Energy Loss After Chronic Trauma

What you can do about energy loss after chronic trauma?

Childhood trauma encompasses a wide range of adverse experiences that occur during the formative years. The formative years are the time period between 0 to 8 years when the brain and neurobiological development are the fastest after birth. The formative years are a very influential and potent time; it is the time when a child defines who they are and who they will become in the future.

The adverse experiences can range from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and neglect, attachment issues, observing household dysfunction (such as domestic violence and narcissistic behaviours), or exposure to violence.

Trauma in childhood is not merely the nature of the event but the profound and lasting impact it has on a child's developing brain, emotions, and sense of self.

At the core, childhood trauma disrupts the fundamental sense of safety and security, which are required for healthy development. But the effects are far-reaching, impacting families, communities, and generations, perpetuating cycles of dysfunction, hardship, misery, and misfortune.

What's not talked about, is that childhood and long-term trauma can severely impact energy levels especially as we get older.

So what happens when one experiences chronic toxic stress?

Repeated and high doses of stress, such as abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence, maintains the stress response. The stress response is referred to as the "fight and flight" or "fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response." The fight or flight stress response is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. It was first described by Walter Cannon in 1915. His theory stated that animals react to threats with a discharge of the sympathetic nervous system, preparing the animal to fight or flee or play dead. When this happens the adrenal medulla produces a cascade of hormones. Stress hormones (such as adrenaline and cortisol) as well as estrogen and testosterone and neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, are secreted into the bloodstream.

With the sympathetic nervous system discharged, our heart races, pupils dilate, airways open, and the animal (or human) is ready to fight, flee, or freeze. The stress response system is a process that evolved to keep us safe. It makes sense if you see a wild animal that starts chasing you or you see a car speeding as you cross the street.

However, with chronic toxic stress or adversity, the stress response system gets activated too often, and the hormones, which are released in a predictable pattern in a healthy environment, becomes disrupted. As a result, the stress response can't shut down; it then becomes dysregulated. It's like a runaway train with boxcars that eventually disengage, creating chaos within its immediate environment. This dysregulation of the nervous system then causes a ripple effect, affecting brain development, the endocrine and immune systems, and even how genes are expressed.

[Excerpted from "Healing Worthlessness: Coming into Self-Love as a Trauma Survivor"] which can also be found on Amazon.com and FriesenPress.ca 

As can be seen, as the stress response system become dysregulated (remaining "on" because it, basically, got "used to" staying in the on position when it should have been off) due to long-lasting trauma, it can significantly impact energy levels (as well as many other mental and physical health problems), making individuals feel more tired and fatigued, even as they age. I'm in my midlife and I can sometimes feel it exacerbate me.

Just to mention, the endocrine system produces and releases hormones, which act as chemical messengers to regulate various bodily functions. These functions include growth and development, metabolism, mood, and how the body responds to stress (besides other things). As is evident, our hormones and neurotransmitters get significantly disrupted.

Here is a list of how trauma impacts energy:

• Prolonged stress response (as I've discussed).
• PTSD, C-PTSD, and Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Metabolic changes (increased glucose production, which taxes the body contributing to fatigue and other health problems)
• Muscle mass loss (chronic trauma/stress can exacerbate muscle loss as we age)
• Cognitive fatigue (toxic trauma impacts cognitive function, leading to difficulties with concentration, memory, and decision-making, which can feel mentally exhausting)
• Emotional fatigue (chronic stress can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and irritability, all contributing to fatigue)

When you understand how the stress response works, you can see how the sympathetic nervous system is continuously "on" and getting completely taxed; thus causing our heart-rate to be impacted because it is beating at a faster rate. 

Metaphorically, I see the heart in our body similar to that of the engine in a car. The faster the heart beats (under toxic stress on a daily basis), the shorter our life span. This is not something to get stressed about, though. 

What's important now, is to recognize your state and understand what to do moving forward. Even if you didn't experience childhood developmental trauma, living in our world today, many people are experiencing chronic toxic stress, such as constant overwhelm, chronic worrying, work pressures, marital discord, financial strain, caregiver responsibilities, unresolved grief, emotional conflicts, health issues . . .. With that, symptoms such as persistent headaches and chronic pain, exhaustion and fatigue, loss of motivation and interest, digestive issues, and skin outbreaks, for example, can occur.

So, what are some of the protective factors, or what can you do about it?

Effectively treating and relieving toxic stress involves activating the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system, or "rest and digest", promotes relaxation and energy conservation. It slows down the heart rate, decreases blood pressure, and increases gastric emptying (food and digestive contents move to the small intestines faster).

The sympathetic nervous system leads to an overactive nervous system and potentially negative health consequences. While the activated parasympathetic nervous system can restore balance and promote relaxation.

How do we activate the parasympathetic nervous system?

Techniques such as a long stroll in the forest; sitting at the waters edge, gazing; all grounding techniques; deep breathing; meditation; laughing; and creative expression (e.g., coloring, painting, journaling, dance, music) a form of therapeutic self-expression. As well, learning good coping skills such as fostering emotional regulation, practicing mindfulness, developing greater self-awareness, joining supportive communities, connecting with positive peers, extracurricular activities, and fostering self-care. All of these techniques can promote overall well-being and build resilience. All of these techniques can support the loss of energy experienced with long-lasting trauma and toxic chronic modern day stress.

That's why I will be releasing my collection of books about Fostering Self-Care, Fostering Self-Love and Fostering Self-Acceptance soon. As a chronic trauma survivor, I get it - needing some understanding about what trauma is and how it works and needing that constant reminder to really care for, love and accept your self. Something that could be difficult no matter how old we get.  

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As well, all NEW FREE 33 page eBook called The Power to Heal with 7 Life Changing Steps will be coming out soon!

Until we meet again,

Desiree