It’s not all in your head, your body holds on to memories of trauma, too.

The mind-body connection is the link between a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour and their physical symptoms.

The impact of trauma is not limited to the mind but can also be stored and manifested in the body. Traumatic experiences can leave a lasting imprint on the body's nervous system, affecting physical sensations, movements, and overall well-being. This mind-body connection is an important aspect of trauma and its effects on individuals. When a person experiences trauma, the body's stress response system, including the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, is activated. In acute situations, this response is adaptive and helps individuals respond to the threat. However, in cases of chronic or repeated trauma, such as ongoing abuse or combat exposure, the body's stress response can become dysregulated.

Here are a few ways in which the body holds on to memories of trauma:

Somatic symptoms:

Trauma can manifest in the body through various somatic symptoms, such as chronic pain, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, or sleep disturbances. These physical symptoms may not have an apparent medical explanation and can be linked to the impact of trauma on the body's stress response system.

Body memories:

Traumatic experiences can become stored as sensory or emotional memories in the body. This can result in individuals experiencing physical sensations, muscle tension, or involuntary reactions that are triggered by reminders or cues associated with the trauma. For example, a person who has experienced a car accident may feel a surge of anxiety or tension when approaching or driving in a car.

Hypervigilance and startle response:

Individuals who have experienced trauma may exhibit hypervigilance, an exaggerated state of alertness, and a heightened startle response. Their bodies may be constantly on guard, ready to react to perceived threats. This physiological response can contribute to feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and difficulty relaxing or feeling safe.

Body-based therapies:

Recognizing the body's role in trauma recovery, various therapeutic approaches aim to address trauma's impact on the body directly. Examples include Somatic Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), which focus on restoring the body's natural regulatory processes and releasing stored trauma-related tension.

It's important to approach trauma recovery with a holistic perspective, considering both the psychological and physiological aspects. Integrated approaches that address the mind-body connection can be effective in supporting individuals in their healing journey, helping them release trauma's hold on both their minds and bodies.

Nurturing your mind-body connection plays an important role in looking after your wellbeing and at Body Somatic Counselling, we look forward to helping you do just that 💙

The mind - body connection is the link between a person’s feelings and their physical symptoms. The memories of trauma can also be manifested in the body.