Trauma Lives in the Body. Here’s How it Can Affect You
When most people think of the effects of trauma, their thoughts go to the mental struggles. That’s valid and not something to take lightly. Trauma can certainly create feelings of anxiety, depression, and even PTSD. But, in reality, trauma lives in the body and can lead to a wide rand of physical problems that last for years when not properly treated.
To fully understand the physical impact of trauma, you have to know the signs first. Recognizing them will accepting your feelings, fears, and emotions easier so you can get the help and support you need. With that in mind, let’s look at how trauma living in the body can manifest and what you can do about it.
What Are the Minor Implications?
It’s hard to use the word minor when describing any trauma symptoms, but some physical signs are less severe or noticeable. Unfortunately, that means they're also easier to ignore or attribute to something else.
However, once you realize these seemingly minor problems might actually stem from your traumatic experience, you'll start to take them more seriously. Some of the physical signs include:
Insomnia
Nightmares
Aches and pains
Fatigue
Of course, these signs are also commonly associated with a list of other medical concerns, so connecting them with trauma might not be your first thought. Still, keep paying attention to them and working to find the root cause. Once you get to the bottom of these so-called minor issues, you can avoid larger, more damaging ones.
Trauma’s Impact on Your Body
Trauma can also create more significant, long-term effects on the body. Perhaps the biggest part of the body it can affect is the immune system. For example, individuals living with chronic PTSD tend to have more long-term health problems than others, including heart conditions and reproductive disorders.
The mental health effects of trauma can also trigger physical problems. Stress, anxiety, and depression all increase the likelihood of health problems. They can make you more susceptible to high blood pressure, cardiovascular issues, stroke, chronic headaches, and general aches and pains.
Understanding Your Triggers
Similar to managing mental health issues, learning what your triggers are is an excellent way to combat trauma living in the body. To effectively treat the symptoms of trauma, you have to get to the root cause.
For instance, if your physical ailments seem to flare up when you’re doing a specific activity or when you’re in certain situations, it’s probably not a coincidence. Unfortunately, many people who have gone through a traumatic event tend to push those memories aside. It's even possible to repress the trauma so much, the event is completely forgotten—but the body still remembers.
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The effects of trauma can present themselves in many different ways, but the core of trauma lives in the body. So even if your physical symptoms seem minor, it's worth looking into. To truly understand your trauma, triggers, and get the best treatment, consider working with a mental health professional specializing in trauma.
Of course, if you’re experiencing physical conditions, visiting your physician can also help. But if trauma is the source of your physiological problems, the only way to get long-lasting relief is to work through it.
Trauma doesn't have to define your life. If you're struggling with physical symptoms, feel free to contact me. Together, we’ll get to the root of your trauma. Once you have a better understanding of the cause, you'll learn different coping strategies and overcome them.
Click here for more information on trauma therapy.