PART II: Telltale Signs of Untreated Childhood Trauma: Secret Weapons for Healing
The following is adapted from Adele M. Gill’s new inspirational self-help book entitled, ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You,’
written with Dr. Verna Benner Carson.
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PTSD, unrelenting depression and anxiety of unknown origin, and many neuro-autoimmune disorders such as MS, MG, fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc… often goes hand-in hand, and can signal untreated childhood trauma. Untreated childhood trauma frequently goes undiagnosed, and the symptoms are treated as separate conditions and/or misdiagnosed. Medicine today most often deals with either medical or psychiatric conditions, but not both. I know this because I went to 70+ doctors before finding my doctor I have had for 25 years, in pursuit of my own wellness for the ‘trifecta.’
In my case, untreated childhood trauma caused my medical issues by damaging my neuro-autoimmune system. We certainly have a long way to go before we are able to treat people holistically in mainstream medicine--body, mind and spirit.
In my youth, while seeking solace in the face of mayhem and torment, I endured much but ultimately always turned to my faith for comfort and hope, over and again. As a child, I was not allowed to read the Bible, much less own one, as my mother said only a Catholic priest could accurately decipher what was in there. However, I got a Bible from a friend when I was thirteen and kept it under my mattress to avoid my mother’s rage and harsh punishment for not following her unreasonable, oppressive rules. Initially, I started reading the New Testament and Psalms in the Good News Bible. Reading the Bible has continued throughout my adult-life, and it brings me solace, healing, discernment, peace, and even joy, as I strive to turn to God for help through the Gospels, especially Matthew and John. These chapters are a great starting point as they are filled with encouragement, practical wisdom, and direction. Little did I know while reading the Bible in my youth that it would have such a positive healing impact in later years. Reading Scripture is how our new book came to be, entitled, ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You.’
No matter how much I have been hurting, or what I have endured, I always return to prayer, my Bible, and my Christian roots to get me through. Faith in God did not remove the fact that my early home situation was dire, but it gave me glimmers of hope that have been sustaining; and for me, praying and reading the Bible have everything to do with my being able to move from broken to blest. Though not all of the physical effects of the ‘trifecta’ from the untreated childhood have resolved, I am grateful to God to be back on track despite some limitations. I am confident that I will be fully healed one day—in God’s time—and that is good reason for great hope.
© Copyright 2018 | Adele M. Gill | Distributed by News Consortium
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Adele M. Gill is a retired RN/BSN, a board certified Disability Analyst (ABDA), a Chaplain, and the author of 3 books, including the new inspirational self-help book, ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You,’ now available on Amazon and Barnes&Noble.com. She is a tireless mental health advocate living in Maryland.
PART I: Telltale Signs of Untreated Childhood Trauma
Adapted from the new inspirational self-help book entitled, ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You’ by Adele M. Gill and Dr. Verna Benner Carson.
_____________________________________________________________
Clinical depression is on the rise in the US, with over 21 million Americans diagnosed with depression each year. Most people are able to get treatment that is readily available, including medication and/or psychotherapy. Many come to understand the origin of their depression over time, however, sometimes they only have a vague idea as to why they are experiencing persistent clinical depression, sometimes combined with what I call ‘the trifecta: ’Depression, PTSD, and a neuro-autoimmune condition, such as MS or MG or fibromyalgia, which often go hand-in-hand.
For those individuals who don’t know the origin of their depression, looking back on their childhood may be extremely helpful, even life-giving. Understanding the negative effects of untreated childhood trauma can be life-giving, even life-saving, especially when depression affects ones physical health. Here is my story involving the telltale signs of childhood trauma in my own life:
Having endured physical, sexual, and mental abuse in my youth, I came to doubt my own existence, and self-worth. Though resolved, the truth is that my self-esteem was always an issue as I grew up in poverty with my abusive schizophrenic mother, and my father who was involved in the Mafia, who took me with him while doing ‘business.’
In my youth, and later into adulthood, I felt depressed, anxious, and ‘less than’ more often than I care to admit, which colored the way I looked at myself, others, and the world at-large—but I did not understand why I felt that way. I was diagnosed with depression in early adulthood, but chose not to treat it, in part, due to the stigma associated with psychiatric illness and care, and I did not want to take depression meds. At that time, I was unsure as to why I had depression in the first place, as my life was going well and I was living my dream of becoming a wife, mother and registered nurse. But eventually I learned that it was repressed and suppressed memories related to my childhood that were making me sick.
