Special Guest: Dr. Jody Adewale, Clinical Psychologist
Epigenetic Trauma: Trauma can be passed down from one generation to another.
Trauma from slavery has been passed down to African-Americans throughout communities.
Secondary Trauma: (example) The parents were traumatized and the child experiences similar symptoms that the parents expressed (anxiety & depression).
How do we start to heal? Acknowledge the pain and then reach out for support.
Epigenetic Trauma: Trauma can be passed down from one generation to another.
Trauma from slavery has been passed down to African-Americans throughout communities.
Secondary Trauma: (example) The parents were traumatized and the child experiences similar symptoms that the parents expressed (anxiety & depression).
How do we start to heal? Acknowledge the pain and then reach out for support.
Deconstruct the idea that,
reaching out for help is weakness.
reaching out for help is weakness.
Question from Karen:
"Are there some signs that people are walking around numb with Novocain in their spirit?"
"Are there some signs that people are walking around numb with Novocain in their spirit?"
Dr. Adewale: Substance abuse. Smoking weed a lot, drinking a lot, or using substances to get through the day. If you need a drink every night to unwind, ask yourself, 'Why do I need this substance to unwind? Am I walking around at an 8, when everyone else is at a 2 and I need something to help bring me back down to a 2?'.
Another behavioral sign is agitation. If you're feeling agitated and irritable all the time. If you find yourself engaging in relationships and there's constant hostility in your life. If you find yourself engaging in destructive behavior, hyper-sexual, or isolating yourself from peers.
Ways to get help:
1) If dealing with a substance abuse, get into a drug or alcohol treatment program first. (example, Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous)
1) If dealing with a substance abuse, get into a drug or alcohol treatment program first. (example, Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous)
You can't treat a mental health issue,
if it's covered up by drugs and alcohol.
if it's covered up by drugs and alcohol.
2) Call the back of your insurance card. Visit the Psychology Today website and type in your zip code. It will list all of the providers in a 10-mile radius.
3) Find someone to talk to that you can trust. They don't need a master's degree or a doctorate. Talk to your sister, brother, co-worker, etc.
4) Exercise. Take in deep breaths. Put on music that you like. Stare at a picture.
3) Find someone to talk to that you can trust. They don't need a master's degree or a doctorate. Talk to your sister, brother, co-worker, etc.
4) Exercise. Take in deep breaths. Put on music that you like. Stare at a picture.
Find time to take a break from life.
Find things that feed your soul.
Find things that feed your soul.