The link between all of these events is the deep meaning that they have. They all produce a strong emotional reaction of fear, distress or both. We feel that something we value is about to be taken away. Break ups take away the love of a partner. We fear we won’t see them again and won’t ever find love. Job losses take away financial security. We fear that loss of income will ruin our lives if we can’t pay bills or the rent. Terror attacks take away feeling of personal security. We fear that one day it could be us, or someone with love, caught up in an event. People outside of these events see this fear as irrational. Yet, this fear can be crippling, stopping us for functioning in day-to-day life and placing a skewed view on personal situations.
This fear and anxiety is also the result of a feeling of inescapability. There is that sense that not only is there loss and change, that this situation doesn’t have an obvious solution. The harsh finality of a divorce, bereavement or redundancy makes it difficult to see a means of escape. This is even more true for those that have experienced trauma before. The landscape of the brain alters after a traumatic event, making it more susceptible in the future.