Looking back, the mind-body illnesses I experienced could have been anticipated given my unusual, traumatic upbringing, but I was initially not yet in touch with the untreated childhood trauma I had endured. My memories were blocked until I started having flashbacks and nightmares about 10 years ago, and the root of the problem became crystal clear. It was not one event that caused the trauma and stress. It was my early family life itself, and a series of traumatic life events that made me sick physically and emotionally later in adulthood.
The enduring effects of untreated childhood trauma became so intense that I frequently felt overwhelmed, lost, and alone much of the time, having lived in daily turmoil and poverty through my youth, with little encouragement or emotional support. And that carried over into my adulthood years, as my own ‘trifecta,’ the tell-tale signs of untreated childhood trauma, rolled in over time: Unrelenting depression, childhood associated PTSD, and a serious neuro-autoimmune disorder, which often go hand in hand.
The latter is what forced me to look closely at my traumatic childhood for what it was—something I had avoided at all costs. In truth, I had little choice but to seek the truth, as my physical and emotional health depended on it. Eventually, I learned from my medical team that my autoimmune system had been damaged by the early childhood trauma, and that, in turn, was damaging my central nervous system. I finally got to the point where I could no longer deny things that had happened to me. What had transpired in my youth was making me chronically and acutely ill, both physically and emotionally, and I could no longer function in my daily life. I had met the proverbial wall, so to speak. I could not work, could not walk even short distances without long arm crutches, then a walker, then it progressed, and I was bedridden and in a wheelchair for twelve years, had blurred vision, and garbled speech much of the time. Mind-body illnesses had taken over my life and I no longer had the privilege of pushing aside the memories of the trauma that had occurred. I found myself very sick with depression, PTSD, mobility impairment, and exacerbations of respiratory muscle weakness and generalized weakness requiring a home bipap ventilator 14-16 hours per twenty four hour day.
Once my medical team and I made the connection between untreated childhood trauma and the mind-body illnesses, there was no turning back. I had to heal, and to do so, I had to face where I had been and what I had experienced in my youth, painful as it was. Though I still have neuro-autoimmune exacerbations and remissions, and frequently receive IV steroids and IVIG treatments to quell symptoms when in acute need of medical care, I now have a new life since dealing with the untreated childhood trauma.
Most of all, I have hope now. For it is only with Jesus’ help that I was able to heal from the depression and PTSD, begin to flourish, and get on with my life. I believe it was faith that healed me through the prayers of many people who prayed fervently for me and continue to this day. What a tremendous blessing…the gift of faith!
© Copyright 2018 | Adele M. Gill | Distributed by News Consortium
To be continued… See PART II:
'Telltale Signs of Untreated Childhood Trauma: Secret Weapons for Healing’
____________________________________________
Adele M. Gill resides in Maryland, is a retired RN/BSN, a board certified Disability Analyst (ABDA), a Chaplain, and co-author of the new inspirational self-help book entitled, ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You.' She is a tireless mental health advocate living in Maryland.
Telltale Signs of Untreated Childhood Trauma
http://www.theinspirationcafeblog.net
Adapted from the new inspirational self-help book entitled, ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You,’ by Adele M. Gill and Dr. Verna Benner Carson.
_________________________________________
Clinical depression is on the rise in the US, with over 21 million Americans diagnosed with depression each year. Most people are able to get treatment that is readily available, including medication and/or psychotherapy. Many come to understand the origin of their depression over time, however, sometimes they only have a vague idea as to why they are experiencing persistent clinical depression, sometimes combined with what I call ‘the trifecta: Depression, PTSD, and a neuro-autoimmune condition, such as MS or MG or fibromyalgia, which often go hand-in-hand. For those individuals who don’t know the origin of their depression, looking back on their childhood may be extremely helpful.
Understanding the negative effects of untreated childhood trauma can be life-giving, even life-saving, especially when depression affects ones physical health. Here is my story involving the telltale signs of childhood trauma in my own life: Having endured physical, sexual, and mental abuse in my youth, I came to doubt my own existence, and self-worth. Though resolved, the truth is that my self-esteem was always an issue as I grew up in poverty with my abusive schizophrenic mother, and my father who was involved in the Mafia, who took me with him while doing ‘business.’
