Why You Can’t Just ‘Get Over’ Trauma: The Science Behind Healing

This video explores the science behind why it's so difficult to "just get over" trauma. It explains how trauma affects the brain and body, leading to lasting changes that can't be easily undone. The video also highlights the importance of evidence-based therapies and mind-body practices in healing from trauma. It emphasizes that recovery is possible with the right support and interventions.

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Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[OneOddOwl]

“I’m sorry you’re still letting it affect you so much” is something I’ve heard multiple times about stuff that happened to me in childhood.

[tayzonday]

I definitely need medication to aid my neurology in trauma recovery. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alone doesn’t do it. Medication gets me to a place where CBT has a chance to work.

[gardener]

I am 65 yrs old & I have been on this healing journey my entire adult life. It's not a one & done, it's not a destination. I heard someone say the other day that true healing comes when you accept you are not the person you were before, that it changed you, and that you must accept will never be that person again.

To anyone out there struggling, because of this, please know that people that haven't experienced significant trauma - including trauma therapists - will never understand fully what it does to your brain. They can't understand it because they haven't had their brain changed for them like that. Who you are today is okay. You survived! Your opinion of yourself is what matters, not what other people think. They didn't go through it with you, so they don't get a vote on how you process it, right? It isn't their brain that was impacted, it was yours. They don't set your pace, you do. Hold onto whatever works for you. For me, understanding people just don't understand has helped me come to terms with what happened to me. They don't have to understand how it affected me, I do.

[yerahmlee]

Embodiment is huge, for everyone who’s reading this, I am a trauma survivor and I’ve spent the last ten years of my life trying to aid myself and recover. My keys takeaway are 1. Swimming 2. Gardening 3. Travel 4. Talk to people

[wirtification]

I had a STEMI, 100% blocked and I would have died if I had waited to call 911, I was not sure I was having a heart attack. I told MYSELF, get over it! But, it dosen't work that way. I am still working through it... She's right. Don't be afraid to seek help. It was very good to hear this video.

[gardener]

I HAVE LEARNED THAT SUCCESS IS TO BE MEASURED NOT SO MUCH BY THE POSITION THAT ONE HAS REACHED IN LIFE AS BY THE OBSTACLES WHICH HE HAS OVERCOME WHILE TRYING TO SUCCEED. - Booker T. Washington

[ScottBecker-ck]

OMG, I have chronic post traumatic stress disorder, and I have heard it all throughout my life. "Get over it", "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery", "Forget about the past", "Quit living in the past", "It wasn't as bad as you make it out to be", "Oh, you're just making this up", "It's all in your head", "That's not the way it happened, you just thought it happened that way", And, oh, one of my favorites when I told someone that I was molested at the age of six on the side of the road with cars passing by "It wasn't that bad, was it?" Yep, I have been told by many people from my past who were suppose to be caring people was that the best way to get over trauma was to just forget that it ever happened, and go on like it never happened. Maybe that is why I had three nervous breakdowns in my life. Thank God for videos like this one to really help me understand what is going on. Thank you for this video.

[sandyroberts-de]

It can take weeks, months, or even years to get over trauma. Some people think oh you can just, block it out of your mind. This is so not ture. The memories of it stay with you for a long time. You are fantastic Dr Tracy, so insightful, and understanding.😊 Bless you.

[avereynakama]

Wow, I've heard "GET OVER IT!!!" so much from people that 1. never cared what I was going through and 2. were the CAUSE of a lot of our stress. They oversimplified everything I went through, and it became harder to properly judge whether new situations I've faced were serious or genuinely "no big deal."

I think I'll try some of these to help release some of the "stuck" memories, especially stretching and yoga. Thank you for this video.

[probablypoetic]

I'm over 20 years past the trauma, and can still be triggered by current events I experience.

[spacegirl]

I told my mother I was going to have GET OVER IT! etched on her tombstone.

Thank you for this informative video, Tracey. Working through a lifetime of neglect and abuse is incredibly difficult.

[debrarogerssilvey]

Thank you! I have searched this internet upside down and sideways to try to front a simple explanation as to why I have not been able to move forward at the rate I really want to. This is the best video by far to help people understand. It's not a here today. Gone tomorrow type of deal! No Bells no Whistles just just simple explanations as to why reliving this is possible and how to make it stop is also possible!

[CherrysJubileeJoyfully]

Love you, lady. You helped me so much. You are a blessing.

[joshhenchman]

I had a panic attack last year that triggered a 4 month long DP/DR episode. I had no idea what was going on, my vision was blurry, depth perception was way off, light sensitivity, and had insane head pressure and vertigo. I thought I had broke my brain. I didn’t sleep for months. Even after a year later and a lot of self work to heal. I can still feel the Trauma from that fearful event stuck in my body. It’s mind blowing how once you pass that fear threshold, your body takes receipts

[__rachel___]

Oh my gosh this is RIGHT on time thank You Jesus.
I went through a traumatic loss this summer and just started counseling to get through it!
Glad this noti popped up

[curiouslyme]

Thank you, Dr. Marks. I have DID, C-PTSD, & MDD because of very severe trauma from childhood & adolescence. I've been struggling very badly lately with suicidality & thinking I'm just an incompetent failure at life. Thank you.

[ToGoMania]

Thank you, Dr. Marks! As a veteran with service-connected PTSD I always appreciate your insight. People don’t “get it”, and I’ve lost many friends and jobs because of the PTSD and depression resulting from my experiences.

I recently underwent Written Exposure Therapy, which has helped, but not solved my challenges. I anticipate EMDR in my treatment. Mindfulness and ACT have been powerful for me.

I’m in an Intensive Outpatient Program and will continue this set of therapies to further grow and live a better life.

[Rosey_Squirrel]

Recently I heard, "Are you a sad person that occasionally has happy things happen to them, or a happy person that occasionally has sad things happen to them. It's a different spin on happiness is a chose, but this version his different. Maybe it's because of my breakthrough. Realizing everything I have in my life is a blessing, and I've finally reached dry land.

[studiozazuvt]

Dr. Marks, I admire your videos so much. A few minutes into your trauma segment, I found myself starting to cry. I was taken by surprise, but immediately understood what was occurring. My response clearly indicated that the traumas I experienced in my life remain and I am 70. I have gone to a psychiatrist for my entire adult life. Imagine how I would have responded to your trauma segment without all the intervention I have had! At that moment of starting to cry, two huge trauma sources rushed into my head, and that instant access gave me all the information I needed to know. I have managed to function pretty well in my life, but these traumas are with me for good. Padlocked. you so very VERY much for your wonderful work and your dedication to sharing your expertise with the general public.

[moniques]

This has got to be the BEST summary I've ever heard / watched about trauma!! Thank you very very very much for this video!!!