Something Scary Happened the Other Day, and I Wanted to Talk About It With You (and a PhD Trauma Researcher)

A few days ago, I was the witness to a very tragic accident, and the experience affected me very deeply. I reached out to a renowned trauma specialist, and the advice she gave me changed my life. In this episode, you will hear that incredible advice because she allowed me to record it. Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald, PhD, a best-selling author and professor, reveals the 5 essential things you need to know about trauma so you can finally move forward with your life. Listen, and I will help you pick up the remote control for your brain and turn OFF the trauma loop. What’s the trauma loop? You may be in it and not know it: if you get triggered and have no idea why (and this expert says we almost never know why), have flashbacks playing in your head over and over again, the trauma loop is at play. With the help of our expert, Dr. MaryCatherine, you and I unpack (in real time) the accident I witnessed and how it affected me. With compassion and clarity, she explains what trauma really is and how to heal from it. You will learn and benefit from her decades of research and clinical experience. And she’ll help you understand what steps you need to take so that your brain does not store an experience as "trauma". Dr. McDonald is one of the few experts who explains trauma and how to heal it in a way that is easy to understand, and her 5 truths will change the way you relate to yourself forever. The strategies and science in this episode will help you: Know what to do 4–24 hours after the traumatic event occurs. Understand the ‘trauma loop’ so you can identify when you are stuck and how to get out. Properly process traumatic events, even if they were deep in the past. Spot myths about trauma that even psychologists don’t understand. Know what narrative psychology is and why it’s proven to work. Uncover and heal from your flashbacks, looped thoughts, and triggers. Learn why you and your siblings have different memories of the same events. How to calm your nervous system and be present with your emotions. This episode could change your life. And it is absolutely one you want to share with anyone who could benefit from Dr. MaryCatherine’s expertise. And I want to be upfront with you: yes, today’s episode is powerful, and it’s also a serious topic. If this isn’t the right time for you to listen, I understand completely. Just bookmark it so you can come back to it later. I’m not going anywhere. Xo, Mel In this episode, you’ll learn: 01:44: The very scary moment that left me feeling traumatized. 06:19: Full panic hit me at this exact moment. 11:26: What narrative psychology is and why it’s proven to work. 14:10: Understand the ‘trauma loop’ so you can identify when you are stuck. 17:41: How your brain processes a normal event or memory. 19:38: How your brain processes a traumatic event. 23:08: Uncover why you have flashbacks, looped thoughts, and triggers. 27:32: How EMDR can integrate traumatic memories properly. 30:29: Why do you and your siblings have different memories of the same events. 37:28: Why feeling shame around a trauma response is normal. 41:52: Three ways to calm your nervous system and be present with your emotions. 44:26: The biggest myth about triggers that even psychologists get wrong. Disclaimer

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You can change your life and Mel Robbins will show you how. Mel Robbins is one of the world’s most widely booked and followed podcast hosts and authors. She’s trusted by the world’s leading brands and medical professionals who use her research-backed tools and strategies in clinical and corporate settings. She’s amassed millions of followers online, with her videos going viral almost daily. 143 Studios Inc., her female-led media company, produces provocative and award-winning content with unprecedented results: millions of books sold, billions of video views, seven #1 audiobooks, and original courses and programming for clients like Starbucks, JP Morgan Chase, LinkedIn, Spotify, Headspace, and Audible. Mel’s work has been translated into 41 languages, her podcast is syndicated in 194 countries, and her TEDx Talk is one of the most viewed of all time. A New York Times bestselling author and self-publishing phenom, Mel’s work includes The High 5 Habit and The 5 Second Rule. Most importantly, her science-backed tools and relatable advice have changed the lives of millions of people worldwide. Despite all this, Mel is one of the most down-to-earth and caring people you’ll ever meet. The person you see every day online is exactly the same in real life. Probably because she learned everything she teaches the hard way: by first screwing up her own life, and out of necessity, discovering the tools and research that transformed her life and got her to where she is today. In The Mel Robbins Podcast, Mel gets more personal than ever, welcoming you into her life and taking you behind the scenes in real time. Every episode is packed with deeply relatable topics, tactical advice, hilarious screwups, compelling conversations, and the tools and inspiration you need to create a better life. Tune in and buckle up – your life is about to change. New episodes of The Mel Robbins Podcast drop every Monday and Thursday. To learn more about Mel, go deeper into every episode, find the resources and research she mentions, or submit a topic or question, check out https://www.melrobbins.com. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes.