Trauma Is Misunderstood: Here’s What No One Told You
Trauma is widely misunderstood as merely an event or a series of events that change our physiological state. However, trauma is much more complex and deeply rooted in our biology, physical health, and neurological systems. Trauma isn't the event itself; it's our response to an event that overwhelms our capacity to process and cope with what happened. Not all stressful, harmful, or life-threatening situations result in trauma; a trauma response occurs when we are unable to escape or fully process these experiences. Trauma is less about the event itself and more about the way our bodies and minds intuitively and automatically react to what has happened. It’s a massive concept to grasp, so let’s break it down event more…
Trauma is SO much more than memories.
When we experience something traumatic, our brains and bodies respond instinctively to protect us. Our nervous system—connected to the brain, organs, and muscles—activates a survival response known as fight, flight, or freeze to help us deal with the immediate threat. This is also referred to as a “stress response” because a threat to survival naturally creates stress in the body. However, when the situation is too intense or we are unable to physically escape or defend ourselves, the energy that our incredibly intelligent body has mobilized to fight or run has no way to discharge because we’re frozen and immobile. So, what happens to this energy? It becomes trapped and stuck in the body, where it remains until it can be released.
This is where trauma becomes complex. Even though the event may have ended, the physiological (body) and neurological (brain) responses to that event continue to persist. Our brains are designed to protect us, and in overwhelming situations, one way they do this is by initiating dissociation—separating our consciousness from the experience. This process involves redirecting blood flow from certain areas of the brain to others that are more critical for survival. As a result, while some aspects of the experience may be stored in our conscious memory, much of it is stored unconsciously, deep within our bodies—in the nervous system, muscles, and organs.
Since the body holds on to the energy that was mobilized to help us survive the trauma—because we weren’t able to complete the survival response by fighting, fleeing, or resolving the situation—this trapped energy manifests as symptoms commonly associated with “mental illness.” These can include anxiety, depression, chronic stress, anger, fatigue, over-reactivity, hyper-sensitivity, numbness, digestive issues, and even chronic physical illnesses.
The Link Between Trauma and Chronic Illness
Trauma has profound effects on our physical health as well. The unresolved energy from traumatic events can lead to a range of chronic health conditions. When the body remains stuck in a state of hyperarousal (always alert and on guard) or shutdown (constantly dissociated), it is in a state of chronic stress. Over time, this relentless stress wears down the body, affecting nearly every system in the body. The immune system may become compromised, leading to autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis. The digestive system can also be impacted, resulting in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome, and other gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, chronic stress from unresolved trauma can contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and various inflammatory diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Simply put: a traumatic event leads to chronic stress, which creates inflammation in the body and can result in physical illness. By addressing the traumatic event, we alleviate chronic stress, reduce inflammation, and create the opportunity for the body to heal.
How Somatic Experiencing® Can Help
Let me start by saying there’s hope—you don’t have to remain traumatized, stressed, or physically ill forever. Somatic Experiencing® (SE), developed by Dr. Peter Levine, is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals process and release the stored traumatic energy in their bodies. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses primarily on the mind and verbal expression, SE taps into the body’s innate ability to heal itself. The best part is that this therapy empowers you, the individual, to heal yourself, with the support and guidance of a therapist or SE Practitioner (SEP).
SE is grounded in biology, psychology, and neuroscience. It is based on the observation that animals in the wild, after surviving life-threatening situations, naturally return to a state of calm and do not develop trauma the way humans often do. This is because animals instinctively complete the fight, flight, or freeze response. However, humans often suppress these natural processes due to societal norms, leaving the traumatic energy unprocessed and trapped within the body.
In an SE session, the focus is on gently guiding the client to reconnect with their body’s sensations and gradually release the trapped energy. This process helps to complete the survival response that was interrupted by trauma, allowing the body and mind to return to a state of balance and well-being.
Healing Beyond the Mind
Trauma affects every part of us—our minds, our bodies, and our spirits. So healing from trauma requires a holistic approach that addresses all of these aspects. Somatic Experiencing® helps us to unravel the imprints of trauma from our bodies, releasing the stored energy that has been causing distress. By working through the body, SE allows us to reclaim our sense of safety, power, and vitality. It helps to restore the connection between mind and body that trauma so often disrupts, paving the way for true healing and a more vibrant, healthy life.
Trauma is complex, but healing is possible. Through body-oriented modalities like Somatic Experiencing®, we can address the deep-seated effects of trauma and move towards a life that is not just free from the past, but fully alive in the present.
Break FREE from the past, become FULLY ALIVE in the present.
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