The Vagus Nerve, Trauma, and Chronic Illness: A Pathway to Healing for Sensitive Souls

Chronic illness, especially autoimmune conditions, often brings a frustrating mix of persistent symptoms: brain fog, gut issues, anxiety, poor sleep, and unrelenting fatigue. As someone who has navigated the challenges of autoimmune disease and deep sensitivity (see my story at StephanieMoDavis.com), I know firsthand how elusive true relief can feel-and why I am so passionate about sharing these insights.

Why This Matters to Me

My journey with autoimmune illness has been anything but straightforward. Years of searching for answers led me to discover not only the power of the vagus nerve and nervous system regulation, but also the profound impact of early life trauma and high sensitivity on chronic symptoms. My passion for this work is rooted in personal experience: I have lived the cycle of stress, inflammation, and feeling “stuck” in old patterns. Breaking free required a holistic approach that honored both my biology and my story.

The Hidden Link: Trauma, Sensitivity, and a Stuck Nervous System

Early Life Trauma and Repeating Stress Patterns

Modern research and somatic psychology confirm what many of us have felt: unresolved early life trauma can keep the nervous system locked in survival mode. Gabor Maté, MD, explains that trauma is not just the event, but the lasting wound that shapes how we respond to life’s challenges. When these wounds go unaddressed, the body and mind can become trapped in cycles of hypervigilance, anxiety, and chronic inflammation (Maté, 2021).

Peter Levine, PhD, founder of Somatic Experiencing, describes how trauma becomes “stuck” in the body, manifesting as persistent tension, digestive issues, or emotional overwhelm. Without resolution, the nervous system struggles to return to a state of calm, making healing from chronic illness even more complex (Levine, 2010).

HSPs and Empaths: Processing Life More Deeply

If you identify as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or empath, you’re not alone. HSPs process sensory and emotional input more deeply, which can be a gift-but also a challenge. According to Carl Jung’s work on the psyche and the “shadow,” sensitive individuals may internalize stress and trauma more intensely, leading to patterns of avoidance, self-doubt, or feeling “stuck” in old stories.

For HSPs, the nervous system’s heightened reactivity may mean that even everyday stressors trigger a cascade of fight-or-flight responses, making it harder to access the body’s natural rest-and-recover state. This can perpetuate chronic symptoms and contribute to a sense of overwhelm or isolation.

Breaking the Cycle: Vagus Nerve Support and Story Rewriting

Trauma-Informed Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Healing requires addressing both the physiological and psychological layers of our experience. Here’s how you can begin:

1. Somatic Practices (Peter Levine):

   • Trauma release exercises and grounding techniques help discharge stored tension and reconnect with the body.

2. Narrative Rewiring (Carl Jung, Gabor Maté):

   • Journaling, art therapy, and shadow work can help externalize and reframe traumatic memories, building confidence and agency to recreate your story.

3. Vagus Nerve Activation:

   • Breathwork, singing, cold exposure, yoga, and meditation can all help regulate the nervous system and break the stress-inflammation cycle.

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The Power of Rewriting Your Story

As Gabor Maté and Carl Jung both emphasize, healing is not just about managing symptoms-it’s about reclaiming your narrative and integrating the parts of yourself that have been hidden or wounded. For HSPs and trauma survivors, this means learning to trust your sensitivity as a strength, not a weakness, and finding confidence to create new patterns rooted in safety and self-compassion.

My Passion and Hope for You

My passion for this work is deeply personal. Through my own healing journey, I’ve learned that true relief comes from honoring both the body and the story it carries. By supporting the vagus nerve, addressing hidden trauma, and embracing sensitivity, it’s possible to break free from the cycles of stress and inflammation-and to step into a life of greater resilience and joy.

If you’re seeking a holistic approach to chronic illness, know that you’re not alone, and that healing is possible. For more on my journey and resources, visit StephanieMoDavis.com.

References

• Maté, G. (2021). The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture.

• Levine, P. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness.

• Jung, C.G. (1963). Memories, Dreams, Reflections.