Is silence a trauma response?

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who don't talk about their feelings after a traumatic event are no more likely to have problems down the road than those who do express them, new research shows. In fact, they may be better off.


Does trauma make you silent?

Trauma can change your life in profound ways. While not everyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), those that do frequently suffer in silence.

Is silence a coping mechanism?

Silence may be a part of our personality, certainly, but it may also be a coping mechanism that has prevented us from properly expressing and confronting emotions and feelings. We push the feelings down and replace them with substances to extinguish them.


What is silence trauma?

They feel that no one really wants to hear how terrible something was for them, whether it is being sexually assaulted, the suicide of a relative, or combat. People who have experienced any of these examples might feel that no one can understand the experience.

What are the 4 types of trauma responses?

The mental health community broadly recognizes four types of trauma responses:
  • Fight.
  • Flight.
  • Freeze.
  • Fawn.


When is Silence the Best Response



How can you tell if someone has a trauma response?

Changes in physical and emotional reactions
  1. Being easily startled or frightened.
  2. Always being on guard for danger.
  3. Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast.
  4. Trouble sleeping.
  5. Trouble concentrating.
  6. Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior.
  7. Overwhelming guilt or shame.


Is keeping busy a trauma response?

You might find relief in being busy, but the truth is that staying busy is a trauma response. Your symptoms of PTSD reflect someone who is capable of functioning in the world as long as you remain stimulated. It's possible that you're afraid of what will happen when you stop moving.

What psychology says about silence?

A study in the journal Heart in 2006 found that silence can relieve tension in just two minutes. Silence is more “relaxing” for your body and brain than listening to music – as measured by a lowering of blood pressure and increased blood flow to the brain.


Why is silence manipulative?

Essentially, the point of the silent treatment is to make the victim feel confused, stressed, guilty, ashamed, not good enough, or unstable enough so that they would do what the manipulator wants.

Why does the silence hurt?

Being left in silence can be extremely painful, as it involves the loss of connection, love, intimacy, and sometimes even family participation. It can also feel unfair and unkind, leading to anger and further fighting.

Why silence is a powerful response?

Being silent allows us to channel our energies. It gives us the clarity we need to calmly face challenges and uncertainty. The hour of silence I practice each morning, and encourage you to practice as well, can be a time for collecting our thoughts, training our minds, and deciding how we want to enter into the day.


Is silence a form of response?

To some, it may appear weak. But silence is a valid form of response, and frankly, sometimes, it's the very best way to communicate. Consider the following situations.

Why the silent treatment is toxic?

In general, the silent treatment is a manipulation tactic that can leave important issues in a relationship unresolved. It also can leave the partner on the receiving end feeling worthless, unloved, hurt, confused, frustrated, angry, and unimportant.

How does a Traumatised person behave?

Adults may display sleep problems, increased agitation, hypervigilance, isolation or withdrawal, and increased use of alcohol or drugs. Older adults may exhibit increased withdrawal and isolation, reluctance to leave home, worsening of chronic illnesses, confusion, depression, and fear (DeWolfe & Nordboe, 2000b).


Why do people shut down after trauma?

When trauma and chronic stress become overwhelming, our nervous system tends to move into a shutdown state. Counsellors often refer to it as dissociation, a common response to traumatic events.

What kind of person uses the silent treatment?

Avoidance: In some cases, people stay silent in a conversation because they do not know what to say or want to avoid conflict. Communication: A person may use the silent treatment if they do not know how to express their feelings but want their partner to know that they are upset.

Is silence a form of gaslighting?

The silent treatment is strikingly similar to gaslighting, as both flourish in power and control. In fact, some therapists call the silent treatment a form of gaslighting, used to cause personal uncertainty, and a sense of doubt when considering goals, self-views and worldviews.


Is silence passive-aggressive?

Silence and non-responsiveness are not only passive aggressive forms of manipulation and attention seeking; they can also be used as tools to promote changes in behavior.

How do you break the silent treatment?

Why We Give the Silent Treatment — And What to Do About It
  1. You Can't Reward the Behavior. Many people find that appeasing the withdrawing person, and letting them sulk and stew or coaxing them out of it, as tantamount to giving into a screaming toddler. ...
  2. Give Yourself Some Alone Time. ...
  3. Talk — At the Right Time. ...
  4. Don't Engage.


What did Einstein say about silence?

His piece went on to attribute a sentiment to Albert Einstein: “Silence is complicity with the status quo.”


What are the three types of silence?

Bruneau (1973) spoke of three forms of silence: (1) psychological, (2) interactive and (3) sociocultural.

Why do people become silent?

Sometimes, going silent may be the best thing to avoid saying things you would later regret. People might also use it in moments where they don't know how to express themselves or feel overwhelmed. But some people use the silent treatment as a tool for exerting power over someone or creating emotional distance.

What are five of the common signs a person is reacting to trauma?

Emotional Trauma Symptoms

Psychological Concerns: Anxiety and panic attacks, fear, anger, irritability, obsessions and compulsions, shock and disbelief, emotional numbing and detachment, depression, shame and guilt (especially if the person dealing with the trauma survived while others didn't)


What is the most common response to trauma?

fear, anxiety and panic. shock – difficulty believing in what has happened, feeling detached and confused. feeling numb and detached. not wanting to connect with others or becoming withdrawn from those around you.

Does avoiding trauma make it worse?

Using avoidance as your main way of coping with traumatic memories can make PTSD symptoms worse and make it harder to move on with your life.
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