12/10/2023
Have you ever been told by a doctor that there is nothing wrong with you?
The doctors couldn't tell me that the reason my clavicle joint separated was because I was bracing against heartache, and tension from anger, so that when I went for a run, I pulled the joint apart from opposing forces.
The doctors couldn't tell me that my nervous system shutdown caused my cortisol levels to drop, allowing for an over-active immune system. Which then attacked my joints and my organs, causing severe amounts of pain and swelling, even disruptions to my cycle and hives all over my body.
The optometrist nor the neurologist could explain the migraines and flashing lights. The doctors couldn't tell me that my nervous system was stuck in fight/flight energy causing me to have migraines, racing thoughts, panic attacks, repeated UTI's, fast heartbeat, and high blood pressure.
The doctors couldn't tell me that my poor interception and unconscious blocking of pain in my abdomen caused the muscles in my arms and legs to lock and brace against the pain and no amount of stretching could help.
The neurologist could not explain why I had difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. This was from a fear of immobility, anxiety, and high cortisol levels.
The doctors did not tell me that pain in my back and along my spine was referred pain from the heart, literal stored heartache. The doctors could not explain that the pain in my arm was due to a blocked expression of anger. The doctors could not explain that pain in my shoulder was a blocked expression of pushing something away.
The doctors could not explain my cold, numb hands and feet were due to a freeze response, pulling life energy into the center of my body as a protective mechanism.
The doctors told me nothing was wrong with me, despite clearly witnessing the symptoms, even on an MRI. The psychologist didn't understand and offered nothing to help me.
All these symptoms were due to triggers that activated the trauma held in my body. It didn't matter that life was actually safe, I was reacting as if I were in the past.
I had trauma, stored emotions, and incomplete stress responses held in my body. I needed to learn how connect to and feel safe in my own body. I needed to learn how to recognize and metabolize feelings. I needed bottom-up processing, attending to my body which sends signals of safety to the brain. I needed to learn how to recognize my nervous system states. I needed to learn how to increase my resiliency.
Traditional psychology does not yet incorporate bottom-up processing into therapy, despite having decades of research of its importance. Instead, they heavily rely on cognitive behavioral therapy and similar methods. Tell me, when was the last time you could think yourself out of anxiety or a panic attack?
Traditional medicine is fully aware of trauma, stress reactions, and the effects on physical health, yet they do not have the resources, understanding, or support to help. Another important issue is the general inability for people to accept that their physical illnesses and symptoms could be psychosomatic in origin. That both the mind and the body need treatment.
I hope that one day, with the wealth of information being discovered, education, and conversations that a bridge will form between these two fields to bring wellness and wellbeing to the world.
Does my story resonate with you? Do you have any questions? Please drop comments and questions below and I will do my best to answer them.
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