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Anxiety
When someone has experienced childhood trauma, it’s not uncommon for their nervous system to become wired for protection, constantly on edge, scanning for any sign of danger. This hypervigilance isn’t a flaw; it’s the body’s way of trying to stay safe. The mind, always trying to protect you, learned early on that the world could be unsafe, and so it stays alert, just in case. But over time, this survival strategy can take a toll.
As adults, this may show up as anxiety in seemingly everyday moments, feeling overwhelmed at a social gathering, struggling to make simple decisions, or even finding it hard to relax at home. It can feel like your whole body is stuck in a kind of overdrive, unable to fully exhale, unable to trust that things are okay. Even something like a disagreement at work might trigger panic, not because you’ve done something wrong, but because the brain, shaped by past experiences, is expecting rejection or danger.
These responses aren’t irrational. They’re intelligent. They’re your body and mind doing what they once had to do to survive. And if you’ve ever felt frustrated with yourself for not being able to "just move on," please know this: your nervous system has been trying to protect you all along. And the very fact that you’re here, seeking healing, is proof of your strength.
The beautiful truth is, healing is possible. Just like the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is mended with gold, your healing doesn’t erase your past; it transforms it into something even more powerful. Your scars are part of your story. They make you beautiful. They make you strong.
Therapies like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT), inner child work, hypnotherapy, and NLP can offer profound shifts. In a safe, nurturing space, you can begin to understand your patterns, gently soothe the nervous system, and rewire the mind’s old messages. You might learn grounding techniques that help you stay present, or uncover and reframe beliefs formed in childhood that no longer serve you. These approaches don’t just manage symptoms, they help you feel safe in your body again.
Healing is a journey, and it’s one that unfolds with compassion and patience. But it is possible. And as you walk this path, guided by curiosity and kindness, you’ll begin to feel more connected, more calm, and more yourself than ever before. You’ll come to see, just as I do, that your scars aren’t signs of damage… they’re proof of your strength, your survival, and your capacity to heal.