Understanding Trauma: Its Impact on Physiology and Beyond

**Understanding Trauma**

Trauma is defined as an experience where individuals feel they have no
choice, deeply affecting their psychological state. It can result from
various distressing events, such as warfare, abuse, or assaults, overwhelming
our natural defenses and creating injuries within the autonomic nervous
system. This leads to disconnection from feelings of safety and
resourcefulness, rendering individuals unable to integrate their experiences.
Trauma fundamentally changes a person, leading them to feel disconnected from
their former selves, a sentiment echoed by experts like Bessel van der Kolk
and Peter Levine.

When threatened, our physiological responses typically prepare us for fight
or flight; if neither is possible, we may freeze. In the case of trauma,
individuals remain stuck in a freeze state, unable to process or integrate
their experiences. This state can stem from a range of events considered
threatening, whether singular instances like an assault or the cumulative
effects of prolonged psychological, physical, or sexual abuse. Notably, one
doesn’t have to be a direct victim to experience trauma; exposure to
violent situations can also lead to similar symptoms.

**Types and Impacts of Trauma**

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a specific, diagnosable condition
arising from trauma experiences. It may manifest differently based on the
nature of the trauma, as highlighted by Bessel van der Kolk, who illustrates
distinctions between PTSD, Developmental Trauma Disorder, and Complex Trauma.
PTSD is scientifically understood not merely as a psychological issue but
rather as a biological one, revealing differences in brain activity between
individuals with PTSD and those with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Trauma is pervasive, affecting many individuals across communities.
Statistically, over 70% of people report lifetime trauma exposure globally,
with staggering figures from the U.S. revealing that 61% of men and 51% of
women have faced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Furthermore,
trauma’s nature varies significantly with gender and age, impacting both
physical and psychological health, sometimes leading to conditions like PTSD
or triggering severe emotional and physical responses.

**Consequences of Trauma**

Individuals dealing with trauma often experience life through a distorted
lens, marked by heightened stress responses and an inability to recover to a
baseline state effectively. Common symptoms include memory issues,
irritability, depression, hyper-vigilance, sleep disorders, and recurrent
trauma recollections. These effects do not solely impact mental health but
can lead to long-term physical health complications as well. Such profound
changes in a person’s psyche prevent effective communication of thoughts
and feelings, further alienating individuals from their emotional experiences
and inhibiting healing.

Physical manifestations of trauma can include headaches, gastrointestinal
distress, and chronic pain, leading to further serious health issues like
autoimmune diseases. The struggle to process trauma often results in the
body’s energy being disrupted, culminating in abnormal sensations or total
numbness in some areas. The implications are vast, as untreated trauma can
perpetuate negative cycles that affect future generations—underscoring that
unresolved trauma is often transferred rather than transformed.

**Navigating Trauma and Healing**

Successfully addressing trauma requires an understanding of how it affects
the body and mind. Healing involves a recalibration of the nervous system and
a return to balance after overwhelming experiences. Trauma treatment must
engage the body, mind, and emotions holistically. Jordan emphasizes that when
people recount their trauma, they may find themselves re-traumatized or face
judgment, complicating their healing journey. Therefore, it’s crucial to
foster empathetic listening and understanding during discussions about
trauma, ensuring survivors feel heard and supported.

Children are especially vulnerable, with over 50% facing adversities that
can lead to lasting trauma. Acknowledging and validating trauma experiences
allow individuals to redefine their sense of self and purpose, facilitating
healing. The experience of trauma is deeply intertwined with brain functions,
often rendering survivors with diminished emotional awareness and a disrupted
sense of reality.

For further information on how trauma affects physiology, please visit
[this
link](https://ashtanga.tech/study-guide/adaptation/trauma-ptsd/trauma-introduction-how-trauma-affects-physiology-more/).