This week, I’m sharing my answer to another great question from a member of this community:
“How do you identify and release preverbal terror from the body, how do you even get to it?”
First, here’s a quick definition for those who may not be familiar:
Preverbal terror is when we experience really scary things in our environment, and the corresponding intense sensations within us, before we have the capacity to verbalize (or even understand what’s happening) – usually before the age of three. While we may not remember it, we still feel its devastating effects.
In today’s video (originally recorded live on Instagram), I explain what’s needed to recognize and gently release this type of trauma so it no longer holds you back.
Preverbal terror is a complex topic.
I wish there was a simple, step-by-step “works every time” formula for it…
…but unfortunately, there is no magic formula (or vagus nerve “biohack”) for healing this (or any) kind of trauma in a deep, lasting way.
In reality, it’s about the basics:
- Building your capacity to pay attention to your internal sensations AND the world around you
- Learning to read and follow your biological impulses (this is HUGE!)
- Understanding how the various branches of your nervous system and survival physiology work together to keep you safe
Get these pieces in place and the rest takes care of itself.
WATCH this week’s video to learn more >>
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Mentioned and additional resources to complement this video:
➤ BOOK: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD.
➤ The Polyvagal Theory Explained
➤ How to build somatic and nervous system capacity
➤ The power of building capacity and following biological impulses
➤ Orienting: its simplicity and complexity explained.
➤ The work of Kathy L. Kain, PhD and Stephen J. Terrell, PsyD, SEP
