ABSTRACT
Trauma survivors often develop symptoms that represent neurobiologically regulating attempts to cope with the trauma: self-injury and suicidality, risk-taking, re-enactment behavior, caretaking and self-sacrifice, revictimization, and addictive behavior. All behaviors represent different ways of modulating a dysregulated nervous system and preparing for the next threat: self-injury and planning suicide induce adrenaline-related responses of power, icy calm, control, and physical strength but also a relaxation effect from increased production of endorphins; and overeating all induce emotional and bodily numbing; and addictive behaviors can be tailored to evoke either numbing or increased arousal or a combination of both. The neurobiological research and an understanding of the somatic legacy of trauma advise to take a new and different course in treatment. Helping clients learn to become curious and interested in their symptoms and able to identify the voices that speak through their reactions can change their relationship to themselves and to the past from one of shame and dread to one of compassion.
