The Part of Trauma that can’t be Verbalized with Scam Victims

Principal Category: Psychological Trauma

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Non-verbal trauma in scam victims refers to the deep, unarticulated aspects of their traumatic experience, often stored in the body and subconscious mind. This type of trauma manifests in physical symptoms, emotional responses, and behaviors that victims may struggle to express in words. It can include unexplained physical pain, emotional numbness, or intense feelings of fear and anxiety that arise without clear triggers. The inability to verbalize this trauma can complicate recovery, as it hinders effective communication in therapy and with loved ones, often leading to feelings of isolation and prolonging the healing process. Understanding and addressing these non-verbal aspects through appropriate therapeutic approaches is crucial for the victim’s recovery, helping them regain a sense of control and emotional stability.

The Part of Trauma that can’t be Verbalized Refers to the Deep, Non-Verbal Aspects of Traumatic Experiences for Scam Victims

The part of trauma that can’t be verbalized often refers to the deep, non-verbal aspects of traumatic experiences that are stored in the body and mind in ways that are beyond conscious awareness or linguistic expression. These are sometimes called “implicit memories” or “somatic memories,” and they are experienced as physical sensations, emotions, or images rather than as coherent thoughts or verbal narratives.

Key Aspects of Non-Verbal Trauma

Somatic Memory: Trauma can be stored in the body as physical sensations or pain that are not easily explained by words. This can include things like tightness in the chest, stomach discomfort, or muscle tension that is linked to the trauma but not consciously remembered.

Emotional Memory: Intense emotions tied to trauma may resurface without a clear understanding of their origin. Victims might feel overwhelming fear, anger, or sadness triggered by situations that unconsciously remind them of the trauma.

Flashbacks and Triggers: People who have experienced trauma may have flashbacks that are more about reliving sensory experiences (smells, sounds, sights) rather than recalling a story. These can be deeply distressing and are difficult to put into words because they are experienced in a raw, unfiltered way.

Dissociation: Traumatic events can cause dissociation, where a person feels detached from their body or emotions. This disconnection makes it difficult to articulate what happened or how they feel, as their consciousness is split from the experience.

Why Trauma Is Hard to Verbalize

Impact on Brain Function: Trauma affects areas of the brain such as the amygdala (emotion processing) and hippocampus (memory formation). During traumatic events, the brain’s language centers may become less active, leading to fragmented memories that are difficult to articulate.

Implicit vs. Explicit Memory: Traumatic memories are often stored in the brain differently than regular memories. While explicit memories can be consciously recalled and described, implicit memories are more sensory and emotional, and they are harder to bring into verbal awareness.

Shame and Guilt: Victims of trauma often feel a deep sense of shame or guilt that can make it hard to talk about their experiences. These feelings can silence individuals, making it difficult for them to process their trauma verbally.

Non-Verbal Trauma in Scam Victims

For scam victims, the parts of trauma that can’t be verbalized often manifest in ways that are deeply embedded in their emotional and physical responses, making recovery particularly challenging. These non-verbalized aspects of trauma can have profound implications for how victims process their experiences and ultimately heal from them.

Non-verbal trauma in scam victims refers to the deep psychological wounds that manifest not through words but through physical symptoms, emotional responses, and behaviors. These aspects of trauma are often harder to identify and articulate, making them particularly challenging for victims to address and for others to understand. When a scam victim undergoes a traumatic experience, the brain and body respond in ways that may bypass the verbal centers, leaving the individual with feelings and sensations that are difficult to express or even comprehend fully.

This kind of trauma can result in a range of symptoms, from unexplained physical pain and fatigue to emotional numbness and dissociation. For many scam victims, these non-verbal aspects of trauma are rooted in the intense fear, betrayal, and violation they felt during the scam. The brain’s natural defense mechanisms may suppress these overwhelming emotions, leading to fragmented memories and sensations that resurface in unpredictable ways. Understanding and addressing non-verbal trauma is crucial for helping scam victims to fully recover and regain a sense of control and safety in their lives.

