We don’t heal in isolation, but in community.
~ S. Kelley Harrell
~ S. Kelley Harrell
Trauma affects the mind and body in so many ways. As a Bio-Touch practitioner, I remember working on two ladies at the Center who had suffered different traumas in their lives. Along with their other symptoms, they began to lose their hair. A lot of hair. One of them took to wearing a wig, and the other wore scarves to cover her hair loss. I felt so sorry for them having to go through that.
Then last year, after suffering a severe back injury, I, too, experienced this phenomenon. My hair started coming out in handfuls, lying in tangled clumps on my pillowcase. Luckily for me, my back is healing nicely, and my hair loss was temporary. But losing so much hair was devastating, especially while also dealing with extreme pain and sudden disability.
This kind of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. The trauma of severe pain and stress can be a “shock” to the system, causing hair roots to be pushed prematurely into a resting state. Telogen effluvium can be a short-term problem or it can cause permanent hair loss. As much as 70% of scalp hair is shed about two months after the “shock.”
Trauma is defined as a psychological and/or emotional response to an experience that is deeply disturbing. Trauma can result from being involved in an accident, having an illness or injury, losing a loved one, or going through a divorce. Extreme trauma can encompass experiences like rape, battlefield stress, or torture.
Because trauma reactions fall across a wide spectrum, psychologists have developed categories to differentiate between types of trauma. Among them are complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and developmental trauma disorder.
Complex Trauma happens repetitively and cumulatively. The traumatic experience transpires within a particular time frame or within a specific relationship, and often in a specific setting.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after a person has been exposed to a terrifying event or has been through an ordeal in which intense physical harm occurred or was threatened. Sufferers of PTSD have persistent and frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal.
Developmental Trauma Disorder is a recent term in the study of psychology. This disorder forms during a child’s first three years of life. The result of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment, developmental trauma interferes with the infant or child’s neurological, cognitive, and psychological development. It disrupts the child’s ability to attach to an adult caregiver.
Many people undergoing traumatic events find themselves facing troubling symptoms. The severity of these symptoms depends upon the person, the type of traumatic event experienced, and the emotional support received after the event. Symptoms can be varied and are not always experienced in the same way by all individuals.
Common symptoms of trauma include:
Mood symptoms:
Behavioral symptoms:
Physical symptoms:
Psychological symptoms:
Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with trauma. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.
Then last year, after suffering a severe back injury, I, too, experienced this phenomenon. My hair started coming out in handfuls, lying in tangled clumps on my pillowcase. Luckily for me, my back is healing nicely, and my hair loss was temporary. But losing so much hair was devastating, especially while also dealing with extreme pain and sudden disability.
This kind of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. The trauma of severe pain and stress can be a “shock” to the system, causing hair roots to be pushed prematurely into a resting state. Telogen effluvium can be a short-term problem or it can cause permanent hair loss. As much as 70% of scalp hair is shed about two months after the “shock.”
Trauma is defined as a psychological and/or emotional response to an experience that is deeply disturbing. Trauma can result from being involved in an accident, having an illness or injury, losing a loved one, or going through a divorce. Extreme trauma can encompass experiences like rape, battlefield stress, or torture.
Because trauma reactions fall across a wide spectrum, psychologists have developed categories to differentiate between types of trauma. Among them are complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and developmental trauma disorder.
Complex Trauma happens repetitively and cumulatively. The traumatic experience transpires within a particular time frame or within a specific relationship, and often in a specific setting.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after a person has been exposed to a terrifying event or has been through an ordeal in which intense physical harm occurred or was threatened. Sufferers of PTSD have persistent and frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal.
Developmental Trauma Disorder is a recent term in the study of psychology. This disorder forms during a child’s first three years of life. The result of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment, developmental trauma interferes with the infant or child’s neurological, cognitive, and psychological development. It disrupts the child’s ability to attach to an adult caregiver.
Many people undergoing traumatic events find themselves facing troubling symptoms. The severity of these symptoms depends upon the person, the type of traumatic event experienced, and the emotional support received after the event. Symptoms can be varied and are not always experienced in the same way by all individuals.
Common symptoms of trauma include:
Mood symptoms:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Shock
- Anger
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Despair
- Guilt
- Shame
- Self-blame
- Sadness
- Panic attacks
- Hopelessness
Behavioral symptoms:
- Frequent nightmares
- Being easily startled
- Fatigue
- Edginess
- Self-medication with drugs and alcohol
- Self-harming behaviors
- Difficulty concentrating
- Social isolation
- Avoiding certain events that may trigger memories
- Avoiding certain people
Physical symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Racing heartbeat
- Muscle tension
- Aches and pains
- Exhaustion
- Agitation
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Significant loss of scalp hair
Psychological symptoms:
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Insecurities
- Repressed memories
- Dissociation
- Emotional numbing
- Constant fear
- Denial and disbelief
- Flashbacks – the individual may re-experience traumatic events over and over
- Emotional detachment
- Low self-esteem
Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with trauma. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.
