Why do clients smile when talking about trauma?

Smiling when discussing trauma is a way to minimize the traumatic experience. It communicates the notion that what happened “wasn't so bad.” This is a common strategy that trauma survivors use in an attempt to maintain a connection to caretakers who were their perpetrators.

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Why do people smile when traumatized?

Laughing or smiling is a way to say, “Let's move on and talk about something else.” Many survivors don't have enough ego-strength or self-esteem to trust that they merit guidance, attention, and validation. Smiling is a way to communicate that they don't have the tools to manage “negative” emotions.

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Why do people smile when talking about something sad?

“It could be that that smile during that negative scenario signals to others that you're open for them to approach you, maybe for comfort, maybe to distract you from whatever sadness is going on for you,” she said. See more from the “Every Little Thing” podcast.

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Why does it feel good to talk about trauma?

Whether it's validation, understanding, being seen, or empathy, talking with someone (or many someones) who gets it rids survivors of feelings of isolation. To “process” a trauma essentially means to make sense of it. Trauma doesn't make sense—it's a mess of emotions and reactions and questions.

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What is the people pleaser response to trauma?

A fourth, less discussed, response to trauma is called fawning, or people-pleasing. The fawn response is a coping mechanism in which individuals develop people-pleasing behaviors to avoid conflict, pacify their abusers, and create a sense of safety.

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Smiling or Laughing When Sad or Angry. Saying Sorry Compulsively. Codependents' Fear of Authenticity

33 related questions found

What is the fawning response to trauma?

Fawning is a trauma response that uses people-pleasing behavior to appease or supplicate an aggressor, avoid conflict, and ensure safety. This trauma response is exceedingly common, especially in complex trauma survivors, and often gets overlooked.

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What triggers people pleasers?

Causes of people-pleasing

Low self-esteem: People who feel they are worth less than others may feel their needs are unimportant. They may advocate for themselves less or have less awareness of what they want. They may also feel that they have no purpose if they cannot help others.

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Does talking about trauma traumatize you?

When somebody experiences a traumatic event, they're often supported by people in social work, legal and clinical contexts who ask them repeatedly to recount their personal stories. This retelling of these events can exacerbate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and potentially re-traumatize the person.

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Is it best to make someone talk about trauma right away?

Talking about the trauma can be important

Allow the person to talk about what happened, even if they become upset. Just be calm yourself and listen carefully – getting upset too doesn't help. Don't insist on talking if the person doesn't want to. They may need time to be alone with their thoughts.

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Are trauma responses healthy?

Traumatic experiences

It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions following a distressing event. On most occasions though, these reactions subside as a part of the body's natural healing and recovery process. There are many things you can do to help cope with and recover from such an experience.

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Why do people smile when talking about something serious?

That's because we typically want to express warmth and connection. So when you stand up to speak and you smile at your audience, they will probably smile back. This will initiate a subconscious and powerful connection.

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Is smiling when sad a coping mechanism?

Smiling depression is appearing happy to others while internally suffering with depressive symptoms. The smile and external façade is a defense mechanism. Suicide can be a particular threat for individuals suffering with smiling depression.

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Do people smile when they are depressed?

But it's a very real condition. Mental health professionals use the term when you're depressed or anxious but look and act happy. If you have smiling depression, you might tell others that you feel fine and power through your daily activities as usual.

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Why do people smile as a coping mechanism?

Smiling reduces stress. Stress and anxiety can be ongoing challenges, but smiling more often helps the mind and body release stress naturally. Smiling helps reduce stress-induced hormones in the bloodstream, which helps avoid adrenal fatigue. Smiling enhances positive emotions.

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Is smiling a psychological response?

Your Body Releases Good Hormones

Your body releases three hormones that make you feel good when you smile. They include dopamine, endorphins and serotonin. These signal to your body that you're happy, and in turn, you feel happier.

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Is smiling a defense mechanism?

Smiling may act as a protective mechanism to avoid alienation by others who are not comfortable with distress. Smiling may act to reconnect to the part of themselves that previously the “happy self.” The smile may be a mask to protect the person against the chronic nature of their experience.

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What not to say to trauma survivors?

Things Never to Say to Trauma Survivors
  • It's Time to Move On.
  • It could not have been that bad.
  • Stop Being Negative.
  • If You Continue Dwelling On It, Then You'll Never Move On.
  • Do You Think You'll Ever Stop Being Depressed?
  • You're a Survivor, So Quit Being a Victim.
  • It Could Always Be Worse.

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What is trauma dumping?

“Trauma dumping is the unfiltered sharing of strong emotions or upsetting experiences without permission from the listener.” – Talkspace therapist Dr. Olga Molina, D.S.W., LCSW.

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What should you not say to trauma victims?

Compounding Trauma: What Not To Say

Some of the worst responses are those which can compound shame and self-doubt, even if they're well-intentioned. Young says statements such as “you'll get over it”, “it wasn't that bad” or “what's wrong with you?” can be particularly damaging.

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Do people with PTSD like to talk about their trauma?

Don't pressure your loved one into talking.

It can be very difficult for people with PTSD to talk about their traumatic experiences. For some, it can even make them feel worse. Instead, let them know you're willing to listen when they want to talk, or just hang out when they don't.

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How does a traumatized person act?

Initial reactions to trauma can include exhaustion, confusion, sadness, anxiety, agitation, numbness, dissociation, confusion, physical arousal, and blunted affect. Most responses are normal in that they affect most survivors and are socially acceptable, psychologically effective, and self-limited.

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Do people with PTSD want to talk about their trauma?

It can be hard for people with PTSD to talk about their trauma, even with people they love. Let your loved one know that you understand if they don't want to share everything — and that you'll be there to listen when they're ready. Be a good listener.

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What personality type is the biggest people pleaser?

INFP: People-pleasing

The biggest turn-off for INFPs is people-pleasing. INFPs are independent and individualistic in their beliefs and values. They want people to be authentic and true to themselves, even if they risk offending others.

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What mental illness do people pleasers have?

The tendency to please is related to Dependent Personality Disorder. While the people-pleaser may not need others to do things for them, they do have a need for others, regardless. The pleasing personality is also related to the Masochistic Personality type, which also corresponds with Dependent Personality.

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What is a toxic people pleaser?

People Pleasers spend so much time and effort in taking care of others. Unfortunately, they often do not establish good social support for themselves. They also find it hard to give up control and let other people take care of them. While taking care of others in noble and rewarding, it can also be toxic and unhealthy.

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