Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership

Why are people who experienced more trauma in their childhood more likely to develop diabetes and obesity?

One of the lasting impacts of trauma is that it damages our brain’s ability to regulate stress. So let’s talk about the stress cycle, and we’ll come back to how that impacts insulin and weight gain.

When someone experiences repeated trauma or chronic stress, their nervous system’s fight/flight/freeze response gets stuck “on”. Stress releases Cortisol which increases blood sugar and stimulates appetite. And when that stress response is stuck on, that can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance and diabetes if the stress is chronic.

Now what if that stress response has been stuck in the “on” position since childhood? If we take a look at the trauma side of this, childhood trauma can dysregulate the stress centers in the brain. A child who experiences multiple ACEs will be on constant high alert, making it more likely that the stress response rarely gets turned off. These kids have seen the bear multiple times, and it could be coming for them at any given moment. And this is why the ACEs study showed such drastic impacts on obesity and diabetes for people with repeated childhood trauma.

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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe

If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.

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Learn the skills to regulate your emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership

Check out Anna's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZlDCbFTqHkzV_rUP4V5bg

In this episode, we delve into the concept of complex PTSD and how dysregulation plays a key role in its manifestation. Highlighting the groundbreaking work by James Pennebaker, a psychology professor, we discuss a study where participants wrote about their traumatic experiences for 15 minutes over four days, resulting in significant emotional and physiological improvements. Additionally, we explore the neurobiological impact of early trauma and its effects on processing thoughts and feelings. The episode emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of writing in regulating the nervous system and emotional well-being.

Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com

Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell

Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.therapyinanutshell.com

Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books

Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe

If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.

Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

Learn the skills to regulate your emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership

Morning depression is a common experience where symptoms of depression, such as fatigue, hopelessness, brain fog, and difficulty getting out of bed, are at their worst upon waking. This is largely influenced by biological factors, including the cortisol awakening response, where stress hormones spike in the morning, causing a sense of overwhelm or shutdown. Misalignment of the circadian rhythm, due to genetics, sleep disorders, or inconsistent schedules, can exacerbate these symptoms. Additional contributors include inflammation, which peaks for some people in the morning, and underlying conditions like sleep deprivation, insomnia, or physical illnesses such as low thyroid function or anemia.

Treatment focuses on resetting the circadian rhythm and managing cortisol through light therapy, melatonin microdosing, consistent sleep hygiene, and gradually building a positive morning routine. Simple actions like taking one step out of bed, drinking water, or practicing gratitude can help counteract the depressive freeze response. Talk therapy and medication, particularly SNRIs, can also provide significant relief. By addressing these biological and behavioral factors, individuals can create mornings that feel manageable and even uplifting. Small changes, taken one step at a time, can lead to meaningful improvements.

Check out the transcript: https://therapyinanutshell.com/morning-depression/

Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com

Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell

Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.therapyinanutshell.com

Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books

Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe

If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.

Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC