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Article cycle: Liz Bourbeau. Five injuries. The Trauma of Injustice
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Description: This article explores in detail Liz Bourbeau’s The Trauma of Injustice. The signs, causes, characteristic manifestations and ways of overcoming are analyzed. The material is supplemented by popular science and is aimed at a wide audience.
Introduction
When people talk about feelings that can cause deep pain and lingering internal conflicts, “injustice” is often among the key triggers. In the context of psychology, this phenomenon goes beyond banal resentments or disappointments and acquires the character of trauma - a phenomenon that can determine the behavior and perception of a person for many years. According to Liz Bourbeau, injustice is one of the five primary psychological wounds that form in childhood and affect the rest of our lives.
People who face constant criticism, disregard for their feelings, or unconstructive comparisons with others may learn that life is bound to play against them. Over time, this inner conviction takes root and is reflected in excessive rigidity towards oneself and others, in the constant desire to prove one’s rightness or, conversely, in the desire to drown out any manifestation of one’s own emotions. In popular science publications and in studies on the topic of “childhood trauma” (see Wikipedia), we can find evidence that early experiences of injustice affect human neurobiological responses, form behavioral patterns and even affect the immune system.
Main part
1. Theoretical foundations and view of Liz Bourbeau
According to Liz Bourbeau, the inconsistency between a child’s inner world and how they are treated can create a sense of deep dissonance and unfair treatment. Unlike “betrayal”, where the emphasis is on the violation of trust, the “trauma of injustice” is associated primarily with the fact that the child is not given the right to fully manifest themselves, evaluate his actions biased or, on the contrary, give an overly strict assessment of his abilities, not taking into account real opportunities.
At the heart of this trauma is the belief: “My feelings and efforts don’t matter, because they treat me inappropriately anyway.” In the future, this can turn into a total intolerance of mistakes – one’s own or someone else’s – because any little thing can become a symbolic reminder that a person did not get a “fair” chance.
2. The Childhood Roots of Injustice Trauma
Let’s consider how a child can develop such an injury at an early age:
Such childhood scenarios often lead to an adult perception that the world is cruel and people everywhere will try to “belittle” the individual’s achievements. This belief can develop into both extreme perfectionism and cold, detached behaviors in which a person hides their vulnerability.
3. Mask "Rigid" and its features
In the book, Liz Bourbeau describes that each of the five injuries is accompanied by a certain “mask” – a kind of behavioral strategy designed to protect the person from pain. The trauma of injustice is characterized by the Rigidny mask. Its main features:
However, the Rigidny mask is not always obvious to others. Such people may seem balanced and calm on the outside, but inside them boils storm of feelings that remain “behind the scenes”. The main reason for this is the desire to avoid re-experiencing unfair treatment. At the same time, the inner voice, constantly criticizing any of its own mistakes, acts almost continuously.
4. Impact of Inequality Trauma on Health and Relationships
Modern psychophysiology emphasizes that the mind and body are closely related. Chronic preoccupation with “no equality,” “neglected,” or “I am forced to resist gross injustice” can contribute to stress and elevated cortisol levels. In turn, prolonged stress affects the state of immunity, the work of the cardiovascular system, and also increases the likelihood of depressive and anxiety disorders.
When it comes to social connections, people with the trauma of injustice often have difficulties in teamwork and interpersonal relationships. Unable to accept other people’s shortcomings and their own mistakes, they are prone to perfectionism or, conversely, to detached behavior. Moreover, rigoristic views on morality and ethics can lead to conflicts at work and in the family, because a person guided by rigid principles is not ready for compromise.
5. Behavioral patterns and life scenarios
Interestingly, the trauma of injustice can manifest itself in completely different ways depending on personal characteristics and conditions of upbringing. Some people, trying to escape from their sense of undeserved reproaches, literally run away to another professional or social environment, because there they hope not to face the same pain. Others prefer to remain in isolation, protecting themselves from external assessments. Consider the main patterns:
Often in adulthood, such a person can find himself in situations where inequality is really observed: undeserved reprimands from superiors, toxic criticism in the family or collective. The irony is that in an effort to avoid early childhood sensations, the personality sometimes “attracts” scenarios that repeat the traumatic experience.
