Trauma, much like physical temperature, can range from a chilling numbness to a searing heat.
I find that the temperature of trauma is a metaphor that captures the intense, often fluctuating, emotional states experienced by those who have endured deeply distressing events.
Just as our bodies respond to external temperatures, our minds and emotions react to the 'temperature' of our trauma, shaping our experiences and responses in profound ways.
This metaphor is one of many that I use with clients in my Exeter Counselling Office to bring the body into the theraputic space which in turn can help in bringing sentient connection to the process of understanding and exploring impactful experiences.
The Frozen States: Numbness and Disconnection
When trauma hits, it can feel like plunging into icy waters—sudden, shocking and overwhelming.
For many, the immediate response to trauma is a kind of emotional freezing. This is the body and mind’s natural defense mechanism, a way of insulating against the full impact of the traumatic event.
Numbness, disconnection, and dissociation are common in this phase, where the person might feel detached from their surroundings or emotions.
This frozen state can persist long after the traumatic event, leading to what is often described as a "cold" emotional existence.
Those affected may find it difficult to connect with others, experience joy, or even recognize their own feelings.
The chilling effect of trauma can leave one feeling isolated, as if they are living in a world apart from others, unable to thaw out and fully re-engage with life.
The Burning Sensation: Anger and Anxiety
On the other end of the spectrum, trauma can ignite intense emotional fires.
This 'hot' side of trauma manifests as anger, anxiety and hyperarousal. The person may feel like they are constantly on edge, their body and mind reacting as if the trauma is still occurring.
This can lead to explosive outbursts of anger or deep, smoldering resentment that can flare up unexpectedly.
Anxiety, too, burns with an intensity that can be difficult to control. It’s the feeling of being chased by flames, constantly under threat, and never finding a safe place to rest.
This heightened state of alertness, known as hypervigilance, is a common symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and can make even the most mundane situations feel dangerous.
The Oscillation: Moving Between Extremes
For many, trauma is not experienced at a consistent 'temperature.' Instead, individuals may oscillate between emotional extremes, moving from the freezing numbness of disconnection to the burning intensity of anger and anxiety.
This fluctuation can be exhausting, leaving the person feeling out of control and overwhelmed.
This emotional oscillation is often tied to triggers—events, sounds, smells, or even thoughts that can suddenly shift the emotional climate.
A person might feel fine one moment, only to be thrown into a panic or plunged into numbness the next.
Understanding and recognizing these triggers is a crucial step in managing the temperature of trauma.
Finding Balance: Healing and Regulation
Healing from trauma involves finding a balance, a way to regulate these extreme emotional temperatures.
This is where trauma-informed therapy can play a crucial role.
Through techniques such as grounding, mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy, individuals can learn to modulate their emotional responses, bringing the temperature of their trauma into a more manageable range.
Just as we dress appropriately for different weather conditions, those healing from trauma learn to equip themselves with the tools and strategies they need to face their emotional climates.
With time, support, and therapeutic intervention, the temperature of trauma can shift from extremes to a more temperate, livable state.
The goal is not to erase the trauma, but to manage it in a way that allows for a fulfilling, connected life.
How Therapy Can Help You Deal With Trauma
In your journey of healing, remember that the temperature of trauma is not fixed.
It can be influenced, managed and ultimately, brought to a place where it no longer controls your life.
If this feels like a helpful way in which to understand some of your emotional experience and you would like further support in attuning to your internal temperatures then please reach out to me.
You can do this via the contact form on my website and we can arrange an initial therapy session in my Exeter Counselling Office to see if you feel comfortable moving forward.
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