Episode 34: The Complex Link Between Empathy and Childhood Trauma Survivors

Peggy Oliveira Author

Episode Description:

This episode originally aired on YouTube.

As survivors of childhood trauma we often develop a heightened sense of empathy as a result of our experiences.

This empathy can be a beautiful quality within us, creating deep compassion for others.

However, particularly if there is an aspect of denial around our experiences, impact, or emotions, empathy can morph into another way of coping that can lead to additional challenges, especially in relationships.

In today’s episode I talk about how empathy manifests in the lives of childhood trauma survivors and how it can become problematic.

Do you see yourself in any of the things I shared?

Don’t want to wait for the next episode? Head over to my YouTube Channel, PegygOliveiraMSW, with over 300 videos about Impact & Healing from Childhood Trauma.

If you have a question you’d like me to answer related to healing from childhood or emotional trauma, please send to qanda@courageousjourneys.com

This podcast is for informational purposes and is not mental health advice nor a replacement for professional mental health treatment.

Episode Notes:

- In this episode, I talk about the concept of hypervigilance, which is a coping mechanism that survivors of childhood trauma often develop to protect themselves and feel safe.
- We explore the idea of being an empath, where individuals pick up on other people's energy and emotions, but note that this ability is often a result of childhood trauma experiences.
- The constant scanning of one's surroundings and the people in their environment is a survival strategy developed in childhood due to a lack of feeling safe.
- Trauma survivors can project their own fears and insecurities onto others, making it challenging to connect with people genuinely.
- I emphasize the importance of maintaining empathy while being aware of potential projections and disconnections, and it encourages individuals to be more gentle with themselves and explore deeper healing.

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Categories: Podcast