6. Ways to overcome and self-help strategies
Contrary to popular fears, the trauma of injustice is not a "life sentence." Many psychological studies and the experience of psychologists, including those based on the ideas of Liz Bourbeau, indicate a number of effective approaches:
The process of working out the trauma can be long, because it requires a revision of long-standing scenarios of behavior and often “revives” strong emotions accumulated from early years. However, the results will be significant: internal tension decreases, relationships with loved ones and colleagues improve, there is more space for joy and self-realization.
7. Role of environment and close people
If there is a person in your environment who shows signs of a “mask of Rigidny” and is inclined to interpret minor misunderstandings as a great injustice, try to treat him with care and without judgment. Often behind rigid armor hides a vulnerable nature, which in childhood was deprived of acceptance and respect for individual boundaries. You can really support such a person by showing patience and willingness to listen, without devaluing his feelings.
It is important to find a healthy balance between understanding and personal boundaries. Do not try to solve all the problems for him, otherwise the person may not realize his own power and ability to change his life scenario. Strengthen his faith in justice not by words, but by concrete actions: keep the promises given, be consistent in judgment and action, encourage self-development.
Conclusion
The Injustice Trauma, being the fifth in the list of emotional wounds according to the theory of Liz Bourbeau, is one of the most uncomfortable forms of psychological experience. Its carriers usually suffer from constant internal criticism, distrust of themselves and others, perfectionism and a sense that the world is organized according to “unfair” laws. However, once you understand the causes and mechanisms of this phenomenon, you can begin to purposefully change patterns of behavior, look for more effective ways to respond and gain flexibility.
While true justice, as a philosophical category, is always a matter of interpretation and subjective perception, personal freedom from inadequate demands and self-blame is achievable. This is what many people are looking for when researching their childhood traumas. The capacity for honest dialogue with one’s own feelings, readiness for patience and support of others – all this forms a fertile ground for gradual liberation from “rigidity” and enjoying life in its diversity.
Glossary
Description: This article explores in detail Liz Bourbeau’s The Trauma of Injustice. The signs, causes, characteristic manifestations and ways of overcoming are analyzed. The material is supplemented by popular science and is aimed at a wide audience.
Introduction
When people talk about feelings that can cause deep pain and lingering internal conflicts, “injustice” is often among the key triggers. In the context of psychology, this phenomenon goes beyond banal resentments or disappointments and acquires the character of trauma - a phenomenon that can determine the behavior and perception of a person for many years. According to Liz Bourbeau, injustice is one of the five primary psychological wounds that form in childhood and affect the rest of our lives.
People who face constant criticism, disregard for their feelings, or unconstructive comparisons with others may learn that life is bound to play against them. Over time, this inner conviction takes root and is reflected in excessive rigidity towards oneself and others, in the constant desire to prove one’s rightness or, conversely, in the desire to drown out any manifestation of one’s own emotions. In popular science publications and in studies on the topic of “childhood trauma” (see Wikipedia), we can find evidence that early experiences of injustice affect human neurobiological responses, form behavioral patterns and even affect the immune system.
Main part
1. Theoretical foundations and view of Liz Bourbeau
According to Liz Bourbeau, the inconsistency between a child’s inner world and how they are treated can create a sense of deep dissonance and unfair treatment. Unlike “betrayal”, where the emphasis is on the violation of trust, the “trauma of injustice” is associated primarily with the fact that the child is not given the right to fully manifest themselves, evaluate his actions biased or, on the contrary, give an overly strict assessment of his abilities, not taking into account real opportunities.
At the heart of this trauma is the belief: “My feelings and efforts don’t matter, because they treat me inappropriately anyway.” In the future, this can turn into a total intolerance of mistakes – one’s own or someone else’s – because any little thing can become a symbolic reminder that a person did not get a “fair” chance.
2. The Childhood Roots of Injustice Trauma
Let’s consider how a child can develop such an injury at an early age:
- Hard education. If parents are in strict control of their behavior, ignoring their child’s personality, they may feel that their “real” inner world is constantly being belittled and devalued.
- Non-objective comparisons. Families often create an atmosphere of competition, when the child is put as an example or, on the contrary, indicate his “defects” in comparison with brothers, sisters or peers. This gives rise to an inner conviction that the world is made unfairly—some are “better” and some are “worse” initially.
- Rigid performance criteria. Excessively demanding teachers or relatives who demand perfect results can give the child a constant feeling that he never meets the desired standard, which means that he is treated unfairly.
- Banning emotion. If the child is not allowed to express anger, sadness, disappointment, considering it as “vagaries”, he develops the feeling that even his experiences “do not deserve” recognition, and this is perceived by him as a blatant injustice.
Such childhood scenarios often lead to an adult perception that the world is cruel and people everywhere will try to “belittle” the individual’s achievements. This belief can develop into both extreme perfectionism and cold, detached behaviors in which a person hides their vulnerability.
3. Mask "Rigid" and its features
In the book, Liz Bourbeau describes that each of the five injuries is accompanied by a certain “mask” – a kind of behavioral strategy designed to protect the person from pain. The trauma of injustice is characterized by the Rigidny mask. Its main features:
- Excessive demands. People who close behind such a “mask” are extremely critical of themselves and others. It is difficult for them to accept mistakes, they often feel dislike for their own weaknesses.
- Lack of flexibility. “Rigid” individuals tend to act according to a clear plan or certain norms. Any deviation is perceived by them as a violation of their life attitudes - this creates irritation, anger or a feeling of powerlessness.
- Suppression of emotions. Many people with the trauma of injustice find it difficult to express their feelings because they are subconsciously afraid to appear “weak” or “helpless.”
- Desire to prove your case. In discussions and disputes, such people tend to defend their position by any means, showing intransigence and sometimes aggressive defense of their borders.
However, the Rigidny mask is not always obvious to others. Such people may seem balanced and calm on the outside, but inside them boils storm of feelings that remain “behind the scenes”. The main reason for this is the desire to avoid re-experiencing unfair treatment. At the same time, the inner voice, constantly criticizing any of its own mistakes, acts almost continuously.
4. Impact of Inequality Trauma on Health and Relationships
Modern psychophysiology emphasizes that the mind and body are closely related. Chronic preoccupation with “no equality,” “neglected,” or “I am forced to resist gross injustice” can contribute to stress and elevated cortisol levels. In turn, prolonged stress affects the state of immunity, the work of the cardiovascular system, and also increases the likelihood of depressive and anxiety disorders.
When it comes to social connections, people with the trauma of injustice often have difficulties in teamwork and interpersonal relationships. Unable to accept other people’s shortcomings and their own mistakes, they are prone to perfectionism or, conversely, to detached behavior. Moreover, rigoristic views on morality and ethics can lead to conflicts at work and in the family, because a person guided by rigid principles is not ready for compromise.
5. Behavioral patterns and life scenarios
Interestingly, the trauma of injustice can manifest itself in completely different ways depending on personal characteristics and conditions of upbringing. Some people, trying to escape from their sense of undeserved reproaches, literally run away to another professional or social environment, because there they hope not to face the same pain. Others prefer to remain in isolation, protecting themselves from external assessments. Consider the main patterns:
- Immersion in perfectionism. The individual believes that only perfect results will save him from reproaches, and spends enormous resources on impeccability.
- Emotional coldness. Tired of a constant sense of injustice, a person suppresses empathy and becomes overly formal - both in relationships and in work.
- Constant competition. In an effort to prove to the world his rightness and competence, the individual begins to view any situation as an “arena of competition”, which exhausts him and the environment.
- Self-punishment. Sometimes a person with the trauma of injustice, considering himself “guilty” of the inability to change something, begins to deliberately limit his joys, sinking into feelings of guilt and powerlessness.
