Trauma Response: Fight, Flight or Freezer! Which One Are You

Join Kirsty van den Bulk as she talks with Philippa Smithhurst, a trauma psychotherapist and newly published author.

In this episode of The Wise Why, Philippa shares her profound insights into how trauma impacts our lives, likening it to a boulder disrupting the calm of a pond. She delves into trauma responses beyond the typical "fight or flight," such as:

➡️ Flop: Shutting down when overwhelmed.
➡️ Dissociation: Disconnecting from painful emotions.

We discuss the lasting effects of childhood trauma, the resilience of post-traumatic growth, and practical, compassionate strategies for managing trauma. Philippa also shares an inspiring golden nugget of advice:
"Trauma is like too much chili in your soup—you can’t remove it, but you can balance it with other ingredients. Introducing even small positives can restore balance and bring comfort."

💡 Key Highlights:
➡️ Practical tips for managing trauma with self-compassion.
➡️ How the pandemic shaped trauma responses.
➡️ Inspiring post-traumatic growth examples, like Terry Waite.
➡️ Empowering techniques for self-nurturing and healing.

This conversation is a must-watch for anyone seeking understanding, hope, and tools for navigating life’s challenges.

Chapters;

00:26 Philippa Smethurst
01:20 20 ways to Break Free from Trauma
02:20 The Coke Affect!
04:18 Slowing Down Our Breath
05:35 Lokdown Inspiration
06:01 The Three Trauma Responses
06: 46 Dissociation
08:00 Shame Drives Shame
09:42 Trauma's Wound
12:46 Trauma Comes In All Sizes
14:04 Trauma Exercise
16:24 Life's Curveballs
18:02 Life In China
21:14 Sir Terry Waite and Alistair Campbell
22:36 Post Traumatic Growth
26:05 Trauma Makes Us Vulnerable
29:37 Chilli Soup!
32.24 Close

Buy the Book:
https://philippasmethurst.com/bookshop

Contact Kirsty: www.kvdb.co.uk

#TraumaRecovery #HealingFromTrauma #MentalHealth