by their environment, living in a house that serves as a constant PTSD trigger. They want to move forward but feel completely stuck. The second question is about dealing with strong emotional reactions in public and the embarrassment that follows. I offer compassionate, practical advice to help both listeners begin taking steps toward healing and self-acceptance.

What We Cover in This Episode:

Understanding why trauma responses persist and how they impact daily life
The role of avoidance in PTSD and how to begin addressing it
Practical strategies for tackling overwhelming life changes
How to communicate with a therapist about deeply buried trauma
The importance of seeking trauma-informed therapy and possible medication options
Exposure techniques for gradually confronting PTSD triggers
Journaling as a tool for processing trauma at your own pace
Overcoming embarrassment when experiencing emotional reactions in public
Using gratitude as a way to shift focus from shame to connection
Coping strategies to regulate emotions and build resilience

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & request for listener questions 02:00 – Listener question: Living in a house that triggers PTSD 05:00 – Why trauma responses persist and the role of avoidance 10:00 – Communicating openly with a therapist about severe trauma 12:00 – Seeking trauma-informed therapy and medication considerations 16:00 – Making an actionable plan to move forward and sell the house 21:00 – Practical steps to start addressing home repairs and tasks 22:00 – Listener question: Managing PTSD emotional reactions in public 24:00 – Using gratitude to counter feelings of shame and embarrassment 27:00 – Grounding techniques and exposure exercises to build resilience 30:00 – The importance of seeking support from others 32:00 – Closing thoughts & listener engagement request

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