In my youth, and later into adulthood, I felt depressed, anxious, and ‘less than’ more often than I care to admit, which colored the way I looked at myself, others, and the world at-large—but I did not understand why I felt that way. I was diagnosed with depression in early adulthood, but chose not to treat it, in part, due to the stigma associated with psychiatric illness and care, and I did not want to take depression meds. At that time, I was unsure as to why I had depression in the first place, as my life was going well and I was living my dream of becoming a wife, mother and registered nurse. But eventually I learned that it was repressed and suppressed memories related to my childhood that were making me sick.
Looking back, the mind-body illnesses I experienced could have been anticipated given my unusual, traumatic upbringing, but I was initially not yet in touch with the untreated childhood trauma I had endured. My memories were blocked until I started having flashbacks and nightmares about 10 years ago, and the root of the problem became crystal clear. It was not one event that caused the trauma and stress. It was my early family life itself, and a series of traumatic life events that made me sick physically and emotionally later in adulthood. The enduring effects of untreated childhood trauma became so intense that I frequently felt overwhelmed, lost, and alone much of the time, having lived in daily turmoil and poverty through my youth, with little encouragement or emotional support. And that carried over into my adulthood years, as my own ‘trifecta,’ the tell-tale signs of untreated childhood trauma, rolled in over time: Unrelenting depression, childhood associated PTSD, and a serious neuro-autoimmune disorder, which often go hand in hand.
The latter is what forced me to look closely at my traumatic childhood for what it was—something I had avoided at all costs. In truth, I had little choice but to seek the truth, as my physical and emotional health depended on it. Eventually, I learned from my medical team that my autoimmune system had been damaged by the early childhood trauma, and that, in turn, was damaging my central nervous system. I finally got to the point where I could no longer deny things that had happened to me. What had transpired in my youth was making me chronically and acutely ill, both physically and emotionally, and I could no longer function in my daily life. I had met the proverbial wall, so to speak. I could not work, could not walk even short distances without long arm crutches, then a walker, then it progressed, and I was bedridden and in a wheelchair for twelve years, had blurred vision, and garbled speech much of the time. Mind-body illnesses had taken over my life and I no longer had the privilege of pushing aside the memories of the trauma that had occurred. I found myself very sick with depression, PTSD, mobility impairment, and exacerbations of respiratory muscle weakness and generalized weakness requiring a home bipap ventilator 14-16 hours per twenty four hour day.
Once my medical team and I made the connection between untreated childhood trauma and the mind-body illnesses, there was no turning back. I had to heal, and to do so, I had to face where I had been and what I had experienced in my youth, painful as it was. Though I still have neuro-autoimmune exacerbations and remissions, and frequently receive IV steroids and IVIG treatments to quell symptoms when in acute need of medical care, I now have a new life since dealing with the untreated childhood trauma. Most of all, I have hope now. For it is only with Jesus’ help that I was able to heal from the depression and PTSD, begin to flourish, and get on with my life. I believe it was faith that healed me through the prayers of many people who prayed fervently for me and continue to this day. What a tremendous blessing…the gift of faith!
© Copyright 2018 | Adele M. Gill | Distributed by News Consortium
To be continued… See PART II:
Telltale Signs of Untreated Childhood Trauma: ‘Special Weapons for Healing’
____________________________________________
Adele M. Gill is a retired RN/BSN, a board certified Disability Analyst (ABDA), a Chaplain, and co-author of the new inspirational self-help book entitled, ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You.' She is a tireless mental health advocate living in Maryland.
Anyone Can Change (for the better)
As we grow in our faith, many come to understand that anyone can change for the better at any time. For many people, that belief if one of the most controversial parts of being a Christian. After all, some mistakenly think, people living in sin are not deserving of God’s love. But that could not be further from the truth.
The world is filled with people who have lived sordid lives, only to have their lives turned completely around 180 degrees by God to live blessed lives in keeping with Holy Scripture. Surely we know some—you may even be one! That is exactly what happened to St. Paul and also St. Augustine who reportedly lived a rather extravagant, elite lifestyle and went on to have a great conversion to the point of choosing to give away his significant wealth to dedicate his life completely to Christianity.
