Trauma and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Trauma can be a very difficult thing to deal with. For many people, trauma is not the event itself, but the way in which the person is able to process it. This is in part limited to the capacity of a person's nervous system to deal with the trauma it encounters. People with CFS/ME often have more than one contributing driver. I liken CFS/ME to an overloaded power board. People with CFS/ME have so many plugs draining their energy - their power board defaults to shutdown mode. And for many people, trauma is one of the plugs draining their energy. Unless you can remove all the plugs draining your power board, then full recovery is unlikely. If trauma is one of your plugs, don't worry - there are many options available to support your nervous system!

How Does Trauma Affect the Nervous System and Contribute to CFS/ME?

Psychological trauma is as much a physiological injury as it is a psychological one. Trauma can have an ongoing effect on how both your brain and your body function. When a person experiences trauma, the nervous system releases stress hormones. These hormones are used by our bodies to deal with stressful situations. Stress hormones are helpful, but things can become dysfunctional when stress becomes chronic. For many people, the body returns to homeostasis after a stressful event and they can move past the trauma. For others, their nervous system remains stuck in this stress response. This is when the autonomic nervous system can become dysfunctional. Unresolved trauma may be enough to trigger CFS/ME in some people. In others, they may have unresolved trauma and also catch a virus or have mold exposure. For these people, the combination of these may be what triggers their CFS/ME. This autonomic dysfunction accounts for the myriad of symptoms that can occur in CFS/ME.

Can You Heal from Trauma?

Healing from trauma is a complex process and requires a concerted effort to navigate through. Professional support is always recommended to successfully navigate this difficult process. The goal of healing is not only to reduce symptoms but also to increase resilience. Resilience means that when you face a challenge you can bounce back, you're flexible, and you can adapt. There are many useful tools to process trauma but finding something that resonates is the key. One thing to mention is that CFS/ME is not a disease of the mind and will not be cured by therapy alone. CFS/ME is a disease of the nervous system and one thing that affects the nervous system is stress. Your nervous system cannot differentiate between mental and physical stress. Resolving the stress caused by trauma is one part of the healing process.

Therapies to help process trauma

Psychedelics

Psychedelic therapies are gaining momentum, as more research reveals their potential in processing trauma. This July, psychiatrists in Australia will be able to access these treatments for 'treatment-resistant' PTSD. There are, however, various clinics around the world that offer psychedelic therapy services.

Psychedelic medicines can be powerful catalysts to shift one's reality. These therapies should not be thought of as a one-time adventure: but rather as an ongoing process. The user must do the hard work of integration and implementation post-experience to experience a lasting effect. This process begins with setting an intention pre-experience and requires reflection afterward to process what was learned during the experience itself. When working with psychedelics; guidance and support throughout all stages is required to gain the most benefits from this therapy. To get the most out of this experience and keep safety in mind, it's best to venture into psychedelics gradually—start low and go slow! This is where microdosing may prove to be the most beneficial, and it has the added benefit of keeping the window on neuroplasticity open for longer.

Paul Austin, the author of Microdosing Psychedelics: A Practical Guide to Upgrade Your Life, emphasizes the transformative power of psychedelics. Psychedelics help to break down rigid patterns in our thinking and behavior. With the insight gained from these altered states, users can actively work towards manifesting a new reality. Psychedelics act as an agent that introduces chaos into the brain to unlock a greater potential within us. Many people have a lot of rigidity within their entire sense of self and these tools can break that rigidity and open our minds to new possibilities. The experience itself is just the beginning, the people using these therapies also need to take action by showing up every day with intention. Psychedelics can act like a "lubricant" between conscious and subconscious decision-making - so you can ultimately weave together your desired way of being.

Austin describes psychedelics as planting a lotus flower. Beginning with tiling and nourishing the soil. The second step is to plant the seed and then finally you can blossom and flourish. Different psychedelics play different roles in each of these three stages.

Nourishing the soil with MDMA and ketamine

MDMA and ketamine are safe, gentle substances that are useful for healing trauma. They do this by providing a foundation of emotional stability by dampening the amygdala response. This allows a person to process distressing memories without triggering an excessive fear response. Detaching from this fear response allows for a healing, cathartic experience. This ultimately brings about a deeper level of recovery for those affected by trauma.

