How to Detoxify the Body From Trauma
- Revive Mental Wellness
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
Have you ever felt like you’re “over” something that happened… but your body didn’t get the memo? Trauma isn’t only a memory in your mind, it can show up as tension, sleep problems, irritability, panic, numbness, stomach issues, and feeling constantly on edge. While we can’t erase the past, we can help your nervous system heal so your body stops living in survival mode.
First: What does “detox” from trauma really mean?
When people say “detox,” they often imagine flushing something out. With trauma, it’s less about a cleanse and more about helping your brain and body:
Recognize danger is no longer present
Downshift from fight/flight/freeze into regulation
Rebuild sleep, mood stability, focus, and connection
Reduce symptoms that keep getting mislabeled as “just stress”
Think of it as nervous system recovery, not willpower.
How to identify trauma (it’s not always one big event)
Trauma is any experience that overwhelms your ability to cope and leaves your body feeling unsafe, during the event or long after it’s over.
Trauma can be:
Single-incident trauma: accidents, assaults, medical emergencies
Chronic trauma: ongoing bullying, unstable home life, repeated conflict
Relational trauma: betrayal, emotional abuse, gaslighting, abandonment
Developmental trauma: early experiences that shape attachment and self-worth
Secondary trauma: exposure through caregiving, first responder work, or repeated stories/images
Common signs your body is still carrying trauma
Everyone’s symptoms look different, but many people notice:
Trouble sleeping (insomnia, nightmares, waking up anxious)
Panic symptoms, racing heart, shortness of breath
Irritability, anger, or feeling “set off” easily
Numbness, dissociation, or feeling disconnected
Brain fog, poor concentration, ADHD-like symptoms
Depression, low motivation, hopelessness
Digestive issues, headaches, muscle tension
Avoidance of places/people/topics that feel triggering
If these symptoms are interfering with school, work, parenting, relationships, or daily functioning, it’s a sign your nervous system needs support, not a sign you’re weak.
What causes trauma to “stick” in the body?
Trauma can change how the brain and body respond to stress. When the nervous system stays activated for too long, it can affect:
The amygdala (alarm system): becomes overactive
The prefrontal cortex (logic/decision-making): goes offline under stress
The hippocampus (memory processing): stores trauma memories differently
Stress hormones (like cortisol/adrenaline): stay elevated or become dysregulated
Over time, this can look like anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, mood swings, or difficulty focusing, especially when life stress piles on.
What can we do? Practical ways to support trauma recovery
Trauma healing works best with a whole-person approach. Here are evidence-based steps that can help your body “release” trauma patterns and rebuild regulation.
1) Stabilize your basics (sleep, nutrition, movement)
These aren’t “small” things, your nervous system uses them as safety signals.
Keep a consistent sleep/wake time when possible
Reduce caffeine and alcohol if they worsen anxiety or sleep
Eat regular meals to prevent blood sugar crashes (which can mimic panic)
Gentle movement: walking, stretching, yoga, strength training
2) Learn your triggers and early warning signs
A big part of recovery is noticing what your body does before you feel overwhelmed.
Tight chest, clenched jaw, stomach drop
Racing thoughts, irritability, urge to shut down
Avoidance, procrastination, doom scrolling
Tracking patterns helps you intervene earlier.
3) Practice nervous system regulation skills
These tools help your body shift out of survival mode:
Slow breathing (longer exhale than inhale)
Grounding (5-4-3-2-1 sensory scan)
Cold water splash or holding ice briefly (for intense activation)
Progressive muscle relaxation
Safe connection: talking to a trusted person, support group, therapist
4) Consider trauma-focused therapy
Many people benefit from therapy approaches such as:
EMDR
Trauma-focused CBT
Somatic therapies
DBT skills for emotion regulation
If you’re not sure what fits, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Where medication management fits in trauma recovery
Sometimes your symptoms are so intense that it’s hard to do the work of healing, because your brain and body are constantly in survival mode. Medication can help reduce symptom severity so you can sleep, function, and participate in therapy and daily life.
Medication management may help with:
Anxiety and panic symptoms
Depression and low motivation
PTSD-related hyperarousal
Mood instability (including bipolar spectrum symptoms)
Sleep disruption and nightmares
Focus challenges that overlap with ADHD
Medication is not a “numbing” tool when used thoughtfully. The goal is to help your nervous system regain stability, so you can build coping skills, strengthen relationships, and feel like yourself again.
Diagnosis matters (and referrals when needed)
Trauma symptoms can overlap with many conditions, including ADHD, major depression, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. Getting the right diagnosis is essential, because the best treatment plan depends on what’s actually happening.
At Revive Mental Wellness, I provide thorough psychiatric evaluations and diagnostic clarification. If additional support is needed, I can also coordinate referrals (for example, to a therapist for trauma-focused treatment or other specialized services).
When to seek help right away
If you or someone you love is experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm urges, or feels unsafe:
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
Call or text 988 for immediate support
Help is available, and you don’t have to carry this alone.
Ready to take the next step?
If trauma is affecting your sleep, mood, focus, or relationships, support can make a real difference. I offer psychiatric evaluation and medication management for ages 10–60, with both Telehealth and In-Person options.
Phone: 208-398-3351
Fax: 888-388-2271
Address: 1047 S. Wells St, Meridian, ID 83642
Website: www.revivementalwellness.com
Comments