#100 Why Trauma Makes You Feel Broken — And How to Heal the Shame Spiral

#100 Why Trauma Makes You Feel Broken — And How to Heal the Shame Spiral

Ever felt like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, convinced that you're just not good enough? In this episode of The Trauma Recovery School, Bonita Ackerman du Preez tackles the heavy topic of shame and how it often makes trauma survivors feel utterly broken. She explores the difference between shame and guilt, explaining that while guilt is about actions, shame is a belief about oneself.

This distinction is crucial for anyone trying to understand their emotional responses. Bonita shares how shame manifests physically, causing your chest to tighten and your posture to collapse, leading to behaviours like people-pleasing or overachieving as a means to escape its discomfort. But there's hope! Bonita highlights that shame thrives in silence, but once you speak it out loud and work through it with the right tools and support, its grip starts to loosen.

You'll hear about effective healing techniques like bodywork and breathwork, combined with cognitive strategies to de-sequence those feelings that hold you captive. With help from experts like Kerry, a nutritional and mental health coach, and Megan, a resiliency and confidence coach, Bonita's team provides a structured approach to help you reclaim your self-worth. If you've ever felt trapped by shame, this episode offers a lifeline.

You're not alone in this journey, and you deserve to feel loved and live a fulfilling life. Ready to let go of that shame spiral?

Listen in and take the first step towards healing.