In this episode, we take a closer look at the nature of trauma and its far-reaching effects on the human psyche. We begin by defining "stress" and "coping," and how the process of self-help involves using our agency to regulate our automatic stress responses. We then introduce the concept of "trauma" as a state of "stuckness" or "dissociation," where the natural stress response is unable to complete, leaving us in a state of chronic hyper- or hypo-arousal.

We then differentiate between "acute trauma" (Type I) and "complex trauma" (Type II), highlighting the unique challenges of recovering from chronic, relational trauma. We also explore the various "levels" of trauma, from "self-trauma" to "social trauma," and how these different experiences can interact and compound one another.

The episode concludes with a discussion of the relationship between CPTSD and Asperger's Syndrome (AS), and how the two conditions can be difficult to distinguish. We also touch on the developmental aspects of trauma, and how early life experiences can shape our vulnerability to trauma later in life. By gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of trauma, we can begin to approach our own healing with greater compassion and clarity.