How Non-Verbal Trauma Manifests in Scam Victims

Somatic Symptoms

Physical Discomfort: Scam victims may experience unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, or muscle tension that are directly linked to the stress and fear they felt during the scam. These sensations are often hard to describe and are not consciously linked to the trauma.

Fatigue: Constant exhaustion or fatigue can result from the body’s prolonged fight-or-flight response, which was triggered by the scam and is now ingrained in the victim’s physical state.

Emotional Dysregulation

Overwhelming Emotions: Victims might feel intense emotions like anger, sadness, or anxiety without being able to articulate why they feel this way. These emotions are tied to the trauma but are not easily expressed in words.

Emotional Numbing: In some cases, victims may become emotionally numb as a defense mechanism, unable to feel or express emotions that are too painful to confront directly.

Flashbacks and Intrusive Thoughts

Sensory Flashbacks: Scam victims might experience vivid sensory memories, such as hearing the scammer’s voice or feeling the same fear they did during the scam. These flashbacks are not always connected to conscious memories and can be hard to verbalize.

Intrusive Thoughts: Victims might have recurring, distressing thoughts related to the scam that are difficult to put into words or explain, leading to confusion and distress.

Dissociation

Feeling Detached: Victims may feel disconnected from their own body or emotions, as if they are watching themselves from the outside. This dissociation can make it difficult for them to articulate their feelings or experiences, as they are not fully “present” in their own minds.

Implications for Recovery

Difficulty in Seeking Help

Struggles with Expression: Because much of the trauma is non-verbal, victims may struggle to explain their experiences to therapists or support groups. This can lead to frustration and a feeling of being misunderstood, which can hinder the recovery process.

Isolation: The inability to articulate their trauma can lead to further isolation, as victims may feel that no one understands what they are going through.

Challenges in Therapy

Barriers to Traditional Talk Therapy: Traditional therapy that relies on verbal expression might not fully address these non-verbal aspects of trauma. Victims may need alternative therapeutic approaches, such as somatic therapy or EMDR, which are designed to work with the body and the brain’s non-verbal trauma responses.

Longer Recovery Time: The deep-seated nature of non-verbal trauma means that recovery can take longer, as victims need to learn how to access and process these aspects of their trauma in ways that go beyond verbal discussion.

Impact on Relationships

Communication Issues: The struggle to verbalize trauma can lead to difficulties in personal relationships. Victims might find it hard to communicate their needs or explain their behaviors to loved ones, leading to misunderstandings and conflict.

Trust Issues: The non-verbal trauma can also manifest as deep-seated trust issues, where the victim finds it difficult to trust others, even those who are trying to help them recover.

Addressing Non-Verbal Trauma

Therapies such as somatic experiencing, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) are designed to help individuals process and integrate these non-verbal aspects of trauma, allowing them to eventually verbalize and make sense of their experiences in a therapeutic setting.

Moving Forward

Understanding that trauma doesn’t always manifest in words is crucial for scam victims and those supporting them. Incorporating therapies that address both the mind and the body, such as somatic therapy, mindfulness practices, or trauma-informed yoga, can be highly beneficial. Recognizing and addressing these non-verbal aspects of trauma is essential for a full and comprehensive recovery, helping victims to regain a sense of safety and control over their lives.

Statement About Victim Blaming

Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.

These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.

Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology, neurology, and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in these articles is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

Also, please read our SCARS Institute Statement About Professional Care for Scam Victims – here

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.

SCARS Resources:

• • For New Victims of Relationship Scams www.ScamVictimsSupport.org
  • Enroll in SCARS Scam Survivor’s School for FREE – visit www.SCARSeducation.org to register – FREE for scam victims/survivors
  • Sign up for SCARS professional Support & Recovery Groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
  • Find competent Trauma Counselors or Therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
  • Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
  • Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
  • Learn More about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
  • Scammer Photos on ScammerPhotos.com [Not Recommended for Recent Scam Victims]
  • SCARS Videos youtube.AgainstScams.org
  • Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org

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