How Trauma Impacts Your Physical Health: What Tampa Residents Need to Know
A free resource provided by: Psychology House - Tampa, FL
Quick Answers:
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Yes, trauma can lead to chronic issues like fatigue, pain, and digestive problems. The prolonged activation of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline can also increase the risk of serious conditions like heart disease, respiratory issues (like asthma), and certain cancers.
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Trauma can trigger the stress response system repeatedly, leading to hormonal and immune system imbalances. Over time, this can contribute to chronic health problems and increased susceptibility to more serious illnesses.
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Therapy is a powerful treatment, especially trauma-informed approaches. Complementary strategies like breath-work, mindfulness, movement, and journaling can also support nervous system regulation and help alleviate physical symptoms.
Trauma doesn't just affect your emotions—it can also show up in your body. This blog explores how trauma impacts physical health, what symptoms to look for, and how therapy can help you heal from the inside out. If you’re in Tampa and wondering if trauma could be affecting your well-being, this article was written for you.
Understanding Trauma: It’s More Than Just a Mental Struggle
When people think about trauma, they often picture emotional wounds or distressing memories. But trauma isn't just a mental health issue—it can have a profound impact on your body too.
Trauma can stem from a wide range of experiences: childhood neglect, car accidents, natural disasters, abuse, or the sudden loss of a loved one. Whether the trauma is acute (a single event), chronic (repeated exposure), or complex (multiple traumatic experiences over time), it can leave a lasting imprint on both your mind and body.
So, can trauma impact your health? Absolutely.
How Trauma Affects Physical Health
You may not realize it, but your body could be carrying the weight of past trauma. Here are some common physical symptoms and health issues linked to unresolved trauma:
Elevated risk of heart disease and hypertension
Respiratory problems such as asthma or shortness of breath
Possible increased risk of certain cancers due to immune system suppression and chronic inflammation
Increased susceptibility to illness and autoimmune issues
Chronic pain or muscle tension
Digestive problems like IBS or stomach cramps
Frequent headaches or migraines
Fatigue and sleep disturbances
Trauma activates your body’s stress response—the fight, flight, or freeze mechanism. When this system stays stuck in "on" mode, your body becomes flooded with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, this chronic stress response can damage your physical health in serious ways. It increases your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and respiratory problems like asthma. Some research even suggests that chronic stress may play a role in the development or progression of certain cancers, due to its impact on the immune system and inflammation levels.
In fact, research into Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) shows a strong link between early trauma and later physical health problems. The higher your ACE score, the more likely you are to face chronic illness as an adult.
Why Trauma Shows Up in the Body
Your mind and body are deeply connected. When you experience trauma, your brain may not fully process what happened, and your body might store those memories physically.
Here’s a quick look at how it works:
HPA Axis Dysregulation: Trauma affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, disrupting hormone regulation and stress responses.
Nervous System Activation: Your nervous system can remain in a constant state of alert, leading to hypervigilance and physical exhaustion.
Somatic Symptoms: You might feel numb or disconnected from your body (called dissociation), or develop unexplained pain or medical conditions.
Many people in Tampa come to therapy not because they know they’ve experienced trauma, but because they’re dealing with chronic physical issues they can’t explain. Often, trauma is the missing link.
Real-Life Examples: Trauma and Physical Symptoms
Let’s say someone in Tampa was in a car accident on I-275 a few years ago. They walked away with no major injuries, but ever since, they’ve struggled with back pain, insomnia, and panic attacks in heavy traffic. That’s trauma showing up physically.
Or imagine a local resident who grew up in a stressful home with emotional neglect. As an adult, they deal with constant stomach aches, fatigue, and migraines. After starting therapy, they realize these symptoms started during childhood—and begin to improve once they address the root cause.
How Therapy Helps You Heal: Mind and Body
The good news? Healing is possible—and therapy can play a major role in helping you feel better both emotionally and physically.
At Psychology House in Tampa, we use proven trauma-focused therapies that are backed by research, including:
CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy): Helps reframe and reduce negative beliefs about the trauma.
PE (Prolonged Exposure Therapy): Guides you through safe exposure to traumatic memories so they become less distressing.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Helps you challenge unhelpful thoughts and build healthier coping strategies.
These therapies not only reduce emotional suffering but also often lead to improvements in physical symptoms. Many of our clients report sleeping better, feeling less pain, and having more energy after working through their trauma in therapy.
Reconnecting With Your Body After Trauma
While therapy is a key part of healing, there are also simple, gentle practices that can help you feel more connected to your body:
Breathwork or guided breathing exercises
Mindfulness and body scan meditations
Light movement like walking or stretching
Journaling about your physical sensations and emotions
If you live in Tampa, even spending time in nature—at places like Bayshore Boulevard or Lettuce Lake Park—can help you feel grounded and present.
When to Seek Help: It’s Never Too Late
You might wonder if your symptoms are "bad enough" to seek help. The truth is, if your physical health is suffering and doctors haven’t found a clear cause, trauma could be playing a role.
Some signs it might be time to seek trauma therapy:
You’ve experienced something distressing and haven’t felt the same since
You feel constantly anxious, exhausted, or on edge
You’re dealing with chronic pain, illness, or fatigue without a medical explanation
You deserve support—and healing is absolutely possible.
Trauma Treatment in Tampa: Start Your Healing Journey
At Psychology House, we specialize in trauma treatment in Tampa. Our compassionate, expert therapists are trained in evidence-based therapies and allow you to feel safe, seen, and supported.
Whether your trauma happened recently or decades ago, it’s not too late to start feeling better. We’re here to help you regain control over your life—and your health.
If you’re ready to start feeling better—emotionally and physically—reach out to Psychology House today. Let’s take that first step together.
About Psychology House - Tampa
We know therapy can be challenging. The most important things always are. But we also know it can be transformative. We see it in our clients, their family lives, relationships, and in their careers. Located in South Tampa, Psychology House is home to highly trained psychologists who specialize in today’s most prominent mental health issues and evidence-based treatments. Prioritizing comfort, safety, and connection, we’ve cultivated a psychology practice built on the idea of home.
Psychology House provides both in-person therapy (Tampa, FL residents) and virtual sessions (Florida Residents/PsyPact States). Our growing team of psychologists specialize in depression, trauma/PTSD, anxiety, relationship issues, addiction, and more.
