Trauma has been the focus of significant research in recent years. After realizing that Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was not just something that soldiers experienced after facing combat, the wide-reaching effects of trauma began to be explored. The correlation that trauma has on physical health, particularly long-term chronic health, has become a significant concern for the burden of care in countries such as the United States. There is an increasing effort to diagnose and treat PTSD early to prevent chronic health problems.
The Physical Impact of Untreated PTSD
Imagine living in constant trauma with the fight or flight response being active all of the time. Living with PTSD, the brain functions the same as if the trauma were replaying in real life, even if it is not. Cortisol levels are constantly elevated, which is not meant to happen. This increases stress on the nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune system, and the body in general. It can even lead to physical manifestations of stress.
The body is not meant to stay in fight or flight mode all of the time. The physical consequences of staying in fight or flight mode all of the time include elevated blood pressure, stress on the heart, osteoporosis, muscle problems, weight gain, changes in sex drive, and more. Those who have endured chronic stress statistically develop more chronic health problems as well. Due to the onset of PTSD happening quickly or even after years after the initial trauma, health problems have not always been identified as being related to PTSD.
Common Chronic Illnesses Linked with PTSD
While the complete list of health problems is extensive, there are links to many specific diseases in patients with PTSD. Autoimmune disorders in particular are often seen in patients with PTSD. Some of the many chronic illnesses linked with PTSD include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s Disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Lupus
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)
- Cancer
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Mental health diagnoses
- Substance abuse
Why Trauma Goes Undetected
There are many situations in which trauma goes undetected, leaving the patient at risk for both PTSD and future chronic health problems. One of the reasons this can happen is that different people experience traumatic events in different ways.
The same natural disaster, for example, can leave some psychologically unscathed or with only short-term trauma that they are able to process and move on from within days, weeks, or months. For others experiencing the same disaster, the trauma can stay with them for years. Sometimes that trauma is exhibited in external behavioral changes right away, other times, the trauma is internalized or remains dormant for years.
There are other reasons trauma gets overlooked as well. Sometimes the traumatic event, such as sexual abuse or assault, happens without anyone else knowing about it. Other times, the trauma is lived through by a family or group of people, but individuals are so preoccupied with their own response to the trauma that they do not notice how it impacts others. This is particularly true in families, where parents may fail to notice a child’s reaction to a traumatic event.
The Price of Childhood Trauma
There is a price that is paid for childhood trauma. It is paid in missed days of school, in poor school performance, in behavioral problems, in a higher rate of substance abuse, and it is paid for in chronic health problems. Whether the health problems begin in childhood or adolescence or even later in adulthood, untreated childhood trauma can become PTSD. The longer the PTSD goes unnoticed or untreated, the greater likelihood there is of chronic health problems developing.
An Ounce of Prevention Saves Lives and Money
Recognizing and treating trauma early can save a lot of suffering. Chronic health problems create unnecessary pain, disease, hospitalizations, and even premature death. Years are shaved off of lives due to the health problems caused by the constant re-exposure to trauma that PTSD causes. Chronic illness also creates more mental stress, with the ripple effects of untreated trauma likely being immeasurable.
In addition to the increased human suffering, PTSD-related chronic illnesses increase the burden of care. The costs of these long-term medical issues are staggering, creating a significant financial burden to the health care system and individuals. The most difficult part of this situation is that all of this has the potential to be prevented. The sooner that trauma is identified and treated, the greater the number of healthy people there will be. Preventing PTSD can have a massive positive impact on the financial health of individuals and society as well.
Beyond the well-known psychological issues caused by PTSD, the extent of chronic illnesses which are also related is still being discovered. By virtue of the constant stressors that are hallmarks of PTSD, chronic illnesses are all too common. Because trauma can go undetected and untreated, the risk of developing PTSD increases. The costs and suffering of chronic illness are preventable with early recognition and treatment of PTSD. The treatment of trauma is a significant focus of therapy at Rancho Milagro Recovery. During residential treatment for addiction, we address past trauma and help you to heal in an effort to prevent further chronic health problems. Many of our staff have lived through trauma and understand the correlation between substance abuse, PTSD, and chronic illness. Call our Southern California ranch at (951) 526-4582 to learn more about our personalized treatment plans. Our goal is to put you on the path of healing from trauma and substance abuse and into recovery.