The experiences of unresolved childhood trauma can trigger anxiety and depression. Everyone responds to trauma differently, and anxiety is likely to develop from a complex set of risk factors including personality, brain chemistry, and life events, especially trauma.
The neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) are believed to be connected to anxiety disorders and mood. These neurotransmitters regulate various body functions and emotions, and are highly impacted by cortisol, which is the stress hormone produced in reaction to childhood trauma in adults.
Physical, emotional, or psychological trauma can be sorted into Little t and Big T trauma, depending on the severity and length of time of trauma. A one time event like an accident, natural disaster, mugging, being chewed out by a boss or influential person, or a significant one time health problem can be classified as Little t trauma.
Repetitive traumatic events like childhood sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, or ongoing trauma experienced by first responders or ER personnel, can be classified as Big T trauma and can lead to actual changes in the structure of the brain and in neurotransmitter communication and also lead to trauma and anxiety in the future.
Why Does Trauma Cause Anxiety?
Trauma can lead to anxiety because it disrupts a person’s sense of safety and predictability in the world. When someone experiences a traumatic event, their brain often remains on high alert, continuously scanning for potential threats. This hyper-vigilance is a feature of the brain’s fight-or-flight response, which is intended to protect us from danger but can become overactive or misdirected. Trauma can also alter the way the brain processes emotions and responds to stress, making it more difficult for those affected to manage anxiety and fear. Additionally, traumatic memories might be re-experienced as flashbacks or nightmares, further contributing to ongoing anxiety.
Physical or psychological trauma and anxiety can lead to symptoms like:
- Persistent anxiety or worrying that is out of proportion to the events
- Perceiving events and situations as threatening, even when they aren’t
- Inability to relax, feeling keyed up or on edge, or feeling restless
- Feeling constantly on guard
- Repetitive dreams or memories of traumatic events, leading to distress
- Increased use of drugs or alcohol to try to manage negative emotions
- Difficulty concentrating or feeling like your mind goes blank, numbness
- Overthinking solutions and plans for all possible worst-case outcomes
- Difficulty managing uncertainty, or fear of making the wrong decision
- Extreme sadness and crying, negativity, disinterest, or irritability
- Inability to let go or set aside a worry
Physical symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Muscle tension leading to muscle aches
- Feeling shaky or twitchy
- Being easily startled or nervous
- Nausea, diarrhea or ongoing irritable bowel syndrome
Even when your worries don’t completely consume you, you may still feel anxious even when there’s no obvious reason. For example, you may have a general sense that something bad is about to happen, or you may feel intense worry about your safety or that of your loved ones. Your worry, anxiety, or physical symptoms can cause you significant distress in areas of your life like work, family, and social interactions. Worries can move from one concern to another, and time and age can lead to changes.
The neurobiological reactions to ongoing trauma, based on MRI exams in a study done by Liao, et. al., revealed an increased gray matter of a pathological nature. The study indicated that abnormalities in cortical/subcortical interactions can lead to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This pathological involvement and increase of gray matter in the brain are thought to be directly connected to GAD. The amygdala and thalamus play an important role in the transmitting, interpretation and coding of fear, emotions, and filtering of emotional regulation.
Healing from childhood trauma and anxiety is possible, and the symptoms of GAD can be reduced by effective intervention. “The amygdala can learn to relax; the hippocampus can resume proper memory consolidation; the nervous system can recommence its easy flow between reactive and restorative modes. The key to achieving a state of neutrality and then healing lies in helping to reprogram the body and mind” (Rosenthal, 2019).
Effective intervention can be accomplished in the intensive, impactful treatment settings found in licensed, innovative, and qualified Residential Treatment Centers. Highly trained and experienced staff who are empathetic and respectful can use many different modalities to decrease physiological and psychological reactions to trauma and help heal the brain and reduce trauma and anxiety.
How Do You Overcome Anxiety And Trauma? Modalities To Reduce Anxiety And Trauma Reactions
- EMDR and Brainspotting
- Group, family, and individual therapy
- Experiential therapies like art, music, equine, psychodrama, and meditation
- SGB shots can create a rapid reduction in trauma symptoms, leading to more effective response to other treatments provided, in addition to helping the clients feel better quickly.
- Brain Technology has advanced significantly and can aid with healing
- Supportive and structured emotional and physical environment to help clients feel safe while doing difficult, intensive work
- Gut-Brain diet to increase serotonin and dopamine levels.
Healing the brain from trauma and anxiety is more possible now than ever before due to rapidly advancing technology and clinical expertise. Relieve your childhood trauma symptoms quickly and effectively by seeking treatment at a facility that can help you with this process.
Corner Canyon Health Centers specializes in scientific-based methods to help you overcome past traumatic experiences and help you deal with anxiety. Talk to one of our specialists for help and information on admission into our treatment center!
If you have any questions about the symptoms and challenges of trauma and anxiety or any of the other treatments we provide, contact us today.