We live in a world full of challenges. Most humans have experienced trauma in some form. In this case, I am referring to emotional and spiritual trauma. Trauma can be caused by all sorts of distressing events, such as physical abuse, emotional neglect, the loss of a loved one, or a significant life transition.

When we are subjected to circumstances beyond our own control, our bodies  experience some kind of reaction. This response will define whether we are “traumatized.” Therefore, we can think of trauma not as the situation itself, but as our bodies’ subsequent response to it. Some describe trauma as being stuck in the body. The brain represses the overwhelming emotions when it has no way of processing them.

Children are especially vulnerable to this because they often lack the mental and emotional resources that many adults are able to develop. As a result, children use trauma as a coping mechanism, which distorts their worldview.

Mental, emotional, and somatic (or body-related) symptoms also result from trauma. These can vary from mild to severe—including anxiety, chronic fatigue, sleep disruptions, brain fog, mood fluctuations, eating disturbances, negative beliefs, social withdrawal, irritable bowels, hypervigilance, or unexplained aches and pains.

Addiction is often related to trauma as well. In most cases, some unresolved pain exists at the core of these behaviors. Substance abuse is a common tactic to repress the trauma, so it does not have to be experienced again. It is an erroneous defense mechanism that our emotional and mental bodies use to “protect” us from further injury, even though these behaviors contribute to the same cycle of pain.

Trauma correlates with most psychiatric diagnoses. One of the most significant difficulties with modern psychiatry is that a “mental illness” label is the endpoint of evaluation. This label allows for medication, but it does not account for the root cause of symptoms. In fact, most psychiatric medication does what alcohol and other substances do: mask the core issue and numb out the feelings.

As such, we learn to disconnect from our own emotions, which is a problem since healing from trauma requires us to embody those feelings. This means naming and accepting our emotions, allowing them to be present without judgment, understanding their root causes, and processing them fully—even when it’s uncomfortable.

When trauma becomes internalized within us, we lose access to a part of ourselves. This can sometimes result in a lack of self-compassion and self-love. Fortunately, healing is possible. By sitting with our emotions, we can discern what is related to the present and what is the residue of past experiences. This reflection helps us identify the unresolved or imbalanced emotions, so we can effectively course correct.

We can also ask our bodies what they are telling us with the pain. We can’t change our behaviors until we know what causes these actions in the first place. So, if you experience any signs of trauma, I encourage you to check in with yourself. Reflect on what you are dealing with at this moment. Take a breath and communicate self-love. This is the first step on the journey toward healing. 

Dr. Fred Harvey is the Medical Director of Functional Medicine Florida. He is quadruple board-certified in Internal, Geriatric, Holistic-Integrative, and Functional Medicine and specializes in chronic illness recovery and prevention. Dr. Harvey is now accepting new patients to work with Dr. Fred Harvey at Functional Medicine Florida. For more information, call 941- 929-9355 or visit https://functionalmedicineflorida.com/