Beyond the Trauma: How Trauma Can Affect Your Mental Health and Wellbeing
Trauma impacts the relationship we have with ourself, and the world. A lot of conversations I’ve had this week with my clients, as a somatic therapist, have centered around education about the common changes that happen in a person’s brain after a traumatic experience (or from growing up in a family dynamic with ongoing, overwhelming emotional experiences). I believe it’s really important to normalize these common and natural responses to something that was unnatural, and overwhelming. Normalizing the symptoms and struggles that are happening in daily life can really help move out of a shame response that often contributes to feeling stuck. And understanding how these experiences impact us can help us get some power back and take steps towards supporting our recovery process.
So here we go, ways trauma affects the brain and body:
Living in a chronic state of defense - After trauma, our brains can get stuck in a perpetual state of defense mode, making us more prone to misinterpreting the world around us. When we're constantly on high alert, our senses become super sensitive to potential threats, and we start to see danger lurking around every corner. At the same time, our brains also become more likely to misread cues of safety. It's like our brains are constantly asking, "Is this safe? Is this a threat?" and we're never quite sure. This can lead to a never-ending cycle of hypervigilance, where we're always on the lookout for the next potential danger, even when there isn't one. It's exhausting, and those experiencing this may be feeling especially on edge, dealing with chronic pain, physically tense, avoidant, restless and unable to relax.
Difficulty with filtering information - The aftermath of traumatic experiences can significantly impede an individual's ability to filter and distinguish between relevant and non-essential information, leading to cognitive overload and disorganization. Trauma disrupts the normal functioning of the brain's information processing systems. As a result, individuals may find themselves overwhelmed by a constant barrage of stimuli, struggling to prioritize and focus on what is truly important. This can lead to feelings of disorientation, anxiety, and hypervigilance, as the brain becomes stuck in a state of perpetual alertness, making it difficult to stay present and grounded. The inability to effectively filter information can also contribute to rumination and intrusive thoughts, further exacerbating the sense of disorganization and emotional distress.
Internal experience of constant fearfulness - This pervasive sense of fearfulness often manifests as a deep sadness and heartbreak. Which can become chronic painful emotional states. As the brain struggles to cope with this overwhelming internal experience, it often disconnects from, or dampens, the feeling. This makes a ton of sense and is the brain’s way of tolerating the experience. However, this, in turn, leads to a disconnection, or dampening, from experiences of daily pleasure, as the brain prioritizes survival over enjoyment. As a result, individuals may find themselves numb to the world around them, struggling to access feelings of joy, satisfaction, or contentment. This disconnection from pleasure can have far-reaching consequences, including difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships, experiencing emotional regulation, and engaging in activities that bring happiness. People that have experienced trauma often describe daily pleasures feeling inaccessible or foreign.
Survival mode hinders curiosity and inspiration - Sometimes, trauma can leave you stuck in a perpetual state of survival, where just making it through each day feels like a major accomplishment. When you're constantly fighting to stay afloat, it's hard to muster up the energy to imagine a successful future or feel hopeful about what's to come. It's like your brain is on autopilot, just trying to get through the next hour, the next day, the next week. And even when you do catch a glimpse of something inspiring - a beautiful sunset, a kind word from a friend, a spark of creativity - it can feel impossible to register it, because your brain is focused on worrying about the next challenge, the next thing that could go wrong - and your body is braced. This state of survival can become a cycle, where the focus remains fixed on mere existence, rather than growth, development, or aspirations. This can lead to a sense of stagnation and disconnection from one's own potential, further exacerbating the emotional toll of the trauma.
After a traumatic experience it’s common for our brains to go through some of these major changes. Our brain and body are working together to try and cope with the overwhelming experience. These changes can make it tough to feel like ourselves, and that’s where shame can creep in. But here’s the thing: these changes are not a reflection of our worth or strength. By acknowledging and normalizing changes that occur to keep us alive, we can start to take back control and make some healing choices that support our recovery.
Considering the context of trauma
It is crucial to acknowledge that when discussing trauma and trauma recovery, many individuals are forced to exist in a perpetual state of trauma, often due to systemic and pervasive forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, ageism, and war trauma. The brain's response to chronic stress and trauma can have profound and lasting effects on an individual's well-being. It is essential to understand individual differences, and understand many are still living in the trauma and have much more difficulty establishing any sense of safety and stability. By recognizing the nuances of trauma and its impact on the brain, we can better understand the complexities of trauma recovery and develop more effective support for individuals and communities in their healing journeys.
Reach out if you have any questions or want some support in finding more information about the effects of trauma on our emotional and physical health.
Trauma Recovery in NC
I specialize in trauma recovery and attachment trauma, providing somatic experiencing, EMDR, and psychotherapy in Asheville, NC. If you’re interested in learning more about my practice and somatic therapy, check out my website here.