The Biology of Trauma® With Dr. Aimie

How do we navigate the hidden challenges that can arise when experiencing grief?    Today, I am joined by Melissa Dlugolecki, a mother who lost her daughter at around 4 months of age. In the episode, Melissa shares the journey of losing her daughter, the surprising challenges that popped up during her grief journey, and how she’s been able to get emotionally where she is today.    You’ll hear more on: Navigating grief as a family Hidden dangers that can occur in relationships while navigating grief The role of community in grieving  What it looks like to be committed to our grief Rebuilding your world after a life-changing loss How to prevent getting stuck in grief Finding purpose after pain And more!     For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

Are your attachment pains and patterns impacting not only your relationships, but also your nervous system and overall health?   In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Diane Poole-Heller, an internationally recognized speaker, author, and expert in the field of attachment theory and trauma resolution. Together, we will discuss attachment and how it influences the way your form and maintain relationships, communicate (or don’t!), and what you can do to start moving towards a secure attachment and healthier relationships!  You’ll hear more about: Defining attachment based on your biology How the nervous system gets confused when connection isn’t always safe The markers and milestones that indicate you’re moving towards a secure attachment  What it means when you ghost people Why you can’t just think your way out of your attachment and relationship patterns Building new relational skills for connection and authenticity And more! For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

Grief is something that everyone feels, but how they process it depends on their past history. So how do we know which way we experience grief?   There are challenges each of us must face and overcome based on our past experiences. These experiences will help decide what our grief looks like and if we will get stuck in grief. Today, Deb Dana, a polyvagal therapist, joins me to discuss grief, but in particular, what are Dorsal Days and how do we work these days to create life after loss!   You’ll hear more about: The three organizing principles of the nervous system and how they influence our unique way through grief  What not to ask someone who is grieving Asking this key question to become an active operator of your nervous system  The surprising equation our nervous system uses to create our grief reactions   Why dysregulation is a normal response and the key to returning to regulation The profound impact of our preexisting state on the grief response The most important thing to provide your nervous system during times of grief The role of glimmers in grief  For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

Are the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) connected to trauma?  In this episode, I dive into what I’ve been learning about a hypersensitive and hyperreactive gut looking through the lens of IBS. I answer where IBS comes from, its origins, and the REAL solutions to fixing it. Forget what you think you know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, because the truth might just shock you!   You’ll learn more about: Common misconceptions around IBS and mental health The specific emotion during our attachment years that is connected with IBS  What “global high intensity activation" is and its role in gut hypersensitivity  The right way to address the hypersensitivity and hyperreactivity of the gut. Personalizing interventions to help IBS symptoms (and get your life back!) And more!   For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

How is trauma work different when there is a syndrome involved? Today, I’m delighted to bring you another episode featuring Dr. Peter Levine. Dr. Levine is the Developer of Somatic Experiencing® and the Founder of both the Ergos Institute of Somatic Education and Somatic Experiencing International. Together, we will discuss how stored trauma can lead to syndromes and the somatic solutions that can help. You’ll hear more on: The main element in your body that drives all syndromes Why somatic work is one of 3 pillars of stored trauma What every physician should know about syndromes The role of childhood trauma in chronic syndromes What dysautonomia is (and its role in syndromes) The key to somatic work with any and all syndromes And more! For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

What is the impact of an early heart shock on our mind and body?   Most of the time we don’t even know we’ve experienced a heart shock. But even if we don’t know we’ve experienced one, it has already made an impact on our lives. In this episode, I discuss what a heart shock is, the impact it can make on our body and mind and why it’s so important that you be the hero of your own story. You’ll learn more about: How early life heart shocks affect attachment and survival The deep impact heart shocks have on the body How heart shocks change the nervous system and neuroception The connection between early life heart shocks and adult diseases Recognizing the "part" of us affected by early life shocks For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

Why is it essential for you to do your own trauma work while also understanding the impact of collective trauma?   In this episode, I am joined by Thomas Hübl, a renowned teacher, author, and international facilitator whose lifelong work integrates the core insights of the great wisdom traditions and mysticism with the discoveries of science. Together, we will discuss how each person can create attuned and co-regulated relationships that are necessary for being trauma informed.   We talk more on:  Attachment’s role in our emotional responses as adults The impact of intergenerational and ancestral trauma on attachment  Strategies to stay regulated and connected in relationships Moving from distancing behaviors to being fully present in relationships The role of flow, stagnation and embodied practices in attachments And more!   For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

What is the connection between attachment, autoimmunity and fatigue? The answer… your nervous system! Many practitioners have noticed there has been an uptick in those who are experiencing autoimmunity. What's causing this uptick? In this episode, I’m discussing how the nervous system, and more specifically the freeze response, is connected to attachment, autoimmunity, and fatigue. You’ll hear more about:  The 3 normal stress responses How the freeze response is a component of the stress response both mentally and physically How the freeze response contributes to autoimmune conditions and fatigue Why working on your nervous system  Common symptoms of the freeze response What role do early attachment relationships and traumatic events play in shaping an individual’s stress responses Ways to increase your awareness of your stress responses and explore strategies for managing them effectively For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Is it possible to heal trauma on your own or does it take a village? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. James Gordon, a Harvard educated psychiatrist and Founder and CEO of the nonprofit, The Center for Mind-Body Medicine. We will discuss the devastating impact untreated trauma can cause, the importance of relationships in your healing journey, and why you need to find a self care strategy that works for YOU!   Here’s what you will learn in this episode: The Three P's of trauma healing How self care makes changes in your physiology and your nervous system What you will experience if you work on healing yourself first The power in realizing trauma is a universal experience (and how this can help you heal!) How doing the work can transform your life Why you need to be intentional in your own healing And more! For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

How do we begin to have secure attachments as adults?   We develop our attachment style in childhood and there are 3 different types of attachment. But how do we know what our attachment style is and how it impacts our life? One of them, secure attachment, iI’ve only seen a few times in my life. The other two styles are what most of us tend to be and that’s ok! But how can we move from these styles into secure attachments? That’s the question I’ll be answering on today’s episode. You’ll hear more about: The basics of attachment styles and their impact on our lives How our nervous system influences our attachment patterns The journey from insecure to secure attachment The role of somatic work, parts work, and addressing biology in healing attachment issues Insights into "earned secure attachment" and what it means to work towards it And more!   For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/   CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram   Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.