Facilitation of spontaneous healing in an ageing individual presenting with Complex PTSD : a SHIP® perspective

Abstract

Trauma does not reside in events themselves but is the result of the subjective perception of individuals of a threat(s), which sets in motion autonomic physiological processes that enable a fight or flight response. Trauma produces profound changes in the psychobiological system of individuals and manifests as a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or a Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Psychotherapists in a “uniconsciousness” approach deal with traumatised clients from a cognitivebehavioural, interpersonal or problem-solving perspective. In contrast, psychotherapy from a biopsychosocial perspective, approaches psychotherapy with traumatised clients from a “multi-consciousness” perspective. A multi-consciousness perspective explains complex trauma manifestations as a multisystem dis-ease. The aim of this research was to describe the facilitation of spontaneous healing in an ageing female individual (46 years) presenting with C-PTSD from a SHIP® perspective by using her experiences before psychotherapy while observing shifts during and on completion of psychotherapy. SHIP® proposes that traumatised clients are in a continuous process of spontaneous healing and autonomic self-regulation to restore their psycho-biodynamic balance. In applying SHIP®, psychotherapists use intra-translators and inter-translators. An intra-translator refers to an internal individual specific field (ISF), which manifests as repetitive and/or intense somatic sensations or feelings. Inter-translators are the verbalisation of projection statements concerning a specific issue in relation to people and the environment (external ISFs). This study was approached from a descriptive and explanatory perspective. Qualitative research and a single case study design were chosen. The participant was exposed to developmental trauma and a variety of subtle and shock trauma-activating events over her lifespan (more than 15 incidents). On completion of psychotherapy that spanned over seven years, the verbatim process notes of the 127 SHIP® sessions, a life sketch and a personal reflection of the participant on the process of psychotherapy were used as data. Data were analysed using key SHIP® constructs to conduct a deductive category application after which a thematic analysis was conducted to identify experiences and shifts. Experiences before therapy were related to several intra-translators (more than 17) indicating somatic dis-ease, such as fibroids; chronic lower back pain; nightmares; anxiety attacks; an exaggerated startle response; and feelings, such as helplessness, anxiety and unworthiness. Several repetitive projection issue statements were identified. Shifts during psychotherapy were noticed in 1) the movement from the acute trauma-activating event to developmental trauma indicating that old unresolved residual trauma energy was still lodged in the system of the participant; 2) in the here-and-now of the psychotherapeutic context through spontaneous healing reactions (SHRs), which enabled the participant to discharge on-hold activation energy and through integration; 3) in relation to activators when previous stimuli no longer activated the neurobiological system of the participant; and 4) by reconnecting the disconnected biopsychosocial system of the participant, which manifested as a relief of somatic distress, an ability to regulate emotions, improved attention and cognition, a changed belief system and enhanced relational regulation. This research contributes to the destigmatisation of normal reactions and expressions (symptoms) of psycho-biodynamic systems of individuals to trauma and how the, it (normal reactions and expressions) can be used as healing messages of chronic dis-ease of traumatised individuals. SHIP® − as a psychotherapeutic approach − provides a framework to deal holistically with trauma spectrum manifestation dis-ease but its effectiveness can be enhanced by including neuropsychological-based knowledge to create safety and using small amounts of activation. Despite the destructive impact of trauma on individuals as they age, it is possible to be healed and to re-connect with the part of the self and other individuals