Understanding How Trauma Works in Our Body and Mind

You may have experienced an event in your life that left a lasting impact on you. While everyone responds differently, when these are negative experiences, they can become deeply embedded in our minds and bodies, sometimes affecting our daily lives in subtle ways.

But what is trauma? How does it work? And what path should we take to treat it? Keep reading this article to find answers to these questions.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is a response to a highly stressful event that can have psychological, emotional, and even physical repercussions. Often overlooked is the fact that trauma is not just about the event itself, but also about how a person perceives and processes it. In other words, trauma is the body and mind’s response to experiences that feel threatening, violent, and harmful, impacting a person’s physical and mental resilience.

Additionally, it’s important to understand that trauma is more than just a memory or a thought. It can create a biological and psychological response that may even remain "stored" within our bodies.

This concept is often referred to as "cellular memory." This means that traumatic experiences can become "imprinted" in the body at a physical level, as if our cells, tissues, and organs “remember” the event. In certain body-based therapies, such as somatic psychology, it’s believed that trauma can manifest through muscle tension, chronic pain, or even posture patterns. Thus, trauma doesn’t just linger as a memory, it also shows up in our physical state and in our reactions to certain current situations.

How Does Trauma Affect Our Body and Mind?

When facing trauma, the brain initiates a survival response by releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This not only triggers physical reactions like fight, flight, or freeze but also impacts the way the brain processes information and responds to stimuli.

The amygdala, responsible for detecting threats, becomes more active, while the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and logical thinking, reduces its activity. This can make it harder to regulate emotions and think rationally in stressful situations. At the same time, the hippocampus, which is involved in forming new memories, may struggle to process and store memories of the event.

These effects mean that trauma leaves not only a mark on the mind but also manifests in the body, showing up as tension, chronic pain, and intense sensations that may resurface unexpectedly.

How Can We Treat Trauma?

When managing trauma, various approaches are possible, and the key is to find the one that resonates best with you:

One effective way to address trauma is through movement and expression. Physical signals can interrupt overthinking, which is often the trauma response of a hyper-vigilant brain. Releasing sensations generated by trauma relates to the idea that emotions are “energy in motion,” meaning that if they aren’t expressed or released, they can get trapped in our bodies, creating blockages that affect us both physically and emotionally.

For example, therapies that involve dance, expressive arts, rhythm, and theater can be highly beneficial.

On the other hand, ancient practices such as breathing techniques or yoga can also help release trauma. These methods activate the parasympathetic nervous system (a part of our nervous system that helps the body relax and recover after stress or intense activity), which slows down the heart rate and reduces alertness.

While movement and expression-based methods can be very effective and appealing, traditional methods are also valuable. A good example is therapy with a psychologist. This approach can be carried out in various ways, depending on the focus the professional chooses for your issue. Examples include cognitive-behavioral therapy (focused on changing thought patterns), exposure therapy (gradual exposure to elements or situations related to the trauma), narrative therapy (promoting a shift in personal narratives around the experience), and compassion-based therapy (focused on acceptance and emotional healing).

As you can see, there are many possibilities for treating trauma. It’s important to remember that finding the right approach may require some trial and error, and it’s completely valid to try combining them. But all methods share the same goal: promoting trauma healing.

Remember that healing is a journey, and being patient with yourself is also part of this process. We hope this brief guide on trauma is helpful and inspires you to take the first steps toward your well-being.