June 2022.jpeg


Peace & Love Beautiful Ones,


Welcome to the beautiful month of June. Some of us in this tribe are heading into summer, while those of us in the Southern Hemisphere are heading into winter. Wherever you maybe on this big blue planet I want you to know that you matter and you are not alone. A majority of us share something in common, we are survivors of abuse. Whatever you call it, domestic violence, domestic abuse, or intimate partner abuse, they all speak to traumatic experiences.


Trauma is not what happens to you, but rather how you react to a traumatic event. When we do not receive proper care after a traumatic event it can become PTSD, or as I like to refer to it, post traumatic stress injury. As a survivor myself, I like this term better. I do not have a disorder, my brain changed neurologically in order to protect me (pretty amazing)...I have a brain injury. I know, semantics, but the words we use to label ourselves are important. 


June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD/CPTSD) Awareness Month. I began studying trauma in order to understand how DV affected not only my adult brain, but also the brains of my developing children. Becoming trauma informed for my family helped all of us a lot. Understanding helps you to put the pieces together. They may never fit like they once did, but when you understand the 'what' and 'why' you will be grateful to your brain for protecting you. Memory loss, anxiety, overwhelm, depression, sleep issues, nightmares, ruminating thoughts, explosive anger, being to emotional or not emotional enough, and brain fog are all a result of what you have endured. The point is that you survived, and you have the opportunity to heal and grow exponentially within this supportive community. 



Not All Wounds Are Visible. 


If you haven't yet joined our private community platform you are really missing out. To have this kind of support as we each navigate the path of our individual healing is priceless. We offer courses, life coaching, support groups, a bookclub, a shop, and topic rooms galore. Everyday we have one to two dozen people joining from all around the globe. When I say you are not alone here, I truly mean it.

EHC LOGO copy.jpeg


Rebel Thriver has been a constant support for this community for 10 years

and we will continue to be here for you for many more years to come.

RT Dr. Mariel Bugue_ copy.jpg

A Brief History of PTSD:

PTSD is not a newly recognized mental disorder. The disorder dates back to 50 B.C. when it was described in a poem by Hippocrates. He talks about the experiences of a soldier returning home after a battle. PTSD started gaining more attention after the wars between England and France when many people, civilians and soldiers alike, reported experiencing symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, intrusive and disturbing thoughts, and flashbacks. This continued throughout WW1 and WW2, with PTSD being named as ‘Shell Shock’ and ‘Battle Fatigue’, respectively. It was during the 1970s’ Vietnam War that the mental disorder was renamed PTSD. Earlier treatments related to electric shock therapy and other painful options. But today’s modern technology and extensive research have led to much better and effective treatments like group therapy, counseling, and antidepressants.



What is the difference between PTSD and C-PTSD? 


PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the result of a single traumatic experience like a serious accident. It is also common among those who work in high-stress occupations, like the armed forces, emergency medics, or a crisis counselor.


While any kind of traumatic experience can cause PTSD, common events may include a:

  • car crash
  • act of sexual violence
  • war
  • natural disaster
  • terrorist event
  • death of someone close to you
  • serious injury or illness


Symptoms of PTSD usually fall into four main categories:

  • intrusion symptoms
  • avoidance symptoms
  • arousal and reactivity symptoms
  • cognition and mood symptoms



C-PTSD: Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is associated with repeated trauma that lasts months or years, often in childhood (developmental trauma).


Events that can cause C-PTSD include:

  • abuse, neglect, or abandonment
  • domestic violence or ongoing abuse
  • being tortured or kidnapped
  • living through a war for a long time


Common symptoms of C-PTSD may also include:

  • difficulties managing emotions, like anger or intense sadness
  • persistent feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
  • relationship challenges, such as trust issues, avoiding others,

     or participating in unhealthy dynamics



Therapy for PTSD and C-PTSD can help you learn more about your trauma and how it affects you, as well as offer you help to develop coping skills for triggers, and give you tools to manage your symptoms. For some, medication such as antidepressants may also be helpful to manage symptoms. One main difference between the two mental health conditions is that those living with C-PTSD may need long-term therapy and support to recover so therapeutic continuity is important. Please know that post traumatic healing and growth is possible, but understanding how you have been impacted is a big first step. 


