Chapters 3 & 4

 Trauma is overwhelming. Reading about it, learning about it, experiencing it - all overwhelming. The amount of knowledge and experience that Van Der Kolk has is also overwhelming for this second-semester graduate student who still trying to distinguish the responsibilities of all the different brain structures. Chapter 3 was interesting to read as the trauma scripts were reinvented as participants essentially volunteered to relive their trauma's. Marsha's story was hard to read about as I can't imagine and pain, guilt, and fear that could come from losing your children in an instant. Through Marsha's story, I was better able to recognize and understand how diverse and individualistic triggers can be. To some - parents fighting and loud noises might be a trigger and yet to others, such as Marsha, the sound of children laughing. I wondered, ethically, if this procedure was okay and I was pleased to see that Van Der Kolk also questioned this as well. 

Reading about Broca's area was something new to me and how this affects speech and how without this area, one cannot put thoughts and feelings into words. Furthermore, it was interesting to read how the "scans showed that Broca's area went offline whenever a flashback was triggered" (p.43). This can affect people even years after the trauma as they may be unable to articulately express what happened to them. I wonder about my five-year client who was been through significant trauma. I wonder about her future and I wonder if I even know the full extent of the trauma, or if I only know the cover story. The amount of trauma this sweet girl as gone through is more than anyone at her age should go through. It saddens me to acknowledge the fact more trauma is to come as another disruption looms over her family and the possibility of a removal is present.  It wouldn't be the first time she would be removed from her mother’s care and I wonder what kind of behavior we might see, will she freeze? Or will she scream, hit, spit, and use profanities like she has before. 

Chapter 4 tells the story of young Noam Saul and how he witnessed the traumatic events of 9/11. His drawing of the event, including the trampoline, is thoughtful and creative. It reminds me of having childlike faith. While the events that he witnessed were horrific, his addition of the trampoline was innocent and pure in a way. Noam and my sweet five-year-old girl are different. Noam, though he experienced something traumatic, was surrounded by love and what he witnessed - it came to an end. However, my sweet client lives in chaos day in and day out. The text states on page 53, " during disasters young children usually take their cues from their parents. As long as their caregivers remain calm and responsive to their needs, the often survive terrible incidents without serious psychological scars". Her trauma, I fear, may not come to an end in such a way as Noam's did.