Most of us recognize trauma as something that impacts our mental health. It’s true that going through a traumatic experience can have lasting negative results on your mental well-being. You can carry the memories and impact of that experience with you for years, creating mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
But, trauma also impacts the body more than most people realize. Even if you try to repress or “ignore” the trauma you experienced, the body tends to hang onto it. Trauma lives on in our physical self, which can also negatively impact our overall well-being and quality of life.
Let’s take a closer look at how trauma lives on in the body, and what you can do if you’ve been through a traumatic experience that you’re holding onto physically.
Why Does the Body Store Trauma?
When you initially go through a traumatic experience, both your brain and body go into fight-or-flight mode. This is a natural defense mechanism, and it’s a good thing in dangerous situations.
But the body often stores trauma as a way to protect yourself long term, even if you don’t necessarily need to. It keeps you on high alert, which can impact your mental health, creating unnecessary anxiety.
The stress hormone that is released throughout your body when it’s in fight-or-flight mode can quickly become toxic if too much of it is continuously released. So, while your body thinks it’s protecting you, it’s actually doing more harm than good by storing trauma.
Where Does the Body Store Trauma?
Trauma that is stored in the body is often referred to as unprocessed trauma. It can be stored almost anywhere, but is often found in muscle tissues. As a result, people with unprocessed trauma can often experience frequent aches and pains.
Some research has shown that the body’s core is most often where trauma settles. That can include everything from the abdomen and spine to the neck and limbs.
Trauma can also be stored more internally, affecting the nervous system in a variety of ways, potentially causing it to become “stuck.” That can lead to some people experiencing restlessness and an inability to calm down. Others might feel lethargic and constantly fatigued.
How to Tell Whether You Have Unprocessed Trauma
If you’ve been through a traumatic experience, don’t automatically assume you’re “over” it simply because you’ve chosen to move on. Unless you have fully processed it and worked with someone to overcome the effects, your body could still be holding on to that experience.
Do you frequently deal with aches and pains? Do you struggle with abdominal issues and are often sick? Maybe you’re tired all the time and your fatigue is impacting other areas of your life.
These are all signs of unprocessed trauma that has been stored in your body. Ignoring these signs won’t make them go away.
What Can You Do?
If you’re experiencing negative physical symptoms of any kind, talk with your medical doctor before you do anything else. It’s important to rule out any other possible underlying health conditions that could be impacting your well-being.
If you’re otherwise healthy, the next step toward treating your physical symptoms is to focus on your mental health. Work with a therapist to uncover the root of your trauma. Going back to the start isn’t always a pleasant experience, especially if you’ve spent a long time trying to forget what happened. But, it’s often the best way to start on your healing journey.
Being able to release your trauma with the help and support of a mental health professional can improve your physical and mental well-being. You don’t have to live in the shadow of that experience forever, dealing with the pain that comes with it. Feel free to contact me today to set up an appointment for trauma therapy.