*We have a support group for people living with Post Traumatic Stress in our Village. It's a great place to learn and connect with others.


* To learn more visit PsychCentral.com

💜


It's okay if you missed Part One,

Part Two begins June 16th in the Village. 


Bloom Where You_re Planted Part 2.jpeg


Join the Village to sign up and to receive updates on the

Bloom Where You're Planted coaching program.

I hope you join us!

Sign Up Now


*Anyone who wants to participate but cannot afford it can request

a tuition waiver.  Please send us an email: connect@rebelthriver.org

EH Grow up copy 2.jpeg

What We're Watching:

*** TRIGGER WARNING ***


When the law's don't protect you, change them


Actress Evan Rachel Wood takes her experience as a survivor of domestic violence to pursue justice, heal generational wounds, and reclaim her story in this searing documentary. Directed by Amy Berg, this two-part film chronicles Wood's volatile relationship with Brian Warner – better known as rock icon Marilyn Manson – and her journey to becoming a domestic violence advocate. This may be very triggering for some of you so please be aware. * TRIGGER WARNING *


In California, the statute of limitations for reporting a domestic violence incident is just 3 years. BUT healing is not a straight line, nor does it subscribe to a timeline. Rachel and her team worked with state politicians to create the Phoenix Act. This law hopes to create more rights for survivors not harsher punishments for perpetrators. Under specific circumstances there should be exceptions to the statute of limitations for domestic violence crimes.


The Phoenix Act strives to give victims more

time to come back from their trauma.


LEARN MORE

What we're reading in July and August:

The Keeper of Lost Things


"A charming, clever, and quietly moving debut novel of endless possibilities & joyful discoveries that explores the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us." Join Carole as she leads the discussion on this charming book. A perfect read for the summer months. It's going to be a no pressure couple of months, so come join the bookclub for interesting discussions and to have some fun! 


JOIN THE BOOKCLUB

unnamed.jpg
Image 0.0x0 copy.0.jpg

The Bulletin Board: 

JUNE BULLETIN Board .jpeg

Let's Read The Body Keeps the Score as a group! 


ImageHandler.jpg

EVERYONE IS INVITED!


On September 16th, Ella will begin to read The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in our bookclub. This is a must read for anyone who is trying to learn how trauma affects us. 

We will be going one chapter at a week coupled with a weekly Zoom discussion in the Village. We will take our time and when we finish we will pick up another book and keep going. 


"Trauma really does confront you with the best and the worst. You see the horrendous things that people do to each other, but you also see resiliency, the power of love, the power of caring, the power of commitment, the power of commitment to one's self, and the knowledge that there are things that are larger than our individual survival. And in some ways I don't think you can know the glory of life unless you have also seen the dark side of life." -Bessel van der Kolk


“In order to change, people need to become aware of their sensations and the way that their bodies interact with the world around them. Physical self-awareness is the first step in releasing the tyranny of the past.” - Bessel van der Kolk


This is going to be a really powerful experience for all who choose to join in. I want to encourage all of you to read along and join in the weekly discussions. This will take a few months, but there is no time limit on healing. All are invited to join the Book Club to participate. 


Join the Book Club! 
Hand in Hand Lavender.png


As a non-profit, we truly depend on your support. Your donations coupled with the proceeds from the sales from our shop, classes, and life coaching go directly back into the development of running our growing organization and to continue creating sustainable programs that will benefit all of you. This includes workshops, coaching, mentoring, advocacy, and education.


We cannot continue to do this very necessary work without YOU!


‘Hand in Hand’ is a common phrase heard in this tribe. No matter what you may be going through, you are not alone. No matter where you are, no matter how far, there will always be a hand here for you to hold. 


“We are all just walking each other home."


I Want to Help!
EH EH Trauma copy.png

Please Join Us in the Village:


Invite 3.jpeg

 

   I look forward to greeting you personally when you arrive. Ella xx


Join us in the Village!
PTSD.jpeg




Wherever you are right now on this big beautiful planet please know that you matter so very much. You may not feel that you are extraordinary, but you are. There is no other person in this world who is just like you. Your gifts are singularly yours. Don't be afraid to illuminate the world with them. The world needs all of us to show up, now more than ever.  


Whether you join in the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or the Rebel Thriver Blog, we welcome you & are grateful to have you with us!



Pinterest Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email