How Is Childhood Trauma Connected To Chronic Pain?

You haven’t felt like yourself in months.

Your body aches. You’re in severe pain. You’ve never experienced this type of soreness before even after your most intense workouts. And it feels like your head has hurt every single day with no signs of relief.

Your friends, family, and coworkers don’t understand. They see you as your bright, smiling self every single day. You’re still showing up. You’re getting your work done each and every day, but you’re either hiding your pain really well or no one can see any signs of it besides yourself.

You haven’t felt this terrible since your childhood. No matter what type of upbringing you had, whether it was physical, sexual, emotional abuse or divorce, or violence, here’s how childhood trauma is connected to chronic pain.

Overactive Nervous System

Trauma can cause your body to become stuck in a state of stress. With chronic pain, the same situation can occur.

Trauma and chronic pain can cause changes in our brain and nervous system which can cause them to become overly alert. Due to the sensitive state and being on high alert, your body may react to perceived threats, even if there are no real signs of a threat being present.

Sleeping Problems

Sleep is essential for rest, recovery, and having the energy to get through your days. Trauma can often lead to sleeping issues. It can be hard for people experiencing trauma to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

Lack of sleep can worsen symptoms, especially those related to chronic pain. Sleeping issues can also lead to developing more symptoms.

State of Hyperarousal

The overactive nervous system can also cause a state of hyperarousal. Individuals struggling after trauma may be easily started or on guard for potential threats. This can cause them to be in an increased state of anxiety as well as finding it even more difficult for them to calm down or relax.

The symptoms associated with the state of hyperarousal can also bring on more symptoms associated with chronic pain. Constantly being on guard and on the lookout for threats or danger means that your body is always tense, which will only increase the pain that someone is already experiencing.

Negative Perceptions of Pain

Chronic pain can cause someone to experience a negative view associated with their future. Since their loved ones and people they see on a day-to-day basis can’t see their state of pain or how they’re feeling, it can be difficult to explain why they are feeling a certain way.

Chronic pain can often be invisible to people that aren’t actually experiencing the signs and symptoms. This makes it even more difficult for someone dealing with chronic pain to express the situation they’re in.

A negative perception of pain won’t help the individual suffering find the best ways to manage or treat their pain.

Treatment Options

If you’re struggling with chronic pain, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. There are many things you can do if and when you’re ready to help yourself and how you’re feeling so you don’t have to continue feeling this way. Take your time, research your options, and find the right treatment plan for you.

Do your research and find the best treatment plan for yourself and your needs. Learning about how trauma and chronic pain are connected can get you on the right track towards a better understanding of how to manage the symptoms you may be dealing with.

If you’re interested in therapy options to help address your trauma, reach out to us today to set up a consultation for trauma therapy.