How complex trauma affects the body.
When people think about trauma, they often think about emotional pain, distressing memories, or psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. However, trauma does not only affect the mind — it can also have a profound impact on the body and nervous system.
Complex trauma usually develops through repeated or long-term exposure to distressing experiences, particularly during childhood or within close relationships. This may include emotional abuse, neglect, domestic abuse, instability, or prolonged fear and stress.
For many people, trauma responses continue long after the traumatic experiences have ended. The body can remain in a constant state of alertness, as though danger is always nearby. This is because trauma can disrupt the nervous system and the body’s natural stress responses.
Individuals living with complex trauma may experience:
- Chronic anxiety or panic
- Sleep difficulties
- Muscle tension and physical pain
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Digestive problems
- Emotional numbness or dissociation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling constantly “on edge”
- Heightened sensitivity to stress
These responses are not signs of weakness or personal failure. They are often survival responses developed over time.
As explored in the book The Body Keeps the Score by psychiatrist and trauma researcher Bessel van der Kolk, trauma can become deeply embedded within both the mind and body. The nervous system learns to stay prepared for danger, even when a person is no longer in an unsafe environment.
This is one of the reasons many people struggling with complex trauma feel frustrated or confused by their reactions. They may logically know they are safe, but their body still responds as though they are under threat.
At Helia, we take a trauma-informed approach to therapy that recognises the connection between emotional wellbeing and the nervous system. Therapy can help individuals better understand their trauma responses, develop emotional regulation skills, and begin rebuilding a sense of safety within themselves.
Healing from complex trauma takes time, compassion, and support. Recovery is not about “getting over” what happened — it is about learning to feel safe, connected, and regulated again.
No matter how long you have been struggling, support is available, and healing is possible.
