Manage Trauma Triggers and PTSD- Journaling Prompts for Mental Health

Do you ever have an intense emotional reaction that just seems disproportionate to the situation? Does some little thing set you off? And you can’t figure out why?

Do you get anxious, a flash of anger, or an unexplainable feeling of fear? Or do you experience a feeling of “shut down”, exhaustion or withdrawal? When we can’t figure out where these emotions are coming from, sometimes these feelings are related to childhood trauma or unresolved painful experiences from our past. Trauma changes our nervous system to make us super sensitive to situations that in any way remind us of the pain or danger of our past trauma.
But when we can’t identify what’s underneath those emotions, we often feel out of control in our own life. In this video you’ll learn 7 journaling prompts to help you explore how big emotions might be related to past trauma. And you’ll hear about a man who’s fear of flying mostly went away when he did this work. Let’s get better at feeling.

Journaling prompts for mental health can help you work through big emotions and trauma, it can help you clarify why you feel the way you do. Trauma triggers can really impact your ability to be emotionally healthy. So you can learn to work through them with these journaling prompts.

Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC
00:00 How trauma triggers can lead to emotional reactivity
00:38 Trauma changes the nervous system
01:27 A man who's fear of flying was related to trauma
03:54 Deep emotional memories can be resolved
04:40 POW Louis Zamperini had a trauma response triggered by rice
05:39 Trauma is any event that is too overwhelming to process
07:34 How to work through trauma and triggers with journaling - essential precautions
08:25 Grounding exercise for anxiety
09:12 7 Journaling prompts for trauma triggers

[angelapriddy]

This is so sad to me. So many can't afford to get help to get through all this

[pallidmouse]

Does anyone else benefit from listening to Emma talk? I have watched and utilized a lot of her videos and self-help tools that she offers, but honestly her voice is so, so soothing and it helps ground me in certain situations.

Thank you Emma you've helped me over the last 2 years from your videos and by helping me ground myself. 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[laurenbarber]

“Let’s get better at feeling” love it, thank you for all your effort, Emma!!

[mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

I see an amazing counselor every other week and I still love your videos. I talk with her about some of the topics too. Thank you for what you do ❤❤❤❤

[jennifermarlowe]

Thank you so much for being so compassionate, laid back, and authentic. I love how you use story telling to relate to the human experience and break down terminology so that we can understand it. Thank you for being a beacon of light and paying it forward ❤

[rockyraquel]

I think the best part is transmitting how much you care about our hearts. Your compassionate heart is beautiful.
I wish you were my therapist. And maybe my mom but I’m older than you, lol. You make we want to cuddle on the couch and put my head on your lap. 😂🥹
🙏🏼 thank you for caring. The world needs more people like you 🌎

[binahnguyen]

I went into the ugly cry when you said I am safe or that’s what I heard. Definitely going to explore that more with my therapist.

[Gabriel-bklm]

My period is coming so I get that kind of liberating earth-shattering crying session that lasts 4 hours. Honestly, I would rather cry for four hours every day and then have a mental energy to concentrate, than walk around with all that stuff bottled up and unable to concentrate for longer than there minutes. I would dance some shaman dances if that what it takes to bring in those healing four hour daily crying sessions, but they just wouldn't come

[mandeepsaini]

Can u please make a full video on death anxiety and existential anxiety and how to overcome it…

[amenhotep]

You are always precisely and exactly right on time. Blessings to you🎰

[paulwellness]

Writing prompts can be terrifying as now we see our thoughts and experience them not through the pen, but our whole body

That's exactly why they work so well. Lovely prompts, appreciate all your helpful advice here

[irataoforfun]

You are a angel on earth, thanks to spread your knowledge. When i have finantial conditions i will buy all your courses for me and to support this amazing job.

[Laila]

I need this right now. As I’m listening to you and the questions. I know the exact answer to the questions, I have known foe a long time now, however I still suffer even though I know my triggers. I’m going through it right now. I can’t stop. I have no tools.

[parrotdoesasploot]

Please make more videos about dissociation and trauma. They're very helpful

[melitalyell]

Thank you soooo much Emma! What a lovely person you are to try to help others through there trauma. I hope you and your family are well🥰

[tristramshandy]

Just discovered your channel recently. You are amazing!

[ramaraghavan]

Thank you so much, Emma. I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon your wonderful channel. ❤

[lancegagelman]

This is actually some of the best information I have ever heard on dealing with hurt of an isolated traumatic evemt. Thanks for posting this.

[TMHAKRN]

Engrossing video..
Enlightening... Informative..
V. Kind of you... To be doing this
I think sensitive people.. Go through such emotion.. and..yes..trauma..not only in childhood.. But also
Otherwise experience.. Later
Triggers these emotions and make one feel helpless

[terriwerning]

You are so thoughtful and helpful❤. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.