Link between childhood trauma and autoimmune diseases?

I have been thinking a lot lately about the link between childhood trauma and stress related disorders (post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc) and Multiple Sclerosis.

According to numerous studies throughout the years there is significant evidence that persons who experienced childhood trauma or prolonged stress and anxiety as a child were at a remarkably higher risk for autoimmune disease. These studies are ongoing and are still working out exactly how and why this happens in the body.

Those of you who have read my story you will know that I was abused as a teen by an older man who I met through community theater. Luckily, my family fought tooth and nail for years to keep me from completely slipping away into the clutches of this monster, and eventually it paid off. I was able to make the decision to end my “relationship” with him and remove him from my life.

But those years left scars on me emotionally. I was always an anxious child and started treatment for my anxiety and depression at a young age (around 15 or 16). But after the mistreatment and trauma caused by this man my anxiety only got worse.

A few years ago I stared experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, severe levels of anxiety, panic attacks and other unpleasant symptoms. I started seeing a psychiatrist and going to regular therapy. Through this I was diagnosed with PTSD. It was only about three years later that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

It is somewhat amazing to think about what a powerful impact stress and trauma can have on the body, even years later. Not just emotionally, but manifesting itself into physical illnesses, and in some cases, autoimmune diseases.

When I first discovered this information I was MAD. I was mad at the man who abused me for all of those years. He took so many things from me. My childhood, my innocence, my trust, my confidence and independence and so much more. But now, to learn that years later my health is now leaving me too and it could be linked to the trauma he caused me…

But the longer I have sat with this information the more my anger has slowly ebbed away. By no means do I forgive what that man did to me. It is unforgivable and to quote my girl Kesha;

Some things only god can forgive.” – Praying, Kesha

However, I do not harbor as much anger and resentment towards him as I once did. The struggles and the pain that I endured because of him shaped me into the woman who I am today. I learned to be strong and to shape my own opinions, I learned to be true to myself because I am enough, I learned the importance and the constant love of my family, I learned that I will never let anyone control me or push me around ever again.

They were hard lessons and took me years to finally start addressing, but now that I have I have found a peace that can only be described as liberating.

I do not want to live with hate in my life. I do not want to live in the past. I do not want to live resenting someone for their crimes against me. I have a good life. Even with PTSD, Anxiety, and Multiple Sclerosis I would say I have it pretty damn good.

I have a husband who not only loves, cares, and understands me…he is my best friend too. I have a family that is my rock, always there to support me and to lean on. I have a wonderful dog who keeps me on my toes and makes me laugh every day. I have a beautiful home with my own little garden and plants and I get to share it with Sparrow Mom and her family too!

(Brief update on Sparrow Mom. I know ya’ll care A LOT. Since she moved out, her three babes have made the great leap of life and taken wing. I could not be more proud of them. Bravo little birds, bravo. The nest is currently unoccupied, despite my daily real-estate efforts. Not to mention the multiple phone calls and coffee dates I had with a robin that seemed very interested…ANYWAYS I have a new friend in my backyard oasis and his name is Mr. Toad. More on him later.)

So I take this newfound information regarding my past (and how it could still be affecting my body in the present) and I am choosing to look at it not as painful reminder of things that once were, but as a positive sign for the future.

This research means that we are making progress in understanding these very mysterious diseases. And understanding is the first step towards finding a cure or a way to prevent them!

It is also a reminder of how impactful stress can be. We know that stress can trigger a relapse with Multiple Sclerosis. So now, more than ever, it is so very important for me to practice mindfulness, tackle my problems one day at a time, and take time to breathe and just relax!

No matter where you are in your life I encourage you to take a moment today to think of a few things you are grateful for, take a couple of minutes to just let yourself relax and enjoy those things, and take a few calming deep breaths. It’s a good day to let go of a little stress!

-A

 

Dreams – Psychological or Physiological?

I have always had extremely vivid dreams.

I can still remember dreams that I had as a child. Especially ones that I had more than once. Recurring dreams are common. Many people experience them for short periods in their life, or throughout their entire lives!

I seem to remember that I often had a dream as a child about being stuck in a car, in a driveway, with my family with a PANTHER circling the car! Each time, we had to figure out a way to distract the panther so we could all safely exit the car  and get into the house.

Recurring dreams often mean there are some stressors in one’s life that are not being addressed. So it makes sense that my recurring dream as a child probably happened when I was dealing with some sort of stress.

When we dream our brain is actually rapidly processing and storing away the experiences and emotions of the day. So when you are worried or stressed about something during your day, sometimes those thoughts can manifest themselves into a stressful dream or a nightmare.

I think it is important to recognize that dreams are not a psychological experience, rather a physiological one. Meaning, we shouldn’t try to look too hard into the meaning or the “message” of our dreams. Rather, we should recognize that when we are having nightmares or stressful dreams there is most likely an underlying stressor in our waking lives that needs to be addressed.

It’s easy for me to get caught up in the magical world of dreams, seeing as mine are often extremely vivid and detailed. I almost always remember my dreams. I didn’t realize everyone didn’t, not until after I started telling my dreams to my husband in the morning only to be met with a face that could only be described as :

I know when in your sleep cycle and the speed that you wake up can effect how much you remember you dreams, so maybe that is why I always remember my dreams? I have no idea. I just know that they are wild!

Sometimes my dreams are wonderful and fantastical and full of adventure and happiness. I like those dreams. Sometimes they are mundane and repetitive, like working on an assembly line. But sometimes, they are bad.

I have a lot of nightmares.

Nightmares are a common side effect of PTSD. They don’t always have anything to do with my trauma. Sometimes they do, but not always.

Since my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis my nightmares have gotten even worse and more frequent. I know it is because of the added stress of the diagnosis and being sick.

My most common theme in my dreams is that I am being chased. The “chaser” and the situation varies dream to dream, but the general feeling is always the same. I am running for my life and whoever or whatever is chasing me is always one step behind me.

I wake up from those dreams exhausted, out of breath, soaked with sweat and anxious. Dreams of being chased usually subconsciously mean that you are avoiding a person/ issue.

It’s not too hard for me to identify the “issue” in my life that has been my biggest source of anxiety, fear, and avoidance in my recent life. My diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. I know that I have come very far already with accepting and processing my diagnosis. But I also know that I have many more lessons and much more to learn in my life.

So, I try not to let these dreams effect me in my waking life too much. Sometimes I will have what I like to call a “hangover dream”. Meaning, the feelings and emotions from that dream will “hangover” into my day.

Have you ever had a dream that someone died and woken up feeling sad and completely devastate for that person, even though you know damn well they are alive and well?

I can see how it would be easy for people to believe that dreams are omens and signs from above. When I have one of these hangover dreams that lingers with me throughout the day I try to challenge myself to practice extra mindfulness and presence to try to guide my mind back into reality.

Things like going for a walk, doing some gardening, writing or cleaning tend to help me let go of a particularly powerful dream.

Do you remember your dreams? Do you have “hangover dreams”? Have you done your own research into the meaning of dreams? I’d love to hear more about this fascinating and mysterious subject!

Hoping you have nothing but positivity in your sleep tonight!

-A