Trauma is more than just a difficult experience—it can leave lasting effects on both your mind and body. Whether caused by a particular distressing event, ongoing stress, or childhood experiences, trauma can shape the way we think, feel, and interact with the world. Understanding these effects is the first step towards healing. At My Appletree, our experienced clinical psychologists in St Leonards can help you understand how trauma affects the mind and body and how therapy can help you heal.
How Trauma Affects Your Mind
After you have experienced trauma, whether recently or in the past, your brain can be disrupted and your ability to process stress can change. This often leads to emotional and psychological symptoms such as:
Anxiety and Hypervigilance – Constantly feeling on edge, anxious or easily startled.
Depression and Emotional Numbness – This can include a loss of interest in activities, persistent sadness, or feeling disconnected to the world.
Flashbacks and Intrusive Thoughts – Reliving traumatic events through unwanted memories or nightmares can be common and difficult to deal with.
Difficulty with Relationships – You may struggle with trust, emotional intimacy, or have a fear of abandonment which can appear in relationships.
Low Self-Esteem and Guilt – This may include feeling unworthy or blaming yourself for past events.
These effects can have a strong impact on your daily life, work, and relationships. Seeking support from an experienced psychologist can help you understand your trauma and work through it, so the impact on your life is minimal and you can develop healthy coping mechanisms.
The Physical Impact of Trauma
Trauma doesn’t just affect the mind—it can have a strong impact on the body. Some common physical symptoms include:
Chronic Fatigue and Sleep Issues – Trouble falling or staying asleep, frequent nightmares, or insomnia.
Muscle Tension and Pain – This may include persistent aches, headaches, or a tightness in the body due to prolonged and consistent stress.
Digestive Issues – Stress-related gut problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or nausea can also be common.
Weakened Immune System – This could mean increased susceptibility to colds, infections, and other health concerns.
These physical symptoms are the body’s way of responding to unresolved trauma. Through therapy, you can learn strategies to regulate their nervous system and promote your own healing.
How Trauma Therapy Can Help
Working with a trauma-informed psychologist such as those available at our St Leonards practice can help you process past experiences, reduce distressing symptoms, and build resilience. At My Appletree, we offer personalised therapy approaches, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps reframe negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A powerful technique that helps the brain process traumatic memories.
Mindfulness and Somatic Therapy – Techniques to reconnect with the body and regulate emotions.
Talk Therapy and Supportive Counselling – A safe space to explore feelings and develop self-awareness.
Finding the Right Support in St Leonards To You Can Understand How Trauma Affects the Mind and Body
If you’re struggling with the effects of trauma, know that you don’t have to go through it alone. Finding the right therapist to help you navigate these struggles is a great first step, so that you can recover with compassion and expertise. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, emotional distress, or physical symptoms, trauma therapy can provide the support you need.
Ready to take the first step? Contact us today to find out if we could be the right fit for you or book in directly here.
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