How Does Trauma Affect the Body? A Deep Dive

Have you ever wondered how trauma can impact your physical health? Do you know the ways in which your body and brain change in response to traumatic experiences?

In her book What My Bones Know, Stephanie Foo explores the profound effects of trauma on both mind and body. She delves into the complex world of C-PTSD, shedding light on how does trauma affect the body and brain, from altering brain structures to impacting physical health.

Read on to discover the surprising ways trauma can shape your physiology and learn about potential paths to healing and recovery.

How Trauma Affects Your Body and Brain

The Physical Impact of Complex Ptsd

When you're diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), it's not just your mind that's affected. Your body bears the brunt of this condition too. Understanding how does trauma affect the body is crucial: stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, while beneficial in moderation, can wreak havoc when produced in excess. They can alter your brain structures and accelerate physical wear and tear, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of trauma on both mental and physical health.

But that's not all. The trauma you've experienced can actually shorten your lifespan by impacting your telomeres - the protective features found at the ends of your chromosomes. It's as if trauma flows through your very essence, affecting every choice you make.

Interestingly, C-PTSD manifests differently across genders. Research by Joe Andreano sheds light on how changes in brain function throughout menstrual cycles can lead to variations in vulnerability to trauma across different genders. This hormonal imbalance caused by trauma can cascade into a series of physical and psychological health complications.

Neurological Changes From Trauma

Trauma, especially when related to C-PTSD, can result in heightened sensitivities that severely hinder you, often triggering episodes of intense anxiety and involuntary recollections of past trauma. If you've experienced abuse during your childhood, you might perceive ambiguous facial expressions as anger, suggesting you're more alert to possible dangers.

Research indicates that the brains of individuals who have endured trauma during their early years undergo structural changes. Your amygdala, which triggers responses to fear, may be enlarged. Areas involved in self-awareness and reflective thinking might be less developed, and the parts of your brain responsible for interpreting physical sensations could have diminished in volume. You might also notice changes in the brain areas responsible for maintaining concentration, regulating emotional reactions, and facilitating social engagement.

The Default Mode Network and Trauma

If you're living with C-PTSD, you might find yourself stuck in harmful cycles of ongoing rumination and doubt. This is because your brain's default mode network - the part that's active when you're not focusing on a specific task - is overactive. The good news is that engaging in mindfulness exercises may help direct your focus outward, which could in turn calm the activity within your brain's resting state network.

Epigenetic Changes and Generational Trauma

Trauma's lasting impact may modify your epigenetic markers, potentially transferring these changes to subsequent generations. This has been demonstrated in studies of Holocaust survivors' descendants, who showed genetic changes affecting stress reactions.

The Body Keeps the Score

After delving into significant scholarly works, particularly Bessel van der Kolk's seminal book The Body Keeps the Score, you might gain a more profound understanding of how past abuse is intricately connected to your present life. Trauma doesn't just affect your mental health - it impacts your cognitive function and can hinder you in social and professional settings.

Seeking Treatment for Trauma

While traditional talk therapy can be helpful for some, it may not always provide the relief you're looking for when dealing with C-PTSD. You might find yourself frustrated with therapists who lack expertise in complex psychological traumas or who are skeptical about your diagnosis.

One treatment that has shown promise for some individuals is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. This type of psychotherapy emphasizes desensitization and reprocessing via ocular motion techniques. While it may not work for everyone, some people report feeling a deep emotional bond with their younger selves during these sessions.

The Power of Mindfulness and Self-Care

Mindfulness practices and meditation can be powerful tools in managing C-PTSD, although they may initially exacerbate traumatic responses. You might find comfort in activities like restorative yoga, which requires concentration that redirects your awareness to bodily experiences. Grounding techniques can also be valuable in managing flashbacks.

Remember, self-care isn't about pursuing an ideal of perfection. It's about embracing your true self. Engaging in self-nurturing activities and exploring meditation can be comforting and affirming. Your path to healing is ongoing, and progress, not perfection, is the goal.

Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma

Understanding your family history can provide context for your personal struggles. Many families have a tradition of not speaking about distressing events, which can contribute to ongoing cycles of trauma. By exploring your family's past and understanding the hardships they faced, you can begin to contextualize your own experiences.

To break the cycle of inherited pain, you might need to make difficult decisions. This could involve limiting engagement with toxic relatives or severing ties with professionals who disregard your personal experiences. Creating a supportive and kind environment - a chosen family - can be a powerful step towards healing.

Remember, your journey towards healing is unique. While understanding how trauma affects your body and brain is important, it's equally crucial to find the support and treatment methods that work best for you. Your resilience in the face of trauma is a testament to your strength, and with the right support, you can work towards a future free from the wounds of the past.