Trauma, Resilience, and Post-Trauma Syndromes
When a friend recently told me that the word he most associates with me is resilience, I thanked him — but also admitted he doesn’t know the whole story. Resilience has been part of my life, but resilience isn’t infinite. We’re all fragile, too, because we’re human.
In this episode of She Became CEO, I expand on the theme I began in Episode 25: that the signs of trauma aren’t always obvious. Sometimes, you realize you’re not quite the person you used to be, without understanding why.
Drawing on Dr. Paul Conti’s book Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic, I walk through three trauma types — acute, chronic, and vicarious — and then introduce a concept I haven’t spoken about before: post-trauma syndromes.
Dr. Conti outlines seven criteria that show how trauma can linger: exposure, re-experience, hypervigilance, increased baseline anxiety, decreased baseline mood, inadequate sleep, and behavior change. These syndromes explain why life can feel heavier, slower, or confusing after trauma — even years later.
I also share from my own life — including how complex trauma and post-trauma syndromes led me to unexpected places, like working in a restaurant despite once earning an MBA. What sustained me was a mix of faith and the determination to keep healing.
And I remind you: trauma changes the brain, but that doesn’t mean your potential is gone. Healing and growth are possible, even after deep wounds.
As I close, I mention a project I’m creating for you: a quiz to help you recognize if trauma may be blocking you and whether you’re ready for change.
Key Takeaways:
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