Emotional experiences, especially trauma, can deeply affect physical health. Emotions directly modulate the immune system. When emotions such as anger, fear, or sadness are suppressed or unprocessed, they don't simply disappear; they manifest in the body. In his classic book "When the Body says No", Dr. Gabor Mate mentions in most of breast cancer, the stresses are hidden and chronic. They stem from childhood experiences, early emotional programming and unconscious psychological coping styles. They accumulate over a lifetime to make someone susceptible to disease.

Chronic stress and emotional pain can trigger a cascade of physical issues, often making you more susceptible to illness. Stress hormones like cortisol, when consistently elevated, suppress the immune system and contribute to inflammation and disease. 

For example:​

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• Anger: Suppressed anger can contribute to digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or stomach ulcers. Research has suggested for decades that women are more prone to develop breast cancer if their childhoods were characterized by emotional disconnection from their parents or other disturbances in their upbringing; if they tend to repress emotions, particularly anger; if they lack nurturing social relationships in adulthood; and if they are the altruistic, compulsively caregiving types.

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• Fear: Constant fear or anxiety can manifest as chronic headaches, muscle tension, or even migraines.
   

• Grief or Sadness: Grief itself is not wrong; it’s a natural process. However, unprocessed grief can have negative impacts. The antidote to trauma is effective grieving. By allowing ourselves to fully feel and express our grief, we can integrate our experiences, find meaning, and ultimately move forward, fostering growth and resilience. Unprocessed grief can lead to cardiovascular problems, including heart disease, as stress impacts the body’s ability to regulate heart health.

• Shame or Guilt: These emotions, when bottled up, can manifest as skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or chronic rashes.
   

• Stress or Overwhelm: Chronic stress can trigger autoimmune disorders, where the body begins to attack itself, leading to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk discusses in his seminal work, "The Body Keeps the Score," trauma is stored not only in the mind but also in the body. This unresolved trauma can lead to a range of physical health issues that traditional medical treatments may fail to address because they don’t address the root emotional cause.

Through trauma-informed therapy, I provide a compassionate and safe space for you to explore and release these stored emotions. By understanding how your physical symptoms are linked to past emotional experiences, we can begin the process of holistic healing.
If you are experiencing physical health issues that seem unexplainable or persistent, it's time to explore how unresolved emotional trauma might be playing a role. Join me on a journey of healing that can restore both your emotional and physical well-being.

Book your first session today and take the step toward a healthier, integrated life.

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