Author: Beth Broom
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A Tool for Diminishing Intrusive Thoughts
Symptoms of intrusion are one of the markers of posttraumatic stress, as well as other mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), “Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts that can pop up in our minds unannounced, at any time. Their repeated occurrence can make…
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Are Depression & Anxiety Rooted in Grief?
“My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.”Psalm 55:4-5 Psalm 55 is a passage I use frequently when counseling those who have experienced deep loss and trauma. David’s words are so honest and raw. He doesn’t cheapen or minimize…
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Exploring Values with Trauma Survivors
If a person has been a victim of abuse, neglect or other forms of relational trauma, she has been taught that she does not matter. Her value lies solely in what she can provide for someone else, and she is not free to pay attention to herself. A survivor often has what some call an…
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Are You a Compulsive Helper?
Compulsive behavior includes thoughts, urges or behaviors that persist despite negatively affecting health, job or relationships. Normally when we think of compulsions, we imagine a person who constantly checks the locks on doors or washes their hands all day long. But any behavior that is persistent and includes negative effects can be considered compulsive. So…
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What Are Trauma Triggers?
When someone has experienced trauma, they are very often left with residual and long-lasting effects. One of these effects is what we commonly call ‘triggers.’ A trigger is essentially an instinctual response based on external stimuli that associate with the trauma a person has experienced. Any sensation (such as smell, sound, or touch), situation or…
Beth M. Broom 