Healing From the Flames: Rebuilding Hope and Recovery After Fire
How connection and community help us heal after trauma.
Posted on Psychology Today on January 21, 2025
Key points
Trauma is less about the event itself and more about how the body and mind respond to it.
PTSD develops when trauma-related symptoms persist for more than a month and significantly disrupt daily life.
Helping the nervous system recognize that physical danger has passed is essential for recovery.
Trauma isn’t just about what happens to someone; it’s about what happens next. The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have displaced tens of thousands, caused tragic fatalities, and left many grappling with overwhelming emotions. Recovery must go beyond rebuilding homes—it must also focus on rebuilding hope. By examining the roles of community, media, and trauma-informed tools, we can explore pathways to recovery and potentially prevent trauma responses from developing into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Trauma vs. PTSD
What is trauma? Peter Levine, a renowned trauma expert, defines it as “the experience of being overwhelmed by life-threatening events, which exceed one’s capacity to process the experience at the time” (Levine, 1997). Trauma is less about the event itself and more about how the body and mind respond to it, particularly when those responses remain unresolved.
The impact of trauma can vary greatly based on factors such as age, health conditions, resilience, and available support systems. For instance, children, with their developing cognitive and emotional skills, may express distress through behavioral changes, sleep disturbances, or physical symptoms rather than through words. Adults, on the other hand, tend to have a more complex understanding of trauma but may experience amplified effects, especially if they have pre-existing mental health conditions or lack sufficient support. Recognizing these differences is essential when developing recovery strategies tailored to each individual’s age and life stage.
This distinction between trauma and PTSD is particularly important. While trauma can trigger symptoms such as sleeplessness, intrusive thoughts, and emotional numbness, these usually subside over time. PTSD, however, develops when these symptoms persist for more than a month and significantly disrupt daily life. Understanding this difference is crucial for fostering effective recovery and preventing long-term consequences.
No One Is Immune
Fires indiscriminately threaten lives, destroy homes, and uproot communities. Contrary to popular belief, the emotional toll of trauma transcends socioeconomic status. Even wealthier neighborhoods, while better equipped to rebuild, face profound emotional losses, including cherished memories, homes, and even beloved pets. Fires also worsen air quality, posing additional risks to those with health conditions like asthma.
In moments of distress, the nervous system activates survival responses automatically and involuntarily: fight, flight, or freeze (Cannon, 1932). These automatic reactions are universal, but the outcomes of trauma depend significantly on the support systems in place.
The Importance of Response
Bessel van der Kolk’s research highlights the impact of social and environmental factors on trauma recovery. He found that 5 percent of 9/11 survivors developed PTSD compared to 33 percent of Hurricane Katrina survivors (van der Kolk, 2011; Babbel, 2011). The stark difference stems from variations in community support, displacement, and media portrayal. Narratives of resilience after 9/11 fostered collective solidarity, while coverage of Katrina survivors often emphasized isolation and hardship.
These findings underscore the importance of shared compassion and community connection during crises. Psychologist Shelley Taylor’s "tend and befriend" theory (Taylor, 2000) emphasizes the healing power of caring for others and seeking comfort in relationships. Communities that prioritize compassion and connection are more likely to foster resilience and recovery.
The Nervous System and Trauma
Trauma overwhelms the nervous system, leaving individuals in a heightened state of stress. Survival mechanisms temporarily shut down nonessential functions like decision-making, digestion, and intimacy, focusing instead on immediate survival. Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol flood the body, preparing it for action.
However, when the nervous system remains stuck in survival mode, it can lead to chronic trauma responses such as hyper-vigilance, emotional numbness, and intrusive memories. Helping the nervous system recognize that physical danger has passed is essential for recovery.
Supporting the Nervous System’s Recovery
Healing from trauma involves strategies that restore balance to the nervous system:
Reconnect with the body: Grounding practices regulate the nervous system and reduce stress responses. Vagus nerve exercises include techniques like humming, ear massages, or slow neck stretches, which promote calm. Breathing exercises, such as the 3-3-3 technique (inhale for three counts, hold for three, exhale for three) encourage relaxation. With the emotional freedom technique (EFT), tapping acupressure points while focusing on distressing emotions can offer relief.
Foster connection: Trauma often isolates individuals, but healing happens through relationships. Sharing experiences with trusted friends, family, or therapists provides emotional support and a sense of belonging. Group settings, where survivors connect with others facing similar challenges, can be especially restorative.
Address systemic challenges: Systemic inequities amplify trauma’s effects, particularly for marginalized communities. Ensuring access to mental health resources, housing, and community support is essential for equitable recovery. Advocacy for inclusive policies can bridge these gaps.
Rebuilding Hope
The wildfires in Los Angeles serve as a stark reminder that recovery involves more than physical reconstruction. True healing requires addressing the psychological and emotional effects of trauma while fostering community support.
By helping survivors move beyond survival mode through connection, compassion, and systemic solutions, we can build a future rooted in resilience and hope. In times of crisis, we need each other more than ever. Together, we can rebuild not just homes but also the vital connections that make healing possible.
References
Babbel, S. (2011). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after 9/11 and Katrina. Psychology Today.
Cannon, W. B. (1932). The Wisdom of the Body. W.W. Norton & Company.
Levine, P. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.
Taylor, S. E. (2000). The tending instinct: Women, children, and the culture of care. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 24(2), 132–144.
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2011, September 1). Post-traumatic stress disorder after 9/11 and Katrina. Psychology Today.