Gut Feelings, Trauma Responses & Intuition
Navigating Your Inner Signals
Have you ever experienced a gut feeling that nudged you in a particular direction, or felt an intense reaction that felt like a warning bell?
These are examples of intuition and trauma responses, and while they might feel similar, they come from very different places. Being able to distinguish between the two is crucial for personal growth and emotional well-being.
What is Intuition?
Intuition is that quiet inner voice or gut feeling that guides you without the need for conscious reasoning. It can be a powerful tool for decision-making, as it draws from a deep well of personal experiences, instincts, and subtle cues that our brains process without us even realizing it!
Think of intuition as a soft whisper, encouraging you to explore, learn, and take healthy risks. It feels steady, calm, and confident, guiding you toward growth and creativity or warning you to proceed with caution.
What is a Trauma Response?
On the other hand, a trauma response is a reaction triggered by past traumatic experiences. It's the body's way of protecting us from perceived threats based on our history. Trauma can present itself in countless ways - a major car crash, being chronically under cared for, living in a home that demands habits of perfectionism and people pleasing, a war zone, and the list goes on.
Unlike intuition, which is rooted in calm knowing, trauma responses are fueled by fear, anxiety, or distress. You may be familiar with the terms flight or fight and freeze - these are completely normal automatic behaviors designed to keep you safe from harm.
While they can be helpful in dangerous situations, they can also interfere with your daily lives when triggered by non-threatening events.
To simplify both intuition and a trauma response, here is an example of how a non-threatening situation, starting a new relationship, can elicit two different responses based on your history.
Trauma response - You feel anxious and panicked about getting close to someone because of past relationship trauma. As a result your flight response is activated and you feel as though you need to withdraw yourself immediately.
Intuition - You have a subtle gut feeling that the relationship is not healthy because of how the other person treats you or communicates with you. This ‘cue’ was not motivated by a past event, rather it aligns with the present context.
How can I tell the difference?
Intuition and trauma responses can feel similar because they both come from a deep, inner place and can evoke strong feelings. For obvious reasons It can be very challenging to distinguish between them, so here are a couple of questions you can consider when determining whether that ‘gut feeling’ is your intuition or a trauma response -
Does this feeling come from a place of curiosity or fear? Start with the nature of your feelings. Intuition is generally curious and open, while trauma responses are more likely to be driven by fear or anxiety. If you feel panicked or overwhelmed, it's more likely a trauma response.
Is the response proportionate to the situation? Take the time to think about the context of the situation or feeling. Intuition is generally context-appropriate, while trauma responses can seem out of place or exaggerated given the current situation. If your reaction seems over-the-top compared to the circumstances, it might be a trauma response.
Does it encourage growth or avoidance? Intuition often leads to positive, growth-oriented outcomes, encouraging you to take action or explore new possibilities. Trauma responses tend to push you toward avoidance, withdrawal, or defensive behavior.
Like most things, learning to differentiate between intuition and trauma responses is a journey of self-discovery. As you become more attuned to your own feelings and reactions, you can make better decisions and create a more emotionally balanced life.
Keeping a journal of your thoughts and reactions can be a good first step to help you identify patterns and gain clarity on your emotions/feelings. You can even incorporate mindfulness, meditation, or other relaxation techniques into your day to day as they can help create a calm space within.
Remember that it's okay to take time to understand yourself and seek support when needed. You’re not alone in this journey, and with patience, you can learn to listen to your intuition while recognizing and managing trauma responses.
growgood psychology has a team of therapists ready to walk with you as you begin navigating your inner signals.
Differentiating a trauma response from intuition is difficult - When met with support that is approachable and collaborative in nature, navigating through your trauma(s) and becoming more attuned with your mind & body will feel much more attainable. This space welcomes you as you continue to grow into yourself through wholeness! You are in the driver's seat, Connect with us today to get started.