How Trauma Affects the Human Body

Trauma can hit hard, all of us. We’re not just talking about physical trauma, although the lingering after-effects of trauma-related pain can certainly cause their own brand of havoc on our bodies. Emotional trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have a huge and rather profound effect on the human body. The result of which can often lead to addiction, depression, and a host of other concerns that should be addressed in order to help you to regain your life back. When traumatic events occur, it can take a significant amount of time to get over the memories, the emotions, and the feeling of just not being able to feel safe.

How Psychological Trauma Affects People Physically

When your sense of security has been shattered by an incredibly stressful event, your body can often react in different ways. Trauma may occur when you experience the following situations:

• Events that occur without warning
• Events that you were not prepared to deal with
• Negative events that occurred multiple times
• Events that left you feeling powerless
• Events that left you feeling remorseful without resolution

No one is immune from seeing a correlation between trauma and your health. Those who are able to heal sooner are those who are equipped with the coping mechanisms that can help you to move on productively.

PTSD Symptoms and Health Problems

Symptoms can manifest both physically and mentally. Keep in mind that physical manifestations can often complicate your ability to heal mentally, especially if you are struggling with addiction on top of trauma. Some physical symptoms include the following:

• Night terrors and insomnia, which lead to fatigue and difficulty concentrating
• Agitation and anxiety, especially in unfamiliar places
• Having an extreme startle reflex, this could result in rage or further withdrawing
• Withdrawing from social situations, or even personal relationships
• Anger, rage, and mood swings
• Feelings of being numb or otherwise disconnected from reality and those around you
• Aches and pains that have no other explanation
• Racing heart, high blood pressure, and diabetics may find their blood sugar levels difficult to control

PTSD is perhaps the most severe type of trauma; it often includes realistic flashbacks that intrude on your day-to-day life. This often leads PTSD sufferers towards substance abuse as a method of coping.
Often seen in veterans, PTSD can also affect anyone who has undergone an extreme emotional and psychological event. This could include sexual assault, a car accident, the loss of a family member, or even difficulties in the workplace.

Treatment for Trauma and Addiction

Getting help for your trauma and addiction together can help you reclaim your life. A rehab facility that offers an integrated treatment for PTSD and addiction can provide you with a safe, secure, and stable environment in which to process both your addiction and trauma at your own pace.

Your addiction and trauma together can make you feel like you will never gain control of your life again. You may feel as though you will never have a sense of safety or comfort. However, our skilled counselors are equipped with the tools needed to help you process, analyze, and work toward healing from your trauma while also recovering from your addictions.

Help with Trauma and Addiction

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Call our 24 hour, toll-free helpline right now and our compassionate counselors can provide you with confidential information to help you get started on the path toward recovery.