Interoception, a sense that allows us to perceive internal bodily sensations, is an often overlooked focus for trauma support for PTSD survivors. Unfortunately, PTSD and trauma often alter perceptions and relationship with the body and its interoceptive signals.
Unlike other westernized mindfulness practices, which assume a safe relationship with the body, my interoception resources re-introduce clients to their bodies in slow and gentle ways with the goal of (re)developing a better understanding of their body’s signals.
As an occupational therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how reconnecting with this inner sense of interoception can transform the healing journey for those coping with the aftermath of trauma. PTSD can impact one’s ability to notice, interpret and/or respond to bodily signals, making emotional and physical regulation a significant challenge.
But here’s the good news: Individuals can regain control over their bodies and emotions by incorporating interoceptive exercises that we teach in our training courses. For instance, my Interoception-Based Approach for Supporting Traumatized Learners walks clinicians through steps that can be used to help clients feel safe and regulated as they explore and connect with their body signals and emotions.
Whether you’re a professional in the mental health or healthcare field, a caregiver, or a self-helper, understanding and utilizing the interoceptive techniques I have developed can empower meaningful strides toward reconnection. Let’s dive into how these practices can pave the way for healing and well-being.
Understanding Interoception and PTSD
Interoception—which underlies the ability to feel what’s happening inside our bodies—is integral to how we perceive and manage anxiety, sadness, anger, and other emotional states. Our understanding of interoception’s role within the context of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has come a long way in recent years. We now have emerging research that attests to the profound impact of interoceptive differences in PTSD and underscores the importance of this once-underemphasized sense in trauma recovery.
Inner Sense and Emotional Regulation
Interoception plays a pivotal role in emotional regulation, especially for those navigating PTSD recovery. This inner sense allows individuals to perceive bodily sensations, like a racing heart or tense muscles, which are often early indicators of emotional shifts.
For PTSD survivors, these signals can become muddled due to trauma, making it challenging to identify and manage emotions effectively. By focusing on interoceptive awareness, individuals can learn to recognize these bodily cues, providing a pathway to emotional stability.
My courses include interoceptive exercises that are designed to help individuals gradually tune into their body’s signals in a way that feels safe, unlike traditional westernized mindfulness, which many times assumes a safe relationship with the body and the inner experience. Our interoception strategies foster a deeper understanding of the emotional landscape and enables better self-regulation. By enhancing interoceptive skills, PTSD survivors can achieve greater emotional control and understanding, leading to improved well-being and resilience in their healing journey.
PTSD’s Impact on Bodily Awareness
PTSD can significantly disrupt an individual’s bodily awareness, a crucial aspect of interoception. Traumatic events often lead to a disconnection from one’s body, causing individuals to lose touch with their internal sensations. This disconnection can make it difficult to identify basic needs like hunger or fatigue, as well as emotional states such as anxiety.
For people with PTSD, this disruption in bodily awareness can hinder their ability to respond effectively to stressors, potentially exacerbating anxiety and other symptoms. These disruptions can include:
- An inner experience that is muted or intense, resulting in a breakdown in noticing body signals
- Difficulty interpreting body signals
- Difficulty regulating body signals effectively
Slowly exploring body signals through interoceptive practices can be empowering. Traditional westernized mindfulness techniques, such as body scans, can be difficult or overwhelming when you struggle to notice, interpret or regulate what your body is telling you.
My interoceptive practices, some of which can be learned in The Interoception Curriculum, instead gradually tune clients back into their bodily cues and sensations often one body part at a time. This allows individuals to begin to reclaim a connection with their physical and emotional states, fostering healing and resilience in their journey toward PTSD recovery.
Practices for Healing and Recovery
Individuals can improve their capacity to notice and trust their body’s signals, enabling better regulation of emotions and increasing resilience to stress. Over time, these exercises can be instrumental in aiding trauma support for PTSD survivors. By enhancing their interoceptive awareness, individuals affected by PTSD can regain a sense of control, promoting overall mental health and reconnection with the body.
Sensory Training for Body Reconnection
Sensory training exercises are vital for rekindling the connection between the mind and body, especially in those healing from PTSD. Traumatized learners can experience discomfort when faced with bodily sensations. This is why westernized body mindfulness exercises can sometimes fall short for clients dealing with PTSD.
For instance, a simple yet effective interoceptive exercise involves focusing on the sensations in your feet as they make contact with the ground. This practice encourages body mindfulness and helps anchor individuals in the present moment, reducing feelings of dissociation.
However, trauma may interfere with locating these sensations or produce discomfort when focusing. This is where my courses, such as An Interoception-Based Approach For Supporting Traumatized Learners, can come into play. Providing co-regulation and a slow introduction to more difficult sensations can offer a safe and comfortable path toward self-awareness and connection.
Through consistent practice, sensory training can help therapy for PTSD survivors focus on rebuilding their bodily awareness, providing a pathway to better emotional regulation. By embracing these exercises, individuals can gradually regain control over their physical experiences, promoting a deeper sense of presence and well-being in their daily lives.
Discovering the Tools to Help with the Interoception Journey
I have worked with many people who continue to deal with the long-term effects of PTSD, and I have found interoception to be one of the most useful tools in my work. When focusing your therapy on trauma support for PTSD survivors, this inner sense can provide incredible results in finding peace and comfort – let’s get started together!
