Trauma negatively affects our ability to form healthy relationships. The authors discuss different types of trauma such as complex trauma, developmental trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They provide examples of Chrisean and Blueface whose toxic relationship is affected by unhealed trauma. The authors recommend therapy and coping strategies to heal from trauma and toxic relationships. Art therapy helped one author process her past trauma and unhealthy relationships. Being trauma-informed is important to understand people's behaviors and not judge them for coping mechanisms related to their experiences.

1. Does trauma
negatively affect our
abilities to form
healthy relationships?
BY:
BRIDGET INGRAHAM, MARANDA
MARTIN & MARISA VITERITTI

2. What is trauma?
 Trauma is a term used to describe the emotional consequence that happens from living through a frightening,
disturbing or distressful event.
 Traumatic events are difficult to define because the same event may be more traumatic to some people than others,
thus, trauma is extremely unique to each person. Because events are viewed subjectively, this broad trauma definition
is more of a guideline. Everyone processes a traumatic event differently because we all face them through the lens of
prior experiences in our lives.
 Shock and denial are typical reactions to a traumatic event. Over time, these emotional responses may fade, but a
survivor may also experience reactions long-term. Which can include:
Anger
Intense feelings of fear
Persistent feelings of sadness and despair
Flashbacks
Unpredictable emotions
Physical symptoms, such as nausea and headaches
Intense feelings of guilt, as if they are somehow responsible for the event
Feelings of isolation and hopelessness

3. Types of Trauma
Complex trauma happens repetitively.
Effects of complex trauma are cumulative and
frequently transpires within a particular time frame or
within a specific relationship, and often in a specific
setting.
Ex: repetitive sexual assault, physical assault,
emotional abuse, racial inequality
Developmental trauma forms during a child’s first
three years of life. The result of abuse, neglect,
or abandonment, developmental trauma interferes
with the child’s neurological, cognitive, and
psychological development. Disrupting the victim’s
ability to attach to an adult caregiver.
Ex: Children in foster care or a child whose
parents suffer with substance abuse issues
Complex Trauma, Developmental Trauma Disorder and PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can develop after a person has been exposed to a terrifying event in which intense
physical harm occurred or was threatened. Sufferers of PTSD have persistent and frightening memories of their
incident which disrupt their ability to regulate their emotions and maintain healthy relationships.
Ex: Soldiers returning from war, victims of school shootings,
survivors of natural disasters, gang violence

4. Trauma Bonding Forms Toxic
Relationships
As an adult it may be difficult to be in a stable relationship with a man or a woman. A person may
be triggered by certain events that have occurred in their life. That person has not fully healed, they
will start to exhibit toxic traits in a relationship. This creates toxicity between the two individuals.
Chrisean and Blueface are in the public eye, because of their celebrity status. They are always under
the influence of cannabis and alcohol. The two are constantly arguing and fighting each other.
Chrisean accepts Blueface cheating on her with his child’s mother. Her response to the cheating is
sad, she believes that he still loves her because she gives him tangible items. Chrisean has created
this fantasy in her head, believing that they are made for one another.
Blueface knows how much she loves him, and he is using her. When she looks at him while
intoxicated, and under the influence of drugs. You see the pain in her eyes. Vowing to never leave
him, and fight anyone who comes too close to him That become her daily routine. At this point I
am wondering how long their relationship will last. They are both not healed from past trauma, and
one of them may end up hurt very badly.
Chrisean and Blueface recently made a music video of the two of them getting married. It was just
for clicks, and views. They are constantly being praised by young impressionable minds. The youth
are mesmerized by their union. Regarding their relationship, as "goals.” They want to follow in their
footsteps, having a toxic relationship of their own. The community is being affected by their toxic
union, and that is truly heartbreaking. Chrisean and Blueface need therapy for their past trauma.
The constant fighting one another will only lead to self-destruction.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.

5. Different Ways To Cope with
Trauma Bonds
 Therapy- art therapy, music therapy, CBT,
group therapy​
 Speaking with a therapist
 Talking with family or close friends​
 Create Self-Awareness for Yourself​
 Retail Therapy (Shopping)​
 Don’t Live in The Past
 Crying
 Journaling
 Taking up a new hobby, or revisiting old
ones
 Saying daily self-affirmations
 Breathing and stretching exercises
 Taking a vacation

6. How Art Therapy Helped My Past
Experiences With Trauma Bonding: By
Bridget
 I have experienced trauma bonding in some of my past relationships. I
believe being young and impressionable set the tone for destruction. I find
it difficult to share my personal space with others. I am an introvert, because
of my past traumas. I would rather be alone, with my thoughts. After all this
time, I have discovered that I am still triggered from memories, scents and
places.
 Appearing to be the type of person that is used to dealing with my pain
silently. I wear a mask, which is my illuminating smile. However, at times I
feel as though I am slowly losing myself. Learning how to express my pain in
a healthy manner has changed my perspective for the better.
 Art Therapy has been a way for my pain to be heard. I have found it easier
to create a form of art. I had never considered myself a person that could
create art. Painting, molding and drawing from within. I now know that you
do not have to be an artist to benefit from art therapy. I have learned to not
analyze the art I have created. I get in the flow of creating and
concentrating on a particular project, that has helped heal my pain. I have
experienced personal growth.

