When the body speaks

For many years now I have been interested in the link between emotional pain and physical illness. One of the earliest books I read on this topic was "You can heal your life" by Louise Hay in which she describes the emotional causes of symptoms in the body. Later I discovered the book "Your body keeps the score" by Bessel Van der Kolk and through my studies on trauma, I immersed myself in "The Wisdom of Trauma" by Thomas Hübl and "The Myth of Normal" by Gabor Mate.

In this article, I will explore the ways in which trauma can show up in the body, leading to a range of physical illnesses and conditions. Gabor Mate defines trauma as an "emotional response to a terrible event." He notes that trauma is not just the event itself but also the impact it has on a person's psyche and emotional well-being. Mate emphasizes that trauma can take many forms, from physical abuse to emotional neglect, and that it can occur at any age. He also notes that trauma can have long-lasting effects, leading to a range of physical and mental health problems, from addiction to autoimmune diseases.

According to Bessel Van der Kolk, "studies have shown that traumatized people are at increased risk for developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer." This may be because trauma can lead to chronic stress, which can weaken the immune system and make it more difficult for the body to fight off illness. Additionally, chronic stress can cause inflammation, which has been linked to a range of health problems, from depression to autoimmune diseases.

In his book, "The Myth of Normal," Gabor Mate explains that trauma can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. He also notes that "studies have shown that people who experienced childhood trauma are more likely to develop depression and anxiety, which can manifest as physical symptoms such as chronic fatigue, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal problems." Similarly, Thomas Hübl writes that trauma can lead to chronic stress, which can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of developing illnesses such as infections and cardiovascular disease.

Trauma can also cause physical symptoms such as chronic pain, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and fatigue, as noted by Van der Kolk. For example, a person who has experienced childhood trauma may develop fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that is thought to be related to changes in the way the brain processes pain signals.

In April of 2021, I was going through a particularly stressful period at work. I was feeling overwhelmed and I was struggling to prove my worth in my role every day. I was in constant performance anxiety and I was moving so fast that something big had to stop me in my tracks. My body interfered because I wasn't listening. I landed in the ER one night with severe pain caused by gallstones I didn't even know were there. A simple keyhole surgery that people recover from in a couple of days took me 2 whole weeks because my body was so run down and weak. I remember looking up the emotional causes of gallstones at the time and I found out that they can be caused by longstanding feelings of repressed anger, such as resentment, frustration, and irritability as well as bitterness, hard thoughts and pride. I knew, while lying down in bed one day that the only way to heal is to leave my job. Of course, the gallstones had probably been forming for years, but I needed to act. It wasn't an easy decision but to "let come" the new, the growth and the new horizons, I had to "let go" of the old that was weighing me down and not allowing me to soar higher.

I believe that my purpose is to contribute to the healing of the world one person at a time, but to heal the world I need to start with myself. So I found my way to Mobius and to Thomas Hübl's teachings and started my 2-year trauma healing journey through the Timeless Wisdom Training. I found a functional medicine doctor who diagnosed that I have an autoimmune disease of the thyroid, another stress-related disease which probably contributed to my weight gain over the last few stressful years of my life. I also did a lot of work on myself over the past two years beyond my journey with the TWT with energy healers, psychotherapists, bodyworkers and coaches to get to where I am today. I changed my lifestyle, my eating habits, I meditate every day and I exercise. The trauma literally started to melt away and I am now healthier, stronger and 15 kilos lighter but the road ahead is still long because healing trauma is a lifelong journey of transformation.

Through my own experience and my learning, I know that healing from trauma is possible. With the right support, people can learn to process their trauma and develop healthy coping mechanisms that can help them manage stress and reduce the risk of developing physical health problems. According to Hübl, "by learning to recognize and work with our trauma, we can begin to heal the wounds that have been holding us back and move towards greater health and wholeness." This might involve working with a therapist who specializes in trauma, joining a support group, or engaging in self-care activities such as meditation or exercise.

If you wonder whether you are suffering from the effects of trauma, it is worth taking the time to look into it and get the support of a professional if you feel you have started to uncover something that has been deeply hidden for many years. Trauma is not selective, it can affect people of all background and ages, and it is not just an individual problem, according to Thomas Hübl, but a societal one, as trauma can be passed down through generations and affect entire communities. He believes that by recognizing and addressing trauma, we can create a more compassionate and connected world. Gabor Mate also confirms that by addressing the root causes of Trauma, such as poverty, inequality, and social isolation, we can create a more just and equitable society, one that can heal over time.

For now I will leave you with this question: How can you contribute to a more equitable society and create a more compassionate and connected world?