How trauma might be fuelling your anxiety

For a long time, trauma was something that only “big events” like car accidents, childhood abuse, or military combat were associated with. The idea of trauma often felt distant and reserved for those who had faced these extreme situations.

However, over the years, I’ve come to realise that trauma is not always obvious. It doesn’t always come with loud, visible signs. Many people have experienced what I call “quiet trauma” – the kind of emotional wounds that don’t make headlines, but are deeply embedded in our bodies and nervous systems.

I’ve seen countless clients struggling with anxiety who, after years of trying everything from therapy to self-help books, still feel “stuck.” They might feel like they’re constantly “on edge,” or that their anxiety is inexplicably out of control. “I’ve tried everything,” they say, “but nothing seems to work.” It’s in these moments that I often suspect that trauma could be playing a hidden role.

But why is it that so many people are living with undiagnosed trauma, and why is it affecting their anxiety?

The hidden link between trauma and anxiety

We know that trauma affects the body’s nervous system in profound ways. When we experience trauma, our nervous system often gets stuck in an activated state. This “trauma” might not always be obvious – for some people, it could look like repeated abuse, but for others, it might be small but constant criticisms, unpredictable or disorganised caregiving, or growing up in an environment where emotional needs were unmet. For many people, that state of hyper-alertness becomes a permanent background noise. It’s as if their nervous system is constantly ready for danger, even if no immediate threat is present.

Over time, this chronic state of survival can create a host of physical and emotional symptoms, many of which resemble anxiety. However, anxiety in this context isn’t just a “mind problem.” It’s a body problem – one that is often rooted in past experiences, not current circumstances.

But this doesn’t mean it’s easy to identify. Trauma is often deeply buried in our bodies. We may not consciously remember the events that triggered it, but our bodies do. The way we react to stress, or feel overwhelmed in certain situations, can often be a sign that something unresolved is simmering underneath. We might not recognise it as trauma, but it is there, influencing our every move.

Why anxiety feels so unmanageable

For many of my clients, their anxiety isn’t just a reaction to the present moment. It’s a response to something deeper. Their body has learned, over time, that it can’t trust the environment – or that certain situations trigger old pain, even if they’re unaware of it.

This is why traditional “mind-based” therapies, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), often miss the mark. While CBT can teach you how to reframe negative thoughts, it doesn’t always address the root of the symptoms: unresolved trauma and the body’s learned responses to it. And if the body is still carrying the weight of that trauma, no amount of mental reframing will make it disappear.

The truth is, many people struggling with anxiety are not dealing with “just anxiety.” They are grappling with the physical, emotional, and psychological residue of past experiences that haven’t yet been acknowledged or processed. When we’re stuck in fight-or-flight mode (or even fawn and freeze mode), the survival brain takes over, and in that state, logic and reasoning take a back seat. It becomes incredibly difficult to think your way out of anxiety when your body is convinced you're still in danger.

Until the body learns that it's safe, the mind will keep spinning its wheels trying to solve a problem that isn’t purely cognitive.

Trauma-informed therapy: Healing the nervous system

So, what can be done about this?

That’s where trauma-informed therapy comes in. This is where the power of somatic work, or body-based therapy, really shines. By working with the nervous system directly, trauma-informed therapy helps you reset your system. It’s not just about talking through your past; it’s about helping your body relearn how to be in the present, without carrying the weight of past wounds.

When working with clients who have experienced trauma, we don’t just focus on thoughts or behaviours. We focus on the body’s responses to stress. Through somatic techniques combined with talking therapy, we help release stored tension and unprocessed emotions that are keeping the nervous system stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Over time, this creates a profound shift in how the body responds to stress, leading to a more balanced, regulated nervous system.

You’re not alone – Healing is possible

If you’ve been living with overwhelm, distress or anxiety and nothing seems to work, it’s possible that you’re dealing with something deeper – something that might be rooted in past trauma that has yet to be addressed. You are not broken. Your body and mind are simply responding to something unresolved. And the good news is that with the right support, it is absolutely possible to heal.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into understanding how trauma is affecting your current difficulties – and want to learn about the somatic, body-based approach that has helped many of my clients – I encourage you to explore trauma-informed therapy.

Healing is not just about “getting better” at managing symptoms. It’s about addressing the root causes that have been lying dormant, so that you can truly reset your nervous system and find peace again.