Often in adulthood, such a person can find himself in situations where inequality is really observed: undeserved reprimands from superiors, toxic criticism in the family or collective. The irony is that in an effort to avoid early childhood sensations, the personality sometimes “attracts” scenarios that repeat the traumatic experience.
6. Ways to overcome and self-help strategies
Contrary to popular fears, the trauma of injustice is not a "life sentence." Many psychological studies and the experience of psychologists, including those based on the ideas of Liz Bourbeau, indicate a number of effective approaches:
- Vocational therapy. Methods of Gestalt therapy, cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT) and psychoanalytic analysis will help to identify the hidden attitudes associated with feelings of injustice and reform them.
- Working with emotions. It’s important to learn to recognize and live feelings of resentment, anger, or frustration in a safe environment — whether it’s individual therapy or an emotionally supportive environment of friends.
- Exercise Empathy for Yourself and Others. The trauma of injustice is often based on harsh criteria. By embracing self-compassion, we learn to gently accept our own mistakes and weaknesses, and to judge others less.
- Searching for personal "triggers". It’s important to keep a diary that records situations where you experience a keen sense of injustice. The analysis of these records helps to separate the actual violation of rights from the distorted perceptions “inherited” from childhood.
- Practice flexibility. Try to consciously remove the "rigid" frame: allow yourself to experiment, try new approaches, agree to compromises, albeit small. This is a great way to weaken the frozen beliefs over time.
The process of working out the trauma can be long, because it requires a revision of long-standing scenarios of behavior and often “revives” strong emotions accumulated from early years. However, the results will be significant: internal tension decreases, relationships with loved ones and colleagues improve, there is more space for joy and self-realization.
7. Role of environment and close people
If there is a person in your environment who shows signs of a “mask of Rigidny” and is inclined to interpret minor misunderstandings as a great injustice, try to treat him with care and without judgment. Often behind rigid armor hides a vulnerable nature, which in childhood was deprived of acceptance and respect for individual boundaries. You can really support such a person by showing patience and willingness to listen, without devaluing his feelings.
It is important to find a healthy balance between understanding and personal boundaries. Do not try to solve all the problems for him, otherwise the person may not realize his own power and ability to change his life scenario. Strengthen his faith in justice not by words, but by concrete actions: keep the promises given, be consistent in judgment and action, encourage self-development.
Conclusion
The Injustice Trauma, being the fifth in the list of emotional wounds according to the theory of Liz Bourbeau, is one of the most uncomfortable forms of psychological experience. Its carriers usually suffer from constant internal criticism, distrust of themselves and others, perfectionism and a sense that the world is organized according to “unfair” laws. However, once you understand the causes and mechanisms of this phenomenon, you can begin to purposefully change patterns of behavior, look for more effective ways to respond and gain flexibility.
While true justice, as a philosophical category, is always a matter of interpretation and subjective perception, personal freedom from inadequate demands and self-blame is achievable. This is what many people are looking for when researching their childhood traumas. The capacity for honest dialogue with one’s own feelings, readiness for patience and support of others – all this forms a fertile ground for gradual liberation from “rigidity” and enjoying life in its diversity.
Glossary
- Psychological traumaA negative experience that has a lasting impact on a person’s mental and emotional state.
- The Mask (by Liz Bourbeau)A protective pattern of behavior that a person develops to avoid pain and discomfort.
- RigidityInability to respond flexibly to change, getting stuck in similar strategies of thinking and behavior.
- PerfectionismThe desire for perfection and the fear of making a mistake, leading to constant self-control and self-criticism.
- Gestalt therapyA direction in psychotherapy that emphasizes awareness of current experiences and the completion of “uncompleted” situations from the past.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)An approach that helps identify and correct distorted thoughts and destructive behaviors.
- cortisol: stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. With its excessive level, a person may experience anxiety and poor health.
- Self-compassionunderstanding and respect for their own feelings, recognizing the value of themselves as a person with limitations and advantages.
