Posted On May 12, 2023.

Trauma is an emotional reaction to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. When someone experiences a traumatic event, it can have a lasting effect on their mental and physical health. In this blog post, we'll be exploring the science of trauma and how our bodies respond to it. We'll look at what happens in the body when a person experiences trauma, the different types of trauma, and the effects trauma can have on our health.

What is trauma?

Trauma can involve anything from physical or sexual abuse to combat and natural disasters. Trauma can also include neglect, abandonment, or the sudden death of a loved one. Everyone responds to trauma differently, and it can be a difficult experience to cope with and process. Trauma can have a lasting effect on the individual and can even have long-term mental health implications. 

Trauma can help us understand how our bodies react to stressful situations and how we process our emotions. It's important to recognize that trauma comes in many forms and does not discriminate. Events such as being bullied, being in an accident, or even experiencing childhood trauma can all result in trauma. Everyone reacts differently, but the effects are similar: feelings of fear, helplessness, guilt, depression, and anxiety. 

It is important to remember that there are resources available to help individuals cope with trauma. Whether it's talking to a therapist, engaging in trauma-informed practices, or seeking out support groups, there are numerous ways to find support and begin the healing process.

How does trauma affect the body?

When faced with a traumatic experience, the body's natural response is to enter into a state of fight or flight. This response is intended to help us survive the threat at hand. However, when trauma is experienced over a prolonged period, such as during childhood trauma, the body can become overwhelmed and can’t “recover” from the stress. As a result, we can experience long-term physical and mental health issues. 

The physical symptoms of trauma can manifest in many ways. These can include headaches, chest pains, gastrointestinal problems, racing heart, dizziness, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping. We may also experience anxiety or panic attacks, which are marked by intense fear or discomfort. Additionally, some people may also experience hypervigilance, which is an increased level of alertness or awareness. 

The emotional effects of trauma can range from difficulty controlling emotions to dissociative reactions such as feeling disconnected from one’s body or environment. People who have experienced trauma may also have difficulty maintaining relationships, as the symptoms of trauma can lead to feelings of isolation and distrust. 

If left untreated, trauma can have devastating consequences on the physical and mental health of an individual. Therefore, it is important to seek professional help for trauma so that it can be properly addressed. With the right help and support, individuals can learn how to cope with their trauma and work towards healing. 

Gabor Mate, MD believes that trauma can lead to a state of chronic stress, which in turn can affect our physical and mental health. He believes that the root cause of chronic illnesses is the unresolved trauma we carry with us in our bodies and that healing is an important part of restoring balance in our lives. By seeking professional help and learning to identify and process the trauma we are carrying, we can work towards healing our bodies and minds.

How does trauma affect the brain?

Trauma can have a serious and lasting impact on the brain, particularly when experienced during childhood. When exposed to trauma, the brain goes into a state of hyper-arousal, flooding the body with stress hormones. This response can cause changes to neural pathways and affect areas of the brain associated with fear, memory, learning, and emotions. 

The hippocampus, which is associated with memory and emotion regulation, may be smaller in those who have experienced trauma. This can lead to difficulty in remembering details of traumatic events and recalling memories. 

The amygdala, which is associated with fear, anxiety, and aggression, may also be altered due to trauma. These changes can lead to an increase in feelings of anxiety, panic, and heightened sensitivity to potential threats.

In addition to these changes, exposure to trauma can result in increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functioning such as planning and problem-solving. This can lead to difficulty in decision-making and carrying out complex tasks. 

These changes in the brain can have serious implications for mental health and well-being. Fortunately, there are evidence-based treatments that can help trauma survivors cope with the effects of their experiences and improve their quality of life.

What are some treatments for trauma?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy for trauma that works to reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories. It helps by stimulating the brain to reprocess information, allowing the trauma to be processed more quickly and effectively. This can help reduce anxiety, fear, and panic associated with traumatic events.

Emotional Transformation Therapy ETT® is a powerful modality for helping those suffering from trauma and PTSD. It utilizes light-based stimulation to help release stored trauma, allowing the person to emotionally process what has happened and move forward in their life. This approach can be especially helpful in childhood trauma, as it helps the individual access their feelings in a safe way and allows them to reprocess and heal. 

In addition to these two treatments, there are many other types of therapy for the trauma that address trauma from different points of view. Many different types of talk therapy and counseling can help provide comfort and support for those dealing with trauma. All of these treatments can help with trauma, and it's important to find one that works best for you.

Maté Gabor (2019) When the body says no. Brunswick, Victoria: Scribe Publications.

Van der Kolk, B.A. (2015) The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. New York: Penguin Books.