Unraveling the Threads: Understanding Trauma through the Lens of Our Nervous System

Trauma is a powerful force that can reshape the landscape of the mind and body, often triggering the body's fight-or-flight (sympathetic mode) or the freeze-or-fawn response (survival mode) within the autonomic nervous system. It's like an echo from the past, a survival mechanism imprinted deep within us.

When left unaddressed, these responses can become a loop, leaving the nervous system oscillating between hypervigilance and shutdown, sometimes for decades after the traumatic event. It's a relentless cycle that impacts not only our mental but also our physical well-being.

As a child, when you experience a traumatic event, it frequently goes unaddressed. Unless you had trauma-informed parents that were aware of the long-term impacts of trauma, you likely had to move forward and shake it off. Unfortunately, unresolved trauma can get stuck in the physical body and establish a dysfunctional and negative loop in the nervous system. While the event may be over, the impacts of a traumatic experience can live on in your body for decades.

Research shows that adults who had traumatic experiences in childhood are more likely to experience neurological dysfunction as they get older. 

On a biological level, trauma leaves its mark on the limbic system of the brain, the center of our behavioral and emotional responses. It's the epicenter of our autonomic nervous system's reaction when we perceive danger—a natural response for our survival.

Moreover, trauma exerts its influence on the intricate hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis within the brain. The HPA axis is a complex network of neuroendocrine pathways designed to maintain your body's equilibrium and the well-being of your nervous system. It's responsible for managing stress and regulating the stress hormone cortisol. When this system undergoes abnormal development due to trauma, it can lead to long-term alterations in both behavior and autonomic functions in adulthood, resulting in fluctuating cortisol levels.

As a heart-centered trauma healing coach and RTT Therapist, my mission is to walk alongside you on your unique healing journey. We'll navigate the complexities of trauma with compassion, acknowledging that your path to recovery is profoundly personal. Together, we'll explore the intricate interplay between your emotional experiences and the biology of trauma, seeking to restore balance, resilience, and lasting healing in your life.

It's a journey of self-compassion, where we honor the resilience within you. The aim is not just to alleviate the symptoms but to reintegrate the fragmented parts of your being, nurturing both your physical and psychosocial development.

“ Healing and growth require retraining your nervous system. The nervous system holds the key to the body’s ability to heal itself.” ~ Kathy Overman

As always, thank you for being here with me,