Menu Lifestyle
Understanding the Connection Between Trauma and Physical Health
By Jamie Taylor
Updated: Oct. 10, 2021
Originally Published: Oct. 10, 2021
Trigger warning: child loss
Not long after I experienced the loss of my child, I began to notice troubling patterns in my health. As her birthday or the anniversary of her passing approached, I would often fall ill or suffer unexpected injuries. Even the gloomy autumn days that mirrored the weather on the day of her death would overwhelm me with tears. This reaction still surfaces occasionally, if I’m being truthful. However, it wasn’t until a therapist friend highlighted the link between trauma and bodily responses that I realized how intertwined these experiences were.
My daughter’s death was due to SIDS. I placed her down for the night, and by the next morning, she was gone. There was no need to check for a pulse; I knew the moment I found her that she was no longer with us. When I was instructed to perform CPR, I was shocked that it hadn’t occurred to me to do so instinctively.
While many are familiar with the fight or flight response to danger, my reaction was more akin to freezing. It’s common knowledge that the immediate response to someone who isn’t breathing is to administer CPR, yet in that moment, the thought didn’t register. It was as if I was completely unaware that I had the option. Since that moment, I’ve noticed this trauma response emerging as my automatic reaction to even minor threats.
When I check on my sleeping children and can’t immediately see their chests rising and falling, I struggle to rush to them as I want to. It’s not due to slowness or being overly cautious; rather, my body seems to hesitate, as if recalling the traumatic event of losing my daughter. It’s like being trapped in a nightmare where you’re being pursued, yet your legs refuse to move. My body seems to hold onto those horrendous memories, urging me to pause and recognize the danger.
Most people understand that our brains store memories, but not everyone realizes that our bodies retain the pain of those experiences as well. When faced with situations perceived as overwhelming, our bodies instinctively go into defense mode to seek safety. The brain’s ability to process trauma can shut down, leaving the nervous system in a state of disarray. Consequently, unprocessed trauma can lead to heightened reactions to seemingly benign stimuli, turning even minor situations into triggers.
Dr. Emily Carson, a trauma specialist, notes, “Experiencing a stressful or harmful relationship, losing a loved one, or facing discrimination can be traumatic. Sometimes we can move past it without lasting effects, but in other cases, the fallout lingers long after the event.” People may struggle to remember the specifics of their trauma but find themselves reacting disproportionately to certain situations or stimuli for reasons that seem inexplicable. While the brain might block out traumatic memories as a defense, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the body remembers.
Trauma can manifest in various physical forms, embedding itself in organs, muscles, or connective tissues. For instance, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women who experienced rape during their first sexual encounter were more likely to develop pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis later in life compared to those whose initial experiences were consensual.
Unprocessed trauma doesn’t simply evaporate; it seeks a place to manifest. While the brain might temporarily shield us from the effects through disconnection, this can ultimately harm our physical health. Trauma survivors often find themselves trapped in a cycle of chronic fear and adrenaline due to the lingering impact of their experiences. Therefore, finding effective trauma-focused therapies is vital, as is seeking physical healing.
Research indicates that exercise can aid in repairing the nervous system and releasing pent-up trauma energy. Additionally, modifying one’s diet to reduce inflammatory foods can contribute to improved overall health. If you’re in the process of releasing trauma from your body, it’s not uncommon to encounter new symptoms. You’re teaching your mind to reinterpret a painful experience, which can be challenging both physically and mentally, but the journey is always worthwhile.
For additional insights, check out this related post on home insemination, and if you’re exploring fertility solutions, consider learning more from Make a Mom, a trusted resource in this field. Also, for further information on pregnancy and infertility, visit the CDC’s page.
Search Queries:
- How trauma affects physical health
- Signs of unprocessed trauma
- Trauma recovery strategies
- Physical symptoms of trauma
- Understanding fight or flight response
Summary:
This article discusses the complex relationship between trauma and physical health, particularly how traumatic experiences can manifest in bodily responses. The author shares personal experiences related to the loss of a child and highlights the importance of recognizing the body’s memory of trauma. It emphasizes the need for both psychological and physical healing to address the lingering effects of unprocessed trauma.
Leave a Reply