A 5-Part Trauma Series: Trauma (PTSD) Symptoms and Treatment Somatic/Physical

Part 4: Somatization Physiology and Trauma

Trauma (PTSD) Somatic/Physical Symptoms: Introduction

This blog continues a 5-part series on trauma symptoms and treatment.

The 5 parts will include 1) Hypervigilance/Anxiety symptoms 2) Depressive symptoms 3) Avoidance/Dissociation symptoms 4) Physical/Somatic symptoms and finally 5) Treatment. Each piece will be released approximately every 2-3 weeks,

This somatic section of trauma symptom experience can be the most upsetting to trauma survivors as it is less logical, and harder to understand as a result.

Our body does remember trauma intensely through somatic/physical symptoms and this can get triggered at any time, especially when potentially triggering stimuli is introduced ex. Loud noises trigger somatic responses if you are a war survivor or first responder.

Let’s break some of this down into what this feels like as you go about your life.

Trigger alert-please take care of yourself as this may be a triggering or hard read.

Trauma (PTSD) Somatic Physical Symptoms: Body Memories

Body memories seem to be the strongest and most misunderstood piece to the complex trauma constellation.

This refers to the body remembering trauma in a way that is often disconnected from our executive functioning and/or logical pieces of our brain that develop later in our human development.

Bear with me!

In real life and time, you may get a strange physical sensation connected to your trauma, often sexual trauma, that is disgusting and disturbing Ex. The sensation of being sexually touched, seemingly out of nowhere with no person involved. You may experience a sudden numbing of the body that feels like being hit by a wave of water when you experience a trigger, intense affect.

The theory around this includes: the body keeps strong memories in our first brain that is in our gut, upper belly under the chest sternum.

Hence, feeling a very strong gut reaction in spaces (“I love the vibe of that place”) or when meeting a new person (“there is something about that guy I just can’t stand”), for example.

While we are in utero a second brain develops through the myelination process, the brain we better recognize.

But our first “gut” brain remains powerful throughout our life, a non-verbal one. Due to being non-verbal, it encodes memory differently, especially in our childhood when our neocortex (logical/language brain) is still developing.

Some clients have come to me as they experience physical sensations that are strange, seemingly completely disconnected for memory, a scary thing for many.

However, a body memory can be connected to thought and other feelings at times as well. So if you visit a family member that abused you, you may experience a physical piece when triggered in their presence and know exactly what is happening.

For more reading on The Body Keeps the Score

Trauma (PTSD) Somatic Physical Symptoms: Physical Symptoms and Illness Concurrent with Trauma

This piece highlights the physical impact that chronic stress can take on the human body.

When we experience stress, our bodies release chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol — hormones that are part of our natural "fight or flight" response. These stress hormones are designed to help us respond quickly, an evolutionary adaptation to get us out of danger quickly.

When these chemicals are released too frequently, due to ongoing psychological stressors such as anxiety, unresolved trauma and emotional agitation, the body remains in a heightened state of alert over an extended period. These chemicals can begin to wear down various bodily systems leading to inflammation, immune suppression, and imbalances in blood sugar.

This impacts the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

The stress response can also impact the digestive system and aggravate existing health conditions, weaken the body’s ability to recover from illness, and contribute to the development or worsening of mental health issues such as depression and burnout.

Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia

Something I see often in clients with personal trauma histories includes chronic pain.

Fibromyalgia seems to be the most common diagnosis in these cases. This is a nerve disorder in which the body feels pain for seemingly, no reason.

This seems to be linked to dissociation, not being present in the body, especially when having intense emotions. This is strictly anecdotal and observational as a clinician, something I’ve noted over the years. Another piece of the body holding onto unprocessed trauma.

Fibromyalgia can also be caused by physical trauma, especially repeated trauma Ex. Long-term physical abuse in a domestic partnership.

Digestive concerns and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Digestion issues seem to be related to affect regulation, especially co-concurrent with childhood trauma.

Learning healthy emotional regulation in an abusive household is, simply put, impossible. We can’t learn and receive comfort from our abusers due to their inconsistent behaviour patterns that trigger fear responses.

This is where we learn hypervigilance including long-term agitation, linked to digestive issues. A common diagnosis my clients report is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Muscle Tension

Muscle tension is related to increased levels of cortisol and unhealthy coping strategies such as eating badly, binge eating, drinking, often used when trauma symptoms are intense.

We know we should choose healthy strategies such as exercise and meditating but binge eating, smoking weed, drinking etc. offer more immediate gratification when we are suffering.

These unhealthy coping strategies, while effective short-term, cause cortisol release as the body is stressed, resulting in inflammation. This inflammation can cause muscle tension, aches and pains, headaches as well as exacerbate many pre-existing health issues.

Trauma (PTSD) Somatic Physical Symptoms: Impaired Function

Trauma can include symptoms numerous and extreme enough to cause functional impairment. It is hard to go to work when we are having panic attacks. There are a number of impairment types expanded upon below.

Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction can either be directly related to trauma, Ex. Vaginismus (pain as vaginal muscles tighten during penetration rather than relax) when sexually abused or indirect Ex. You have developed Type 2 diabetes, in part, due to binge eating and now experience Erectile Dysfunction (inability to get or maintain an erection affecting intercourse) related to this physical diagnosis.

Please note many people experience sexual dysfunction that is not related to trauma as well. It is included here as there is a higher incidence in trauma survivors of sexual problems.

Social Functioning

Social functioning is often due to avoidance behaviour. If your trauma symptoms are acute, you may find it challenging to relax with friends and loved ones.

Work Functioning

Work function is often impacted by trauma and other related mental health diagnoses. It may be hard to get out of bed some days, Ex. vegetative symptoms. Cognitive and attentional issues may plague you. You may dissociate often, struggling with being present at work.

Daily Functioning

Daily functioning can be affected by trauma and related mental health symptoms such as depression. Energy levels can be low and it is imperative to do less, impacting the ability to cook for yourself and your family, clean your place.

Conclusion and Next Steps

This completes the 4 parts that describe trauma symptoms and experience. The final part will review treatment options to mitigate these described symptoms and heal, making space for joy and healthier relationships.

Stay tuned in a few weeks for the treatment section of this series and the final piece.

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Lisa S.