Trauma and the Zero Process: Clinical Illustrations

Fernando, Joseph

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the basic mental mechanisms operative during and after trauma. To facilitate this exploration, details from the therapy of two traumatized are presented. These cases demonstrate concretely how a traumatic process is set in motion by overwhelming of the usual protective filtering mechanisms of the mind. This happens when too much that is too upsetting and too unexpected is experienced too quickly. Being unable to process the incoming stimulation in the usual ways, many higher level mental functions, such as integration, differentiation, abstraction, thought, and symbolic processes are shut down. This shut down interferes with the formation of regular long term memories. Instead what is left in the aftermath of trauma are unintegrated bits and pieces of perception, feeling, and action intention which act much more as a present experience or future expectation than as a regular memory. This particular form of mental functioning that follows upon trauma I have conceptualized as the zero process. Clinical aspects of the two cases are used to illustrate characteristics of zero process memories. Triggering of repetitive reliving, and the formation of conversion symptoms based on concrete zero process body memories from the trauma are discussed and illustrated by clinical material.