Two weeks ago I shared my reflections about Inside Out. I had introduced my five year old daughter to the movie for the first time. And saw it again for the first time since 2015!

Introducing her to it was the precursor to taking her to our favorite theater to see the sequel Inside Out 2. And in today’s piece, I’m going to share my insights about the sequel as a mom and trauma therapist. Specifically with a lens as to how this might apply to those of us who come from relational trauma backgrounds.

A trauma therapist and mom’s thoughts on Inside Out 2.

• Obviously, I was happy to see an inclusion of a broader range of emotions represented in this film. It’s like expanding beyond the primary colors of a paint palette to create a more beautiful nuanced picture. When a broader, more complex range of emotions comes online. 
• But, realistically, research shows that the onset of more complex and nuanced emotions – like anxiety/worry, shame, envy – can onset much earlier. Earlier than what was modeled in Inside Out 2 when these emotions got introduced to Riley’s “emotional control headquarters” when she turned 13.
• And gosh, I’d be remiss in saying this but for any child who experienced relational trauma or any iteration of childhood neglect, abuse or dysfunctional that caused them to feel unsafe or that compromised their dignity, anxiety would have likely “come online” a heck of a lot sooner than 13 and, as research suggests, been at the helm of the proverbial control panel alongside anger as the dominant feeling states.
  
• So that’s another thing that struck me as I watched Inside Out 2. Adolescence is inherently, painfully uncomfortable. I could see so many of us middle aged parents there with our kiddos who have yet to journey through puberty. Squirming uncomfortably at certain moments having that lived experience under our belts. So puberty is pretty painful and sucky, we can agree. Now imagine doing that in a family system devoid of the safety and stability Riley’s family provided. And imagine how much more painful still that becomes for folks with relational trauma histories. Indeed, research shows that childhood trauma significantly increases the risk of various mental health conditions during adolescence. This includes depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Adolescents who experienced multiple traumatic events show higher levels of these symptoms as they journey through puberty.