As Christians, we are not only called to love and embrace all people, we are called to love them into a relationship with Jesus Christ--What an adventure in faith-filled living! Family, friends, strangers, and enemies alike, we are to somehow find a way to love and care for others, even if our humanness tells us otherwise about the unlovable. It may involve reaching out to someone you’d rather avoid because you have a ‘history,’ whom you find offensive or uncomfortable to be with, or someone you are lacking in affection or respect for. In essence, we must put aside our feelings and differences, and reach out to others, especially to those in most need.
When we get to Heaven’s gates, there will be no opportunities for pride and boasting about being there. It is highly doubtful that we will have the privilege or inclination to say with self-righteous indignation, “What is he/she doing here!?’ Truth is, knowingly or not, we are all sinners as well as beneficiaries of the blessed grace, and generosity, of a loving, merciful God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 3:23.
Instead, may likely be asked how many people we tried to lead to Jesus Christ. Could it be our great labor, our work here on Earth, is to try our level best to live blessed lives following Jesus’ lead? To walk in gratitude to God for all our blessings, embracing the mandate of Love, and to try and help as many people as possible to get on the proverbial ‘train,’ so to speak, and help others to seek Jesus in earnest?
© Copyright Adele M. Gill 2018
BOOK UPDATES > From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You
>>> Co-author Dr. Verna Carson & I are excited about the response to our new inspirational self-help book, ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You,’ with book reviews on both Amazon Central and Authors Den websites.
>>> The winner for our Goodreads Book Giveaway is Lisa Marsh from Emmett, Idaho.
>>> *If you have read From Broken to Blest, and would like to do an Amazon book review, we’d love it! Just click on the link below to go to Amazon Book Reviews:
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The Inspiration Cafe Blog: God's Remedy
Have you ever wondered how God judges us in the end of our lives? Could it be that rather than looking at all of our brokenness, mistakes and sins, perhaps, instead he looks at our spiritual ‘bank account,’ as He reviews our ‘love account’ to see how many caring deposits we have made out over our lifespan in His Holy Name? One has to wonder. For He is a God of surprises, a patient God, one who accepts his prodigal sons and daughters back, time and again. What love!
People often ask me why I write this devotional blog, and in a word, I can say I write it to share with others about God’s enduring Love for each and every one of us. God’s Love is everlasting and unconditional, and there for all of humanity. I believe that when we embrace His Love, we are far more able to live peace-filled, loving, joy-filled lives and maximize our wellness in body, mind, and spirit. The benefits are endless!
Through prayer, with God’s help, we are better able to face insurmountable odds, and difficult situations, with far more confidence, patience, persistence, courage, and holy boldness than we could possibly muster on our own, left to our own devices. Then it is vitally important to be still, waiting for God’s loving answers to our prayers, as we wait for Him to move in our lives, while recognizing He is in control. For in solitude, with technology turned off, is where and when we can hear God’s answers to our prayers in a way we can understand. Actually, sometimes when we do too much to try to remedy situations on our own, we can get in the way of God’s working things out for the good for us, hence negatively affecting the outcome. We need to remember that regardless of what we do, we can never be separated from God as His love is enduring. I think this Bible verse really says it all about the Love of God for you and for me:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.â€
—Romans 8:38-39 (New International Version -NIV)
In essence, God’s Love for us is far greater than we can comprehend! It is interesting to note that God has given us all free will, but we must be good stewards of that divine privilege. When we seek Jesus with all our hearts, and ask Him to be in charge of our daily lives, we are agreeing to serve Him with all we have. But it is a choice each of us must make on our own. No one can ever be forced to turn to God. Yet, He stands in wait for our trusting Him, our pleading on behalf of ourselves and others, and for our gratitude for the abundant blessings that He so generously bestows on all who seek Him in earnest.
When we are willing to turn our free will over to God, everything we do, everything we are, every plan we have, every relationship, every situation; when we can hand over our concerns and weaknesses, and even our failures, to Jesus in every situation and relationship, only then can He remedy our lives, working in and through us, to effect the best outcomes and help us grow in the gift of faith.
© Copyright 2017 | Adele M. Gill
Distributed by News Consortium
