Following a traumatic incident or series of events, the nervous system is flooded with cortisol and adrenaline, whilst the brain begins to operate in survival mode, shutting down the pre- frontal cortex which is responsible for regulating emotions and impulses. In doing so the amygdala becomes fully activated ready for the fight, flight or freeze response.

Sometimes the nervous system and brain can not return to a state of equilibrium  following a traumatic experience, which can result in acute trauma residing in the body.  This can lead to a chronic response known as a trigger. A trigger is when the brain experiences a memory, feeling or sensation associated with the original traumatic event that has not yet been processed; and instead senses that the trauma is happening in the present moment for the first time.

Triggers can have a big impact on mental, emotional and physical health leading to chronic stress, anxiety and depression, and can begin to erode away at inner confidence and self esteem. This will have a knock on effect whereby a woman will loose touch and feel a disconnect from her true authentic nature, leaving her feeling isolated and alone.

If this is not addressed it can have an impact on a woman’s self worth and self belief, leading to the  “Not good enough “ feeling.  Due to this adaptive strategies may develop in order to gain temporary relief from feeling this way in the form of addictions.

Long term adaptive behavioural patterns may also develop whereby there is either a need to shutdown and withdraw from others, or where a reactive and fearful state is present with heightened responses. This will which ultimately impact a woman’s wellbeing and the relationship’s in her life.