7. Why is this research important? (For Maranda)
 Personal experiences: My whole life, I have had issues with my identity and where I "belong". Even now, I
struggle figuring out where I fit in at Evergreen T because my whole life, I was always too white to fit in
with my Black peers and too black to fit in with my white peers
 Unhealed trauma can manifest self-doubt, anxiety, depression, personality disorders
 Who is our demographic? Who is our audience: Anybody who is experiencing or has experienced
trauma.
 Who is this research important for? Everybody! The community would benefit from this information
because even if they have recovered from their trauma, they gain insights in how they can help others
going through trauma. We have a lot of amazing organizations in Tacoma that support and help the
people of Tacoma and Tacoma youth. This is valuable information for everybody
 Being trauma informed: Recognizing when you or a loved one is experiencing trauma (knowing the
signs). Properly caring for self and others when experiencing trauma. Using healthy strategies to help
heal scars of trauma. Not being hard on yourself or others because of trauma- take as much time as
needed to go through the whole process.

8. Racialized Trauma
 Racialized trauma is a trauma that usually people of
color experience. This type of trauma is caused by the
way society views race and the different ways in which
people are treated because of their race, usually an
extension of racism.

9. My experience
with Racialized
Trauma

10. Marisa's Perspective on Trauma
 I have experienced trauma in different settings throughout my life from trauma bonding in relationships, domestic violence in
partnerships and parenting a mother who has mental health problems. Growing up with a mother who was a hoarder left an impact on
how I experience anxiety and how I am impacted in my environment and various settings. I experience triggers if I am exposed to
environments that are cluttered and unorganized.
 Unhealed trauma can manifest in repeating toxic cycles, negative feedback loops and the inability to stay healthy and perform ordinary
and day to day life skills and activities. Socializing, trust, relationships and intimacy are all negatively affected if unhealed trauma is never
acknowledged.
 This information and research can be for anyone who is looking to expand their knowledge on trauma or someone who has been
impacted by traumatic events. Those looking to support a loved one who suffers with the aftereffects of trauma or those who are
unaware of what trauma is and how it affects people
 One of our proposed solutions for people looking to support one another from those coping with trauma is being "trauma informed". In
my own words, trauma informed means being aware of how other people can respond to those who suffer from trauma. Understanding
that people who suffer from trauma can react in ways that are unhealthy and toxic because of what they have experienced. Being
empathetic, kind and supportive instead of negatively responding can help the other person to better cope with the aftereffects. I also
believe that being trauma informed means to not judge people or assume that they are "crazy" or "overdramatic" and to think about
what a person has experienced as a result of what their behavior is reflecting.
 Types of trauma therapy that I have done is EMDR( Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). It's a type of therapy that
encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye
movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. It helped me be
able to not have flashbacks of traumatic events from a previous partner and released a lot of tension in my body. Other things that have
helped me is breathing techniques and moving my body. Relaxation of the body helps to calm the body and movement helps to release
stored tension from traumatic events.

11. References
Bridget Ingraham's References
• Cathy A. Malchiodi, Art Therapy Sourcebook 2007
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjl4CSSDPvMck Chrisean Rock Finding Out She Is Pregnant
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIuhzGd0hCo Blueface &Chrisean vs Blue Face's Mom
• Blueface vs His Brother https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA6Qp_YUPWI
• Chrisean Rock vs Her Family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOupEscfEIQ
• Blueface fights Chrisean's Dad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5-bqVAzPis
Marisa's references
• https://web-s-ebscohost-com.evergreen.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=12&sid=099a4366-3dd7-4870-977c-
62af21df93ba%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=155080462&db=a9h
• https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/transformation-trauma
• https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma
• https://www.apa.org/pubs/highlights/podcasts/episode-06
Maranda's References:
• https://web-p-ebscohost-com.evergreen.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=21&sid=4795e2d4-02b5-4c4b-a672-8333ed41b47d%40redis
• https://web-p-ebscohost-com.evergreen.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=18&sid=4795e2d4-02b5-4c4b-a672-8333ed41b47d%40redis
• https://web-s-ebscohost-com.evergreen.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=3&sid=099a4366-3dd7-4870-977c-
62af21df93ba%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=EJ981263&db=eric
• https://web-p-ebscohost-com.evergreen.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=5&sid=89756ce2-3824-4236-8f1f-
b87cbf8f149d%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=33030936&db=cmedm
• https://web-p-ebscohost-com.evergreen.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=7&sid=89756ce2-3824-4236-8f1f-
b87cbf8f149d%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=157565913&db=a9h
• https://mantracare.org/therapy/ptsd-trauma/racialized-trauma/