Trigger Warning: Loss of a child
Not long after the tragic loss of my daughter, I began to experience troubling patterns in my health. As her birthday or the anniversary of her passing approached, I would often fall ill or suffer injuries without any clear reason. Rainy autumn days that mirrored the weather on the day she died would evoke tears, even now.
It was only when a therapist friend pointed out the connection between trauma and the body that I realized how deeply intertwined these experiences were. My daughter passed away due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). I laid her down to sleep one evening, and by the next day, she was gone. I didn’t need to check for a pulse; I knew instinctively that she wasn’t alive when I found her. I called 911 immediately, but when instructed to perform CPR, I was frozen—stunned that I hadn’t thought to do it myself.
While most people are familiar with the fight or flight response, my reaction to trauma was to freeze. We all understand that the appropriate response when someone isn’t breathing is to administer CPR, yet in that moment, the thought didn’t even cross my mind. It was as if I wasn’t aware that I had that option. Since then, I’ve noticed that this freeze response has become my default reaction in situations that my body perceives as threatening.
When I check on my sleeping children and don’t immediately see their chests rising and falling, I struggle to rush to them as I instinctively want to. It’s not due to slowness or a desire to be quiet; my body simply won’t allow it. It feels like a nightmare where someone is chasing you, but your legs won’t move. My body holds onto the trauma of that day, saying, “Stop! We’ve been here before, and it’s overwhelming.”
Many of us understand that our brains store memories, but fewer recognize that our bodies also retain painful experiences. When we find ourselves in situations that our minds deem too difficult to handle, our bodies shift into defense mode to seek safety. This can lead to an overwhelmed nervous system and prevent the brain from properly processing trauma. Unprocessed trauma can create triggers, causing our nervous systems to react dramatically, even in seemingly minor situations.
James Gordon, M.D., author of The Transformation: Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma, explains, “Being in a stressful or abusive relationship or work environment is traumatic. So is losing someone you love, having a serious illness, or facing discrimination. Sometimes you move through trauma with no residue, but other times your reactions continue long after the threat has passed.”
It’s common for someone to have difficulty recalling specific details of their traumatic experience, yet still find themselves reacting disproportionately to certain situations or sensory triggers. While the brain may block traumatic memories to protect itself, the body does not forget.
Trauma can manifest in various ways within our bodies, whether in our organs, muscles, or connective tissues. If left unprocessed, trauma will find a way to express itself. For instance, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine indicates that women whose first sexual encounters were non-consensual were more likely to experience pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis later in life compared to those who had consensual experiences.
Unprocessed trauma lingers in the body, potentially leading to lasting physical health issues. Survivors often find themselves in a cycle of heightened fear and adrenaline, influenced by the impact of their trauma. Therefore, it’s crucial to seek trauma-focused therapies while also addressing physical healing.
Research indicates that exercise can aid in repairing the nervous system and releasing trapped energy from unresolved trauma. Additionally, dietary adjustments—such as reducing inflammatory foods—can be beneficial for overall health.
If you’ve been holding onto trauma within your body and are now exploring ways to release it, don’t be alarmed if you experience new symptoms. You’re training your brain to view a painful situation differently, and this process can be challenging—both physically and emotionally. However, the journey is always worthwhile. For further insights, you can check out another one of our blog posts here.
Summary:
Trauma leaves a lasting imprint not just on our minds but also on our bodies. Even after the immediate danger has passed, unprocessed trauma can lead to physical health issues and overwhelming emotional responses. Understanding this connection can be vital for healing. Seeking trauma-focused therapies and physical health solutions, such as exercise and dietary changes, can aid recovery.
- Self-Help Techniques for Trauma Recovery
- Understanding Trauma Triggers
- The Impact of Trauma on Physical Health
- Benefits of Exercise for Trauma Survivors
- Dietary Changes for Better Mental Health
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