When local domestic violence trauma is triggering

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Coping with domestic violence trauma events in our own back yard

It’s one thing to learn of a domestic violence (DV) murder or murder-suicide that happens in another area and very different when it happens so close to home as it has here in West Michigan. When domestic violence trauma events strike close to home it affects the community as a whole.

Our sense of safety, stability and connection can be disrupted. That is especially true for those who have survived past DV abuse. They can become triggered by reminders of their past abuse as the current events are revealed. Suddenly it can feel not so safe again in their own home.

Even if you were not directly affected just knowing this violence has occurred here can have an impact on your well-being.

Our body’s trauma alarm response

Exposure to violence or traumatic events affects our body and nervous system. Our body has a threat response system that goes on high alert when facing a traumatic event.

Your brain’s threat detection system kicks in automatically. It releases adrenaline into your blood that speeds your system up, pushing blood into your big muscles to help prepare you to attack or escape or even freeze.

Our nervous system becomes overwhelmed and dysregulated. We can find ourselves feeling shocked or distressed, afraid or anxious, on edge or irritable.

Might feel disconnected or numb, angry or frustrated or even grief or sadness. We may become exhausted or overwhelmed, even experience confusion or disbelief.

You may notice some tension in your muscles, be breathing shallow and have a rapid heart rate.

Domestic violence trauma survivors and triggers

Someone who has experienced domestic violence trauma in the past can be triggered by news that reminds them of their past traumatic event. It can trigger symptoms of PTSD and feelings associated with their past trauma.

Current DV trauma events can bring on not only uncomfortable feelings but debilitating memories too. And the body’s alarm bell goes off which causes the survivor to become emotionally dysregulated. As a result, they can get stuck in that survival mode too.

DV survivors might find themselves being extra cautions, checking for updates about the event, looking with more suspicion at people or situations, or replaying details of their own traumatic past.

The survivor’s brain may not recognize that their own danger is in the past.

Some coping tools

It’s important to recognize if you are being triggered and to manage your trauma reactions as they happen.

If you feel intense fear do some deep breathing to help calm your system, listen to soothing music.

Go outside and let mother nature work her wonders to calm you as you pay attention to the greenery and especially the bird tunes you hear.

Distract yourself—watch a comedy, count backwards from 100, look around the room and name everything you see.

Get moving—go for a walk, dance around the room.

Ground yourself by stomping your feet, notice your body parts that touch the chair you are sitting in and really feel those sensations, pet your furry friend, squish a stress ball.

Talk with someone that you trust will understand what you are going through.

And do remember to reach for therapy support if you are having difficulty managing your reactions to these very unsettling ever so close domestic violence trauma events!

Do Contact Me! I offer PTSD Treatment, Anxiety Therapy, Grief Therapy.

JD’s Midlife Tools For Living Practices, Holland, MI
Offering Heartfelt care, Compassion and Coping Tools