As therapists in Cincinnati that specialize in working with trauma, one of the things that we wish people knew more about is how much trauma can impact us physically. When we think of trauma, we often focus on the emotional and psychological effects it can have. However, trauma can also affect us physically, and it's essential to understand how this happens.
The effects of trauma on the body can vary depending on the type and severity of the trauma. Trauma can range from a one-time incident, such as a car accident, to ongoing trauma, such as childhood abuse or neglect. Regardless of the type of trauma, it can have long-lasting effects on our physical health.
One of the most common ways that trauma affects us physically is through the activation of the fight-or-flight response. This is the body's natural response to danger or threat. When we experience trauma, our brains perceive a threat, and the fight-or-flight response is activated. This response triggers a cascade of physical changes in the body, including the release of adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the body for action, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
While this response can be helpful in the short-term, it can be harmful in the long-term. If our body doesn’t process what happened correctly, the chronic stress response can become "stuck" in the "on" position. This can lead to long-term changes in the way the body functions, including inflammation, changes in hormone levels, and changes in brain chemistry. These changes can increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions, including:
Chronic pain: Chronic stress can cause muscle tension, which can lead to headaches, back pain, and other types of chronic pain.
Digestive issues: Chronic stress can affect digestion, leading to gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcers.
Cardiovascular disease: Chronic stress can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, heart attack, and stroke.
Immune system dysfunction: Chronic stress can impair the immune system, making us more susceptible to illness and infection.
Sleep disturbances: Chronic stress can disrupt sleep, leading to insomnia and other sleep disorders.
In addition to the fight-or-flight response, trauma can also affect the brain and nervous system. Trauma can alter the structure and function of the brain, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. These changes can lead to a variety of physical symptoms, including:
Fatigue: Trauma can cause fatigue, as the brain and body are working hard to process the trauma and remain on high alert. This type of effort from our brain and body may go unnoticed by the person, as our brain and body are working hard without the person realizing it.
Memory problems: Trauma can affect memory, making it difficult to recall details or retain new information. Our brain may block out parts of our life so avoid specific memories, which can lead to our memory from certain times in our life being “hazy” or “spotty”.
Chronic headaches: Trauma can cause chronic headaches, as the brain and body are under constant stress.
Dizziness and fainting: In more severe cases, trauma can cause dizziness and fainting due to changes in blood pressure and circulation.
Chronic illness: Trauma can increase the risk of chronic illness, including autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. This too can be tied to the constant stress that our body is under.
It's important to note that not everyone who experiences trauma will experience physical symptoms. However, if you are experiencing physical symptoms that are impacting your daily life, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional.
Trauma-focused therapy, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), can help people process and heal from trauma, which can in turn reduce the physical symptoms associated with trauma. Other treatments, such as mindfulness meditation and yoga, can also be helpful in reducing stress and promoting overall physical and mental health.
In summary, trauma can have a significant impact on our physical health. Trauma can activate the fight-or-flight response, leading to chronic stress and a variety of physical symptoms. Trauma can also affect the brain and nervous system, leading to fatigue, memory problems, chronic headaches, dizziness, and other physical symptoms.
If you have experienced trauma and are struggling with the impacts it is having on your life, we at Therapy Cincinnati are here to help. We offer multiple types of therapy that is designed to help people heal from trauma, including EMDR, Internal Family Systems, creative arts, and many other types of therapy. You can get started by clicking on the “contact us” button to schedule a free phone consultation.