I am currently reading The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté, a Canadian doctor who works with trauma and addictions.
In it he talks about the impact of trauma on physical health as well as mental health and addictions.
He is not the only person to write about the connection between physical illness and trauma.
Social Readjustment Scale
Back in 1967 two psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe developed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale. This measured the impact of life events (some positive and others negative) and their impact on physical health. The higher the stress score the greater the chance of developing a physical illness and even dying of that illness.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale
In the mid 1990s the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale was developed. It measured the impact trauma had on physical health outcomes in adult life.
Stress and Health Impacts
Some time ago I read about a woman who at the age of 19 found herself losing stamina and strength. She went to her doctor who told her she was anxious. She had encountered the habit doctors have of discounting those who identify as women.
All efforts to treat this anxiety failed and the woman’s condition further deteriorated. Eventually she found a doctor who paid attention to her symptoms and she was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease.
Doctors instructed her to avoid physically and emotionally becoming stressed. The irony of this was that it was emotional stress that had led to this disease.
Stress and the Immune System
Research has shown that stress provokes the immune system more than most things we encounter in life. It has also shown that stress does not affect everyone the same. Some members in the community are more heavily impacted by stress than others. Stress that occurs over a long period of time has a greater impact on the common diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
The Impact of Stress on Marginalised Communities
Communities where stress is chronic, such as LGBTQ+ communities, indigenous communities and migrant communities, are examples of communities that experience chronic stress.
One feature of these communities that is protective is their community connections. These allow members of the community who are dysregulated by trauma to re-regulate. It is when individuals lack the support of community that chronic stress has a more dramatic impact
Healing Through the 7 Dimensions of Integrative Health
Healing from stress related illnesses requires a multi-faceted approach as does reducing the impact of stress in your life.
Physical Wellness
First there is physical wellness:
• Getting enough sleep
• Eating a well balanced diet with adequate sources of omega fats
• Exercising regularly
• Caring for injuries and illnesses
• Reducing unhealthy behaviours such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and recreational drug use.
Environmental Wellness
Then environmental wellness which involves:
• being aware of the challenges and opportunities available
• Getting out into nature
Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual Wellness:
• Knowing your values and morals and upholding them
• Finding purpose, value and meaning in life
• Being fully present and engaged with life
• Giving yourself time out to be alone with your thoughts
• Develop a relationship with nature, a supreme being and other dimensions of the human spirit.
Social Wellness
Social wellness:
• Connecting with others
• Working through conflicts appropriately
• Contributing to your community.
Financial Wellness
Financial Wellness:
• Being able to manage your resources to allow you to live within your means
• Being able to make informed financial decisions
• Being able to set realistic goals.
Work Related Wellness
Vocational Wellness:
• Allow personal satisfaction and life enrichment consistent with your values, goals and lifestyle. This can involve paid or volunteer work.
• Being able to use your unique abilities in work that is personally meaningful and rewarding.
Mental Health
Mental Wellness:
• Practice thinking positively
• Using Gratitude
• Manage stress
• Develop social connections
• Using practices such as meditation and mindfulness to reduce stress and improve awareness.
All Dimensions Interrelate
It is important to remember that all aspects of our lives have an impact on health and that difficulties in one area of life can impact other areas.
Can I Help?
If you would like to talk to me about how I can help you with your trauma and balancing the areas of your life to promote optimal health, please contact me on 0409396608 or nan@plentifullifecounselling.com.au
If you would like to learn more, I write a regular newsletter with helpful information, tips, information on courses, and the occasional freebie. At the moment I have a free mindfulness meditation for anyone who signs up to my newsletter. This meditation offers a way to safely explore your feelings and learn to be okay with them. If you would like to subscribe please click on the link here: http://eepurl.com/g8Jpiz