The Trauma Vortex
For survivors of childhood trauma,
positive experiences,
successes,
and kind feedback
from others
might just roll off us like Teflon,
while more negative experiences like failure,
setbacks,
and critical feedback from others
might stick to us like super glue.
In Somatic Experiencing,
this magnetic pull toward trauma,
fear, and pain
is called the “trauma vortex.”
The trauma vortex
has a lot of power
and momentum
and easily pulls us in.
The “counter vortex” is something
we must work to build,
and is comprised of positive experiences,
and supportive and helpful resources.
Since the counter vortex is not something
we have had for long,
its field is weaker than the trauma vortex,
so the trauma vortex
pulls us in with a force
that the counter vortex
may have trouble countering…
for a while, at least.
This can be frustrating,
but building up our counter vortex
and healing over time
can create more capacity in our system,
helping us to take in the good things
in our lives, and allowing them to stick.