The Connection Between Trauma And Autoimmune Disorders: A Closer Look

The Connection Between Trauma And Autoimmune Disorders 1

Did you know that there is a strong link between trauma and autoimmune disorders? This article is going to explore the connection between trauma and autoimmune disorders and how trauma therapy can help towards healing the pain. 

I’ve noticed over the years that many of my clients who have experienced trauma and other adverse childhood experiences (ACE) tend to suffer from higher incidences of autoimmune disorders, such as Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and other inflammatory conditions. A June 2018 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirms the connection.

Related: Can Trauma Cause Memory Loss? Understanding The Link Between The Two

There seems to be a direct correlation between childhood trauma, the nervous system being stuck on high alert, uninterrupted flooding of stress hormones and chronic fatigue and inflammation.

Resolution of trauma symptoms is essential if the body is to recover and restore itself.

Trauma Therapy in a Nutshell

Effective Trauma Therapy starts with the establishment of emotional and cognitive safety in therapy.

In the early stages, a client with an unresolved history of trauma is first supported to stay calmly in the present moment, and is guided and taught how to gently bring themself back to the present should they experience flight responses, such as emotional overwhelm, aka ‘flooding’, or ‘freeze’ responses like dissociation or going numb.

trauma and autoimmune disorders

Once the individual is able to stay present calmly and voluntarily, then whatever traumatic memories, feelings or associations they have been struggling with can be processed and integrated.

Trauma therapy usually involves gradual desensitization to traumatic memories, and utilizes cognitive, emotional and somatic (body based) approaches.

Interventions such progressive desensitization, where traumatic memories are paired with guided relaxation, as well as Hypnosis and EMDR all work to settle down distress in the emotional brain, and to create new, more positive associations that reduce anxiety and increase emotional stability, thereby creating hope and a greater sense of self efficacy, aka ‘I can do it’, for survivors.

Related: Why Do Adverse Childhood Experiences Harm Us As Adults?

Over time, as a stronger bridge is built from the emotional brain to the front brain, traumatic stress responses decrease. Traumatic memories become more neutralized ‘stories’ that can be integrated and no longer cause distress.

These novel and neutral associations help forge new neural pathways to healing, and build the foundation to physical as well as emotional recovery from chronic stress based health problems such as autoimmune disorders.

References:

Association of Stress-Related Disorders With Subsequent Autoimmune Disease; Huan Song, MD, PhD; Fang Fang, MD, PhD; Gunnar Tomasson, MD, PhD; Journal of the American Medical Association, 2018
Written By Glynis Sherwood MEd
Originally Appeared On Glynis Sherwood
trauma therapy
trauma therapy

— Share —

, , , ,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

The Ultimate Guide to Emotional Parentification

The Ultimate Guide to Emotional Parentification 1

Have you ever felt like you were the parent in your relationship with your mom and dad? That’s emotional parentification, and it’s a lot more common than you think.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

What is Parentification?

Do you f

Up Next

Caught in a Loop: The Role of Repetition Compulsion in Relationships

Why We Repeat Painful Patterns in Relationships 1

Repetition compulsion is a common issue in relationships, leading many people to relive old hurts and conflicts. These recurring patterns and conflicts can feel frustration and bewildering. Explore how repetition compulsion works in the article below.

KEY POINTS

The “repetition compulsion” is a basic concept in psychotherapy.

Freud believed the repetition compulsion was a reflection of the death instinct—an unconscious drive toward self-destruction.

The repetition compulsion is acted out through processes such as displacement and projection.

Up Next

What Is Irrational Guilt And How Can You Overcome It?

What Is Irrational Guilt And How Can You Overcome It 2

There are so many people in this world who suffer from irrational guilt over things that were completely out of their control. It’s a heavy burden to carry and if you are one of them, then know that you are not alone. Living with irrational guilt is heartbreaking, but overcoming irrational guilt is not as impossible as it may seem.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Up Next

Spotting Emotional Neglect In Childhood: 8 Important Clues

Spotting Emotional Neglect In Childhood Important Clues 1

Anyone who has been through emotional neglect in childhood knows that it never leaves you; it haunts you for the rest of your life. It’s like an invisible wound, that may not leave invisible scars, but it can shape you in ways you might not even notice.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Maybe it was the feeling that something’s missing from your childhood, but you cou

Up Next

7 Proven Ways To Process And Heal From Collective Trauma

Healing from Collective Trauma Strategies for Coping 1

Facing trauma not only as an individual but as a part of a community is real. It can happen for multiple reasons but grave societal issues are the primary ones.

Hence, sometimes this trauma can be inherited from the family as well. This is a shared collective trauma that elderly family members may pass on to their children and it continues.

Suppose your grandparents faced tremendous trauma for a particular type of social issue that may happen frequently but does not become a grave matter always. Hence, this fear of loss may pass to your parents and come to you.

So, now you have trauma for this particular type of social issue, and whenever you see it is going to happen you become extremely traumatized and anxious. Therefore, sometimes you may be a part of c

Up Next

Forgiveness After Trauma: 7 Practical Steps For Embracing Forgiveness And Healing

Forgiveness After Trauma Steps For Embracing Healing 1

Forgiveness after trauma can feel impossible, but it’s a powerful step towards healing and reclaiming your peace. Explore how you can embrace forgiveness and finally move on from your painful past.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

In this life, each of us has a tapestry of experiences. Many of those pieces, unfortunately, come with the heavy and dark t

Up Next

7 Common Trauma Beliefs Preventing You From Finding Love

Trauma Beliefs That Might Be Keeping You Single 1

Are you still single, even after putting in a lot of effort to find love? The answer might lie in your trauma beliefs. Yes, you heard me right. Trauma beliefs are the deep-seated, often subconscious notions formed from past painful experiences that shape how you see yourself and relationships, in general.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

— Follow Us —