Shock Before Trauma: The Science of Deep Brain Reorienting

The podcast explores Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), a trauma therapy developed by Dr. Frank Corrigan, focusing on the concept of "shock" as a brainstem response preceding emotional and autonomic reactions. Dr. Corrigan details the evolution of DBR, emphasizing its effectiveness for severely traumatized individuals without causing overwhelm, and its roots in his observations of suicidal patients with trauma histories. A key element involves identifying "orienting tension" to anchor processing and mitigate overwhelm. The discussion covers the importance of locating the "where self" to orient to the present moment, and the role of the periaqueductal gray and superior colliculi in processing trauma. Dr. Corrigan suggests DBR addresses the shock impact on upper brain structures, potentially changing treatment approaches for complex PTSD and dissociative disorders.