What if the anxiety, irritability, or sleepless nights you're experiencing aren't just "normal stress," but signs of trauma you're carrying? In this profound conversation with trauma expert Dr. Marti Loring, we uncover how trauma shapes our lives in ways most people never recognize.
Dr. Loring, a pioneering voice in trauma research and author of "Emotional Abuse: The Trauma and Treatment," shatters common misconceptions about trauma, revealing it's not just for war veterans or disaster survivors—it's something we all experience to varying degrees. "Trauma has often been called a normal reaction to an abnormal situation," she explains, offering listeners permission to recognize their struggles without shame.
The discussion takes unexpected turns as we explore how trauma manifests through hyper-vigilance, emotional numbing, avoidance, and even physical symptoms. Dr. Loring addresses how today's non-stop news cycle and pandemic experiences have created collective trauma, leaving many feeling helpless and disconnected from themselves. But rather than leaving listeners in despair, she offers practical, actionable strategies for reclaiming power: selectively engaging with causes that matter to you, finding community through in-person connections, and taking meaningful action.
Perhaps most touching is Dr. Loring's emphasis on self-kindness as the foundation for healing. "Be kind to yourself," becomes the mantra of our conversation—a simple yet profound reminder that healing begins with compassion for our own struggles. She provides listeners with a practical self-assessment checklist and encourages professional support through therapy or counseling.
Whether you're grappling with anxiety, feeling overwhelmed by world events, or simply seeking to understand yourself better, this episode offers both validation and hope. Finding meaning through helping others can transform trauma into purpose, and connection—to ourselves and each other—might be our most powerful medicine in troubled times.

Trauma Self-Assessment Checklist:

1. How anxious are you and how often?
2. How are you getting along with other people?
3. Are you irritable or distrustful?
4. Do you find yourself having trouble sleeping?
5. Do you tend to react in an anxious way to other things?
6. Are you feeling depressed and hopeless and helpless?
7. Do you have so little energy?
8. Do you have flashbacks to things in the past?
9. Do thoughts and images intrude into your thinking so it’s hard to concentrate?
10. Do you forget or ‘tune out’ on parts of your life, unable to remember?

Contact Dr. Marti Loring: [email protected]

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