Your Body Remembers Trauma, Even If You Try To Push It Out Of Your Mind, But How?
Whether your trauma comes from an accumulation of stress in the workplace, exposure to a violent incident, or childhood abuse, it can leave a lasting, complex legacy. Even though they’re able to push through all the psychological and emotional effects of trauma, it takes root in their bodies.
The human body is a complex piece of machinery, and like any piece of machinery, it can wear down when it’s under constant pressure. Many of the health problems that people deal with on a daily basis are the result of long-term stress resulting from trauma. But how, exactly, does that work? And what does it look like?
Memory, Stress, and Executive Function
During a traumatic event, memories are formed differently. Oxygen is redistributed away from the brain toward our muscles. Stress hormones like cortisol are released into the bloodstream, sharpening our senses and reactions. A moderate amount of cortisol results in very clear, vivid memories, while too much can overload the system, leaving gaps and lapses in memory.
Whether those traumatic experiences are a one-off event or a string of smaller experiences, it’s possible for the parts of our brain responsible for regulating trauma to become overactive. When that happens, it’s possible for our bodies to remain locked in that heightened state.
Living on High Alert
Many people who have been through traumatic experiences or abuse have no idea that their bodies have been living on high alert for months, years, or even decades. The physical impact on people can present differently depending on the source of the trauma. Some people freeze or live in a state of constant anxiety, others become addicted to stress hormones and seek them out unconsciously via high-pressure jobs or hobbies.
Some common symptoms of trauma include:
Anxiety
Disturbed Sleep Patterns
Recurring Nightmares
High Blood Pressure
Tightness in the Chest
Nervous Tics
Trouble with Focus
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Triggers
Stress responses are triggered by your senses and emotions. A memory of a bad car accident could be triggered by a sharp turn. A painful sexual experience could bubble up to the surface because of an unexpected touch, or familiar scent. When this happens, you might experience physical responses like tension in your muscles, headaches, or nausea. Depending on how your memories formed in response to your traumatic experience, you may not even be able to recognize what’s happening. This is especially true for people who grew up in abusive or harmful environments as children.
When your body speaks to you in this way, it’s important to pay attention. If you can identify the root cause of the discomfort, you may be able to resolve it.
Long-Term Effects
Over time, symptoms of trauma can develop into chronic aches, pains, or more serious illnesses. Weight gain, depression, and anxiety are all common, as are depression and general nausea. We often recommend that clients touch base with their primary care physician. Have your doctor check your bloodwork. Look for underlying physical conditions that may be making your stress response more harmful.
Seeking Treatment
There are all kinds of great treatments for trauma! EMDR is one method that is used to take advantage of the way the human brain works to rewrite stress responses. Alternative and holistic approaches can be very helpful when done with an eye toward healing.
Aromatherapy, massage, and trauma-focused CBT therapy are all good ways to shake yourself out of fight-or-flight mode. If you’re living with trauma, please reach out for help in trauma therapy.
Whether you’re carrying the weight of trauma, navigating pain and shame around intimacy, or feeling buried under the mental load of daily life, you don't have to keep doing it alone. Profound healing is possible, intimacy is worth fighting for, and the right support can change everything.
Welcome to Sea Glass. Here, the work is short-term, focused, and designed to help you step out of survival mode and into a life that actually feels good. Choose from Intensive EMDR therapy, sex therapy for Christians, or Fair Play coaching - all effective techniques grounded in the neurobiology of healing, connection, and lasting change. Virtual therapy services are available to adults located in Ohio. Fair Play coaching is open to couples anywhere in the USA.
You deserve to feel whole, connected, and hopeful - and I’d love to help you get there. Request an appointment today to take the first step toward the life and relationship you've been longing for.
