You might feel like your emotions don’t quite match your circumstances. 

For many, this question can be a reflection of something much deeper than the surface-level stress or everyday challenges. 

Often, the roots of these feelings trace back to trauma—particularly childhood trauma—and chronic stress that has been carried into adulthood (our nervous system is stuck in a trauma cycle) affecting both mental and physical health in profound ways.

The Hidden Burden of Trauma and Stress

Psychologically speaking, trauma is not just about the events themselves, but about how our nervous system and mind process those events. It is also important to remember that trauma is subjective (meaning two people could go through same event, one person may experience a trauma wound from it and the other may not = remember this doesn’t define a person). 

Childhood trauma—such as emotional neglect, abuse, or growing up in an unstable environment—leaves an imprint on the brain. It shapes the way we experience the world and regulate emotions as adults. Even long after the trauma has ended, its effects can linger, manifesting as persistent negative emotions, difficulty trusting others, and an overactive stress response.

When trauma is unhealed, our bodies are left in a chronic state of “fight, flight, or freeze.” This constant state of hypervigilance exhausts our nervous system and contributes to a range of psychological and physiological symptoms. Stress hormones like cortisol are overproduced, leading to a cascade of health issues, both mental and physical.

Psychosomatic Symptoms of Unhealed Trauma

It is not uncommon for people with unresolved trauma to experience what are known as psychosomatic symptoms. These are physical symptoms that arise due to psychological distress rather than a medical condition. Some common psychosomatic symptoms include:

• Chronic pain (back, neck, headaches)
• Digestive and gut health issues (IBS, nausea, stomach aches, heartburn)
• Fatigue and insomnia (wired but tired)
• Heart palpitations, racing heart, skipped beats
• Muscle tension, joint paint (particularly back, shoulders, neck, knees)
• Skin issues (rashes, acne, eczema)
• Weakened immune response (frequent illness) & autoimmune conditions (eg. hashimoto’s)

These symptoms can leave individuals feeling confused, believing that something is wrong with their bodies. However, the body is often reflecting the burden of trauma and chronic stress that has yet to be addressed.

The Link Between Mental Health and the Body

The mind and body are inextricably linked. What affects one inevitably affects the other. Childhood trauma, in particular, disrupts normal brain development in key areas like the amygdala (responsible for processing fear and emotions), the hippocampus (involved in memory), and the prefrontal cortex (responsible for regulating behaviour and decision-making). This can lead to heightened emotional reactivity, difficulty processing emotions, and an inability to soothe oneself in times of distress.

The body is constantly sending signals that something is wrong, but if we don’t address the root cause—unresolved trauma—these signals can become louder and more disruptive.

Healing Through Somatic Therapy, EMDR, and IFS

The good news is that healing is possible. Therapies that focus on addressing trauma at its root can lead to profound and lasting relief.

Somatic Therapy focuses on how trauma is stored in the body. It helps individuals release stored tension and reset the nervous system, promoting a sense of safety and calm. By addressing the body’s physiological responses to trauma, somatic therapy allows for a bottom-up approach to healing that directly tackles the stress response and brings the nervous system back into balance.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful technique that helps rewire the brain’s response to traumatic memories. By using bilateral stimulation (often through guided eye movements), EMDR helps desensitize the emotional charge of traumatic memories and allows the brain to process these experiences in a healthier way.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy focuses on integrating different “parts” of ourselves that may have been fragmented due to trauma. In IFS, trauma is seen as creating internal conflicts, where certain parts of ourselves are burdened with protecting us from pain or re-experiencing trauma. By working with these parts compassionately, IFS helps to heal the underlying wounds and restore harmony within.

The Path Forward

If you find yourself frequently asking, “Why do I feel so bad?” it may be worth considering how past trauma or chronic stress could be contributing to your current mental and physical state. The mind and body are deeply interconnected, and healing must address both in order to create lasting change.

Somatic therapy, EMDR, and IFS offer hope for those who feel trapped by the effects of trauma. By getting to the root of the issue and working with both the body and the mind, these therapies provide a pathway to feeling not just “better,” but truly healed.

I’d love to discuss how these insights apply to the work I do with my clients and how I can help you. Reach out or book in for a connection call (link below = use code: FREECONNECT to make it complimentary – the code does change over time so DM me on insta @krissykareshealth if it doesnt work and ill send you the new one) x