Trauma significantly impacts the nervous system, particularly the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates involuntary bodily functions.
Imagine you’re walking through the Kruger National Park and suddenly spot a lion stalking you. Instantly, your body reacts: your heart races, breathing quickens, muscles tense, and pupils dilate. This is your sympathetic nervous system, a branch of the ANS, activating the fight-or-flight response to prepare you for immediate action.
However, in modern life, threats aren’t typically as overt as a lion. Yet, due to past traumas, our ANS can misinterpret non-threatening situations as dangers. For instance, a raised voice or a specific scent, or a thought might trigger the same intense reactions, even when there’s no real threat. This misfiring is the body’s way of protecting itself based on previous experiences.
Living in a Constant State of Dysregulation
When the ANS is perpetually activated without real danger, it leads to a state of chronic dysregulation. This condition can manifest in various ways:
- Hyperarousal: Constant vigilance, irritability, insomnia, and anxiety.
- Hypoarousal: Emotional numbness, fatigue, depression, and dissociation.
This persistent state of imbalance can have profound effects on both physical and mental health.
Most people don’t realise they’re living in a persistent state of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation, because it feels like their “normal.” But there are clear signs in the body, emotions, behaviours, and relationships that point to chronic dysregulation.
Here’s how you can tell if someone (or yourself) might be in this state:
Persistent dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) often shows up as a constant sense of unease, anxiety, or emotional numbness, even in the absence of real danger. People may feel stuck in survival mode, overthinking, hypervigilant, easily triggered, or completely shut down. Physically, it can lead to fatigue, gut issues, chronic tension, and sleep problems. Emotionally, it may cause mood swings, disconnection, and an inability to relax or feel safe. Behaviourally, it shows through avoidance, compulsive habits, or an inability to slow down
| Category | Common Signs |
| Mental | Brain fog, poor memory, hypervigilance |
| Emotional | Anxiety, numbness, emotional reactivity |
| Physical | Fatigue, gut issues, tension, poor sleep |
| Behaviour | Avoidance, addiction, hyperproductivity |
| Social | Isolation, trust issues, emotional disconnection |
Trauma can manifest in various aspects of our lives. Here’s how to identify its influence:
Parenting Challenges
- Emotional Reactivity: Overreacting to minor incidents.
- Avoidance: Withdrawing from parenting responsibilities.
- Inconsistent Discipline: Fluctuating between strict and lenient approaches.
- Projection: Attributing personal trauma responses to the child.
These patterns often stem from unresolved trauma affecting emotional regulation and attachment styles.
Academic and Occupational Difficulties
- Concentration Issues: Difficulty focusing on tasks.
- Memory Impairments: Challenges in retaining information.
- Executive Dysfunction: Struggles with planning and decision-making.
- Increased Absenteeism: Avoiding work or school due to anxiety or depressive symptoms.
Such challenges can hinder performance and progression in educational and professional settings.
Pathways to Healing
Recognising trauma’s impact is the first step toward healing. Various therapeutic approaches can facilitate recovery:
Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that helps individuals process and integrate traumatic memories. It involves guided eye movements while recalling distressing events, aiming to reduce their emotional charge. EMDR has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD and other trauma-related conditions. Approaches like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) have also shown efficacy in addressing trauma-related symptoms.
Gut Health
The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in emotional regulation. Trauma can disrupt gut microbiota, leading to gastrointestinal issues and mood disturbances. Interventions include:
- Probiotic Supplementation: Restores healthy gut bacteria balance.
- Dietary Adjustments: Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods and reducing processed food intake.
- Mindfulness Practices: Stress-reduction techniques like meditation and yoga support gut health.
Embracing the Possibility of Change
Many individuals operate under the belief that their responses and behaviours are fixed traits, unaware of the underlying trauma influencing them. However, with awareness and appropriate interventions, healing and transformation are attainable. Therapies like EMDR, combined with attention to physical health aspects such as gut health, can significantly improve quality of life.
If you or someone you know resonates with these experiences, consider consulting with a trauma-informed therapist or healthcare provider to explore personalised healing pathways.