Trauma and Anxiety: What is the Connection?
The ACES study conducted from 1995 to 1997 is the largest study conducted that has brought a lot of insight into the impact that adverse childhood experiences (ACES) have on us into adulthood. An adverse childhood experience entails experiencing something potentially traumatic. Children who have experienced an adverse experience are at higher risk for mental health issues and physical health issues.
What is Considered an Adverse Childhood Experience?
- Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect
- Witnessing domestic violence or violence outside the home
- Experiencing suicide from a closed loved one or suicide attempt
- Growing up in a household where there are:
- Substance abuse problems
- Mental health problems
- Unstable caregivers or caregivers who have been in jail/prison
The list above highlights some of the top risk factors. However, there are also protective factors that can help decrease the possibility of experiencing adverse childhood experiences.
Trauma and Anxiety
The more potentially traumatic experiences you have been exposed to the more likely that you are at risk for mental health issues. Children are resilient but not immune to emotional hurt. While children might be able to bounce back from a tough childhood, sometimes those experiences come back up to haunt us in adulthood.
Those ghosts might take different forms like not feeling safe or constantly worrying about things. You might find yourself second guessing your decisions or overthinking interactions you had with others.
How to Deal with Trauma and Anxiety
When you have experienced trauma there can be a sense of not feeling safe underlying your thoughts and feelings. This can cause anxiety or worry. Part of overcoming trauma or anxiety is finding ways to feel safe again.
For our mind and body to feel safe, there is a physiological process that has to occur. Anxiety is a very physical response, you might experience heart racing, tightness in chest, tension in your body. Tuning into your body, slowing down physical stress responses using breathwork or mindfulness can help let your body know that it is ok and safe to relax. The more you practice finding these moments of safety the easier it will be for your body to channel this new state.
How being Present can Help Heal Trauma
Trauma impacts our brain and can create changes but the good news is that we can help heal our brain and reduce the trauma that is impacting our body. How?! You might be wondering. The key is lowering inflammation. There are many ways that we can help our body decrease inflammation by changing lifestyle routines. While food is one way to create this change, practicing mindfulness or presence has shown that it can literally change our epigenetics (stable changes in cell function that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence).
Practicing mindfulness or meditation can help us not only feel more calm but also impact us down to our CELLULAR level. If mindfulness or meditation is new for you, be patient with yourself as it takes time and practice to become comfortable with the process. If you are experiencing anxiety or having trauma triggers seek professional help to provide support as you being your healing process. If you are interested in learning how to develop a mindful practice to change your life contact me by email (jrubiohobbs@gmail.com) or schedule a free consultation.
