Mental Health Isn’t Just in Your Head: The Body Remembers Trauma

Have you ever wondered why you tense up when someone raises their voice? Or why certain smells or places give you a sense of dread—without knowing why? Maybe you struggle with sleep, chronic pain, or fatigue that no doctor has been able to explain.

These aren’t just “in your head.”

In fact, science now confirms what trauma survivors have known all along: the body remembers.

Understanding Trauma Beyond the Mind

When we talk about trauma, many people think of big events—combat, car accidents, abuse. But trauma can also stem from chronic stress, neglect, emotional invalidation, or growing up in an unpredictable environment. Trauma isn’t about what happened—it’s about how your nervous system adapted.

When your brain perceives a threat, your body goes into fight, flight, or freeze. Heart rate increases. Muscles tense. Stress hormones flood your system. And if this happens over and over again—or if you don’t get the chance to “come down” from that state—your body may begin to operate as if danger is always present.

This leads to what many researchers call “somatic memory”—the body holds the imprint of traumatic experiences, even when your conscious mind does not.

Common Signs the Body is Holding Trauma

People whose bodies are still “on alert” from past trauma often experience:

• Chronic anxiety or panic attacks

• Digestive issues or IBS

• Tension headaches or migraines

• Chronic pain or fibromyalgia

• Exaggerated startle response

• Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep

• Fatigue or burnout that doesn’t go away with rest

• Emotional numbing or disconnection from the body

• Difficulty concentrating or staying present

If you’ve been told “your labs are normal,” but something still feels off—there’s a chance your body is remembering something your brain hasn’t processed yet.

The Science Behind It

Neuroscientific research supports the connection between trauma and the body. Studies show trauma can change the function of key brain regions like the:

• Amygdala – becomes hyper-alert and reactive

• Hippocampus – struggles to file away memories properly

• Prefrontal Cortex – less able to regulate emotions and fear

At the same time, the autonomic nervous system (which regulates your heart rate, digestion, and respiration) becomes dysregulated, making it harder to feel calm, safe, or connected.

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s book The Body Keeps the Score helped bring these insights into the mainstream. But many people still don’t realize that mental health care should address both mind and body.

What Does Trauma-Informed Psychiatry Look Like?

At Ascend Psychiatry, we understand that past trauma can show up as present-day symptoms. Our trauma-informed approach doesn’t just focus on diagnoses—it also considers:

• How your body responds to stress

• Whether certain medications or supplements might help calm your nervous system

• How sleep, nutrition, and past injuries play a role

• Whether therapy, EMDR, or somatic work could be helpful partners in healing

In some cases, medications can be useful to reduce hyperarousal or help with dissociation. But the most effective healing often comes when we treat the whole person, not just the brain.

You Are Not Broken—Your Body Is Protecting You

It’s important to know: trauma responses are adaptive, not pathological. Your body learned to survive difficult moments. That vigilance helped you cope—but it may now be keeping you stuck.

The good news is: with the right support, your nervous system can learn safety again.

Healing is possible. And it starts with understanding.

Ready to Learn More?

At Ascend Psychiatry, we provide trauma-informed psychiatric care that looks at the full picture—body, brain, and beyond. If you’re experiencing symptoms that don’t seem to make sense, we’re here to help you find answers and relief.