The Impacts of Trauma: Why it’s Important to Heal the Sympathetic Nervous System State Through Trauma Therapy
I want to talk to you today about the sympathetic nervous system state. The sympathetic nervous system state is one in which I think unfortunately in the United States, many of us are in almost all the time. We are so busy, we are moving a million miles a minute, we're trying to accomplish all the tasks and all the things.
I know for me, as a woman with a career and a child, I feel like I am constantly on the go, trying to keep up, trying to take care of things and people and aspects of my job and at home, trying to manage responsibilities that are do overwhelming that I don't slow down and breathe. When I'm in this state, I'm in a high state of anxiety, with cortisol pumping through my veins. I'm in a high state of stress,
I can experience panic, have physiological symptoms such as tightness in my stomach, feeling nauseous from time to time, feeling flushed on my skin, with feelings of fear and all around being uptight.
It can become challenging to connect with others. It's hard to be present. It's difficult to listen as well as I would like because I'm thinking about and trying to accomplish so many different tasks. For someone who's experienced trauma, hypervigilance and being on edge and slipping into this sympathetic state is almost the default mode after the traumatic event, which is why sorting through your triggers in trauma therapy is so important.
That's why people who've experienced trauma are kind of always on edge. They're always aware of their surroundings. They might hear a loud noise and jump. They might feel like they can't settle in or relax in a room. Because our nervous system is actually hijacked after we've experienced a traumatic event, it changes our brain and it changes our body.
This can actually lead to health problems such as ischemic heart disease, sleep problems, increased risk of suicidality and depression, increased risk of substance abuse and lung cancer and diabetes. The list goes on and on and on.
When we experience trauma in our lives, and most of us have experienced trauma in our lives at some point, it disrupts our hormonal system, our bodies, our brain, and it just takes a toll on our health. So by gaining awareness around this issue and by seeking the help that you need, you're improving your health. You're improving your life, and therefore the lives of others.
Because we can't put an oxygen mask on someone else first in case we pass out. We have to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first in order to be effective and helpful to others. Just something to think about, I wanted to share my thoughts on the sympathetic nervous system and how this state can be activated, as well as the importance of getting the help and treatment that we need so that the sympathetic state does not become our default mode. We have to calm our nervous systems down in order to be open, functioning, and helpful humans. By helping ourselves heal, we inadvertently create space for others to heal as well.
Teens, Trauma & the Sympathetic Nervous System
Not only does trauma impact adults, but it impacts children and teens as well. Adolescence is already a time of rapid change—hormonal, neurological, social. For a teen who’s been through trauma, the added burden of a chronically activated sympathetic nervous system can make everything feel harder: sleep, learning, friends, home life. In these young bodies, repeated stress and threat signals aren’t just mental—they impact the developing brain and body. For example, trauma in childhood or adolescence is tied to prolonged activation of the sympathetic nervous system (“fight/flight”) which places ongoing stress on the body and nervous system. ADAA+3stdavidsmn.org+3PMC+3
What this looks like in a teen:
A pattern of feeling “on edge” or hyper-alert, as though danger could show up at any moment.
Mood swings, irritability, or sudden emotional outbursts over seemingly small triggers. This fits with research showing that trauma can narrow a person’s “window of tolerance” so minor stressors provoke big responses. Verywell Mind+1
Persistent fatigue or shutdown: after a period of heightened arousal the body may collapse into a “freeze” mode, or simply feel worn out all the time.
Difficulty concentrating, erratic school performance, disrupted sleep, and withdrawal from friends or family. For teens, one large study lists: “disturbed sleeping patterns; withdrawal from family and friends; being very protective of family and friends; loss of interest in school, friends, hobbies and life in general.” Better Health Channel
Physical complaints: headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension—because the body is literally responding to chronic threat by keeping the sympathetic system engaged. Asteroid Health+1
How Counseling Helps Teens Regulate & Heal
Paced, trauma-informed approach: A counselor trained in trauma works with the teen’s nervous system first—helping them understand what’s going on in their body (not just their “feelings” or behavior). That means teaching grounding, breathing, safe posture, and slowing the sympathetic activation. Trauma-informed counseling for teens requires a specific training and approach.
Building a new “baseline”: As healing takes place, the goal is that the sympathetic nervous system doesn’t stay stuck in “emergency mode.” Instead, the teen learns to shift toward states of safety, connection, and rest (parasympathetic / ventral-vagal states).
Integrating brain + body: Because the teen brain and nervous system are still developing, interventions can make a big difference in rewiring how threat signals are processed. Studies show that untreated trauma in adolescence can leave lasting effects on brain regions like the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. ScienceDirect+1, which is why trauma therapy is so important.
Supporting identity & connection: Teens often feel isolated or “different” because of how trauma affects their responses. Counseling offers a place to explore how trauma shaped their sense of self, why they might push people away or act out, and how to reclaim their life moving forward. They aren’t different, their nervous system has just been changed. Counseling for teens with a trained professional can help them gain awareness and connection.
Parent and family support: Trauma-responsive counseling for teens often includes discussion with parents/caregivers about nervous system regulation, how to respond when the teen is dysregulated, and how to build a home environment that supports safety rather than triggers.
If you need ideas for regulating your nervous system, or feel the need to process in trauma therapy, learn more at Counseling and Nature Therapy Center. Our Team of Therapists is available to support you on your healing journey. If you are ready to book, Contact Us. Our licensed therapists provide in-person and virtual trauma therapy in Frisco, Texas.
Want to Regulate Your Nervous System? Start Here:
Huberman Lab Podcast – Science-based tools for calming and strengthening your nervous system. hubermanlab.com
Polyvagal Institute – Learn how safety and connection regulate your body and mind. polyvagalinstitute.org
MBSR by Jon Kabat-Zinn – Mindfulness practices proven to reduce stress. mindfulnesscds.com