Planting the seed with LSD and psilocybin

LSD and psilocybin therapies can provide a transformative experience. These therapies allow individuals to completely suppress their ego so they can so new seeds for personal growth. LSD is more dopaminergic which is better suited for external exploration. Psilocybin is geared more toward contentment and presence. The use of psilocybin is much more widespread and the treatment easier to come by as it has been approved in several places throughout the world.

Integration is an important part of bringing the new you to life. Building on your newly entered path requires dedication and effort, this is where meditation, yoga, breathwork exercises are useful. This stage may be ongoing and last for many years before moving on to the next stage.

Blossoming and flourishing with 5-MeO-DMT and ayahuasca

Ayahuasca and 5-MeO-DMT offer individuals the chance to experience transcendence, deepening their sense of self. These powerful journeys can be intense, facilitating cathartic purging that leads to profound growth.

You can read more about the use of psychedelics in Paul Austin’s book Microdosing Psychedelics: A Practical Guide to Upgrade Your Life or check out his other resources at www.thethirdwave.co

Somatic therapy

Somatic therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and body. It is based on the understanding that our experiences, emotions, and thoughts are all intertwined with our physical sensations, movements, and postures. This type of therapy seeks to address physical sensations that arise from emotional or psychological experiences and aims to help clients release trauma or repressed emotions that are locked in the body. By becoming more aware of their bodily sensations and learning to regulate them, clients can begin to feel more grounded and empowered, leading to an improved quality of life. Somatic therapy is a powerful tool for anyone seeking to heal from past experiences and create a more meaningful present.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of psychotherapy that aims to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic experiences. This therapy works by helping individuals to process traumatic memories in a way that reduces their intensity, allowing them to move forward with life more effectively. EMDR involves several stages of treatment, including identifying the targeted memory or event, self-calming techniques, bilateral stimulation (e.g. by moving the eyes or tapping on the body), and closure exercises. While EMDR is still a relatively new treatment approach, it has been found to be effective in treating individuals with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other disorders. 

Emotional freedom technique (EFT)

Emotional freedom technique, also known as EFT or tapping, is a powerful method for addressing emotional issues and reducing stress. This technique involves tapping on specific energy points on the body while focusing on a particular problem or negative emotion. The goal is to release built-up emotional energy and promote a sense of relaxation and balance. EFT has been used successfully to treat a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction. Despite its simplicity, EFT is a highly effective tool for improving emotional well-being and achieving a greater sense of inner peace. With the help of a trained practitioner, anyone can learn to use EFT to overcome emotional challenges and experience a deeper sense of freedom and empowerment.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has proven to be an effective therapeutic approach for individuals seeking to address the impact of trauma on their mental health. Through a combination of evidence-based techniques, CBT helps individuals gain insight into the thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to their distress and teaches them coping strategies to manage their symptoms. In CBT for trauma, the focus is on identifying and challenging negative beliefs and assumptions that develop as a result of the traumatic experience. Therapists work with clients to establish new ways of thinking and behaving that promote healing and recovery. CBT is a collaborative and goal-oriented therapy, and research has shown that it can lead to significant improvements in the well-being of trauma survivors.

Trauma can play a major role in the development and persistence of CFS/ME, yet this is often overlooked. Finding a personalised treatment plan that utilises trauma therapy alongside physical therapeutics may be the answer for managing your chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis. Practitioners experienced in addressing the psychological and emotional components of trauma can help you to find lasting relief from symptoms associated with chronic fatigue. It’s important to remember that although recovery can seem like a daunting task, with the right approach it is possible to reclaim your freedom and live a life full of health and vitality. Don’t underestimate the power of using complementary therapies such as trauma therapy alongside physical treatments – they are not exclusive but rather complementary forms of care that can make all the difference on the road to recovery.

Note: I am not a trauma specialist, I specialise in removing the physical triggers that are contributing to CFS/ME. I always refer my patients to other suitable practitioners when I feel that trauma is one of the drivers of their condition.