Measure the neurophysiological changes associated with PTSD and whiplash!Using the clinical model of the whiplash syndrome, this groundbreaking book describes the alterations in brain chemistry and function induced in individuals by what is known as traumatic stress or traumatization--experiencing a life-threatening event while in a state of helplessness. The Body Bears the Burden: Trauma, Dissociation, and Disease presents evidence of the resulting and relatively permanent alteration in neurophysiology, neurochemistry, and neuronal organization. This book convincingly demonstrates that these changes create lasting effects on the emotional and physical well-being of the victim--changes correlated with many of the most common, yet poorly understood, physical complaints and diseases, including whiplash, migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and other painful, difficult-to-treat conditions. Further, the causes and effects of retraumatization are explored, clarifying the reasons some patients suffer fresh trauma over relatively minor incidents while others handle major traumas more easily. This groundbreaking volume backs up its new theory of PTSD neurophysiology with cogent theory and persuasive evidence, including: case studies correlating clinical features of trauma and dissociation with compelling physiological rationales for the symptoms solid documentation drawing from the medical and psychiatric literature of PTSD, whiplash, brain injury, epidemiology of trauma, and a variety of disease processes linked to trauma in-depth discussions of medical traumatization of patients, including the results of pediatric procedures and ineffective anesthesia demonstrations that somatization and conversion are not imagined symptoms but result from measurable autonomic physiological alteration of the affected organ a well-documented exploration of the effect of prenatal and neonatal trauma on later emotional development, response to traumatic life events, and disease and mortalityThis impressive empirical evidence that body, brain, and mind are a continuum offers a powerful new paradigm to medical and mental health professionals, as well as new hope to sufferers from trauma. With a foreword by Bessel van der Kolk and helpful figures, The Body Bears the Burden: Trauma, Dissociation, and Disease is an essential resource for the in-the-trenches professionals who confront the effects of trauma and resulting somatic consequences. It will be of compelling interest and usefulness to family practice physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, speech and physical therapists, counselors and psychotherapists, and any medical or mental health professional who treats physical or emotional trauma.
Author(s): Robert Scaer
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Year: 2014
Language: English
Pages: 280
Tags: Medicine;neurology;PTSD;trauma;therapy;brain;mental health
Contents
Foreword
Bessel A. van der Kolk
Preface
Acknowledgments
CHAPTER 1—Concepts of Traumatization: The Role of Boundaries
The Concept of Boundaries
The Role of Boundaries in Trauma
Boundaries and Childhood
Conclusion
CHAPTER 2—Trauma, Instinct, and the Brain: The Fight/Flight/Freeze Response
The Neurophysiology of Trauma
Brain Responses to Stress
Fighting, Fleeing, or Freezing
The Animal Model
The Freeze Discharge
The Human Anomaly
Conclusion
CHAPTER 3—The Whiplash Syndrome I: Symptoms in Search of a Meaning
The History of Whiplash
The Clinical Syndrome
Physical Forces and Structural Injury
The Pathophysiology of Whiplash
Myofascial Pain
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)
Piriformis Syndrome
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
Minor Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI)
Neurological Symptoms
Emotional Symptoms
Conclusion
CHAPTER 4—The Whiplash Syndrome II: A Model of the Brain in Trauma
Memory Mechanisms in Trauma
Declarative Versus Nondeclarative Memory
Somatic Responses to Stress
The Meaning of Speed
Vehicular Transport and Society
The Automobile as a Threat
The Neurophysiology of Trauma in Whiplash
Kindling and Trauma
Cognitive Deficits in Trauma
Trauma and Post-Concussion Syndrome
Binocular Dysfunction
Vestibular and Autonomic Dysfunction
Neuromuscular Dysfunction and Myofascial Pain
Head and Neck Myofascial Pain
Conclusion
CHAPTER 5—Bonding, Attunement, and Concepts of Homeostasis
The Neurophysiology of Attunement and the Developing Brain
The Development of Character
The Polyvagal Theory
The Dorsal Vagal Complex
The Ventral Vagal Complex
Conclusion
CHAPTER 6—Negative Neuroplasticity: Does Trauma Damage the Brain?
The History of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Psychiatry
Brain Plasticity in Trauma
Objective Measurements of Brain Change in Trauma
The Permanence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Conclusion
CHAPTER 7—Somatic Dissociation
Examples of Dissociation
Memory in Dissociation
Cognitive and Emotional Features
Dissociative Physical Symptoms
Conversion Hysteria and Dissociation
The Autonomic Nervous System in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The Concept of Boundaries
The Spectrum of Somatic Dissociation
The Dissociative Capsule
Conclusion
CHAPTER 8—Diseases of Traumatic Stress
The Pathophysiology of Stress
Stress Versus Trauma
The Hypothalamic/Pituitary/Adrenal Axis
Stress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Immune Function
The Diseases of Trauma
Chronic Pain
Somatic Dissociation and Disease
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Somatization Disorders
Morbidity and Mortality
Conclusion
CHAPTER 9—Trauma Reenactment
Introduction
The Roots of Reenactment
Clinical Features
Gender Differences
The Anniversary Syndrome
Reenactment Through Risk Taking
Conclusion
CHAPTER 10—Sources of Trauma
Introduction
The Definition of Traumatic Stress
Exposure to Combat
Child Abuse
Societal Trauma
Medical Trauma
Anesthesia, Surgery, and Critical Medical Illness
The Role of Past Trauma
Awareness During Anesthesia
Pediatric Medical Trauma
Fetal and Neonatal Trauma
Birth Trauma
Circumcision
Childhood Medical Trauma
Conclusion
CHAPTER 11—Trauma Therapy: Essential Ingredients
Cognitive/Verbal Therapy
Exposure and Desensitization Techniques
Somatically Based Therapies
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Energy Psychology
Brainspotting (BST)
Neurofeedback
The Search for the Essential Ingredient
Pharmacotherapy of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Conclusion
CHAPTER 12—Case Histories: The Somatic Spectrum of Trauma
A State of Vulnerability
Somatic Representations of Prior Trauma
Medical and Forensic Trauma
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
The Mysterious Piriformis
Disorders of Speech in Trauma
Spasmodic Torticollis: An Aberration of the Orienting Reflex
Dissociation and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Comments
Epilogue
Index
