How Trauma Changes Your Thinking

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I talked in a previous video about how trauma affects how you store memories. Traumatic experiences can also affect how you perceive things and cause you to have what we call cognitive distortions.

These distortions are especially present in people who develop post-traumatic stress disorder from an event, but you don’t need to have that diagnosis for your thinking to be skewed from a traumatic experience or experiences. This video looks at four ways trauma can change your thinking.

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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.

[ellieragam]

6:53 “Fear followed by avoidance of things related to the fear makes the fear grow bigger and sometimes morph into other fears.” This hit hard. I hope I get better.

[magnolia]

My ex was abusive in every way possible. He would sneak up on me and attack me when I got home as I walked from my car to my house. He would drive super close behind me try to swerve my car off the road with his car so that I would crash. He even climbed my 2nd story balcony to see if I was cheating. I was never allowed to get a restraining order because he’s a cop and was ignored once law enforcement found out he’s “one of them.” I’ve been 5 years no contact and he finally left me alone about 2 years ago, but I still am on high alter everywhere I go. Don’t know if I could ever trust a man again. Been in therapy for years but sometimes I feel like that only helps by having a witness that knows all of my horror stories in case he decides to come back to punish me for leaving him... I’m not posting this as a pitty party or trying to get sympathy. I’m not sad that it happened these days. I’m just very angry… My advice is as soon as you see the first red flag 🚩, RUN and block that person. Cut off all ties. There were so many red flags I naively ignored and that’s what haunts me most times. That I should’ve been smarter and made better logical choices. Always go with what you know than what you feel because making decisions based solely on love and hope can do more harm than good. Stay safe.🖤

[DIANA]

As someone whose being trained in Psychology, she’s really good and I look up to her! Thank you for sharing this!

[hollyjoy]

I’m sure I saw this today for a reason.. My dad was killed by a drunk driver in front of my house, picking up my daughter Holly Joy..she blames herself, had 10 months of residential treatment, so victorious! Less than 6 months later she was diagnosed with cancer at 15 and I lost her at 21..she left me 10 years ago and I’m breaking now…my psychiatrist only prescribed medications which was a very bad thing…..thank you so much for this video, as it is me😭My name is Ronnie….of course I used my Holly’s name for this…

[redfruitz]

Damn, I have avoidant and paranoid personality traits and that resonate deep. Living with constant fear and anxiety is not fun at all. I almost lost my job and failed college multiple times because of this. It's so hard to overcome the paranoid thoughts and fear. Sometimes, last year I was just sitting in my bath petrified of the future. I almost became alcoholic. Ativan worked greatly to calm my anxiety attack at job.

[cherylcalogero]

Dr Marks, I'd love to have on as my therapist..You're kind, intelligent, and patient. If only everyone could find a Dr just like you, we'd all be feeling much better! Bless you and yours Dr Marks.

[grubbymanz]

this is one of the only channels I've ever seen that translates psychiatric knowledge to the general public without really watering it down. Grade A psychoeducation.

[littlelulu]

I use the 54321 grounding technique and breathing exercises. Also I count back from 100 by 7. These practices really help.

[kymberlydawn]

I lost my husband when I was 32 after a gun accident in our livingroom (it was not suicide)
I am now 42, live with my mom, have acquaintances but no real friends and have become a hermit. Living on a small island and being self employed helps with this lifestyle. I just don't want to lose anyone anymore. It's easier being alone.
Art helps a lot though!

[aprilmonique]

I have experienced physical trauma and it has definitely changed my way of thinking. Thank you for this video. 💖🌟

[Glitter_Bear]

I’m in tears. I feel validated from this. Thank you!

[courtneybrown]

Yes! Long term journaling can be a good self-therapy if you are in a situation where you can't get help. I wish everyone had a Dr. Marks.

[lolodaloco]

Speaking of avoiding I’ve been avoiding watching your videos because they just make me realize things that I wasn’t expecting to face again but that being said thank you for making these videos they make me feel less alone 😊💕

[Mariat]

😳 She just explain how my brain works. Thank you, I have so much to work on but this video just helped me to be more aware of my trauma responses!

[MansSuperPower]

Dr. Tracy is that auntie that you admire so much because she seems to always have the right answer for everything. ❤️

[englishmomma]

Thank you. Myself and children have severe PTSD all these points are so relatable, we will certainly try some of the techniques whilst waiting for more therapy.

[tdawgz]

At age 10, I felt hatred, anger, & confusion after experiencing my very first heartbreak when my narcissistic mother gave my dog away while I was at school one day. The loss was an unexpected & incomprehensible traumatic experience for me.

I got home from school one day & my stomach dropped, Sassy was missing, my dog was gone. After seeing me cry & searching everywhere to no avail, my neighbor finally told me what happened. I didn’t understand why my parent would do this, as she gave me no warnings or indications that this would occur. When she got home from work I asked her why. She avoided me for hrs telling me to leave her alone & stop my crying over “nonsense”.

Later that night she finally answered however, it was w/a slap to my face & her yelling at me to stop me “pestering her about the stupid dog” as she’s the adult & im the child she can do whatever. This made me cry even more, & to stop me from crying she gave me beating in my room w/her hands & a belt telling me to shut up & go to bed or she will “give me something truly worth crying for”.

The bottomless pit created by this wound has made avoid getting close to anyone due to fears of them either taking away something that I love, or me losing them. Both of which I’ve already experienced in mid 20s adding more fuel to my paranoia where now as I’m in my early 20s I avoid evry1 & everything.

[lanavikadorothea]

She’s so straight on. Been learning this stuff through my trauma therapist. I love your videos as they go in depths.

[amadahyrose]

You are a good teacher, Dr Marks. I am healing from c-ptsd and have experienced all this (and more, to do with memory). For the first time in a few years, I feel hopeful that I can recover or at least transform my trials into victories. Thank you for your good work.

[douglasr]

When you go through enough traumatic experiences it can lead to what’s known as “Analysis Paralysis”. Essentially becoming unable to make future decisions due to the negative outcomes from past decisions. This coupled with traumatic experiences intentionally caused by others leaves one utterly hopeless. Unable to process the conflicting cognitive dissonance distortions leads to paralysis.