Is there a link between PTSD and our body’s immune response?
Well, research published in the Journal of Brain, Behavior, and Immunity has stretched beyond focusing on what happens to the body’s nervous and endocrine systems after trauma. . .
. . . and researchers have discovered a connection between trauma and the body’s immune system. More specifically, researchers have become curious about how trauma affects inflammation – as well as whether inflammation influences the development of PTSD.
Mark Miller, PhD and his team from the Boston University School of Medicine took this one step further. They wanted to look at how epigenetics might influence the link between PTSD and inflammation.
In a study from January 2018, Dr. Miller and his team were able to pinpoint how traumatic stress influences one important gene associated with inflammation, the AIM2 gene.
You see, previous research had identified the protein CRP, C-reactive protein, as a major player in our response to inflammation. CRP can act like an internal firefighter – it puts out the blaze of inflammation in the central and peripheral nervous system.
And the gene most responsible for producing CRP is AIM2.
Now when the immune system is at rest and there is no inflammation, a specific part of AIM2 is methylated – that means the genes are tightly bound together and are turned “off.” And when AIM2 is off, CRP is not being made because there are no fires to put out in the body.
So what can cause AIM2 to switch “on”?
Well, stress can be a big factor – and as we know, stress can contribute to inflammation.
But when AIM2 switches on, it also raises CRP levels in the blood to reduce inflammation.
So these researchers wanted to find out two things. First, did traumatic stress contribute to turning this gene “on?” And second (and perhaps more importantly), if AIM2 didn’t turn on and CRP levels remained low – would that influence the development of PTSD?
In this study, Miller and the team took blood tests of 288 post-9/11 US military veterans who had experienced traumatic stress during deployment in Iraq and/or Afghanistan.
After analyzing their blood samples for CRP levels and doing a clinical assessment of the veterans, the researchers’ findings were two-fold.
They concluded that after traumatic stress, CRP levels are elevated. This means that trauma has an epigenetic influence that turns AIM2 “on.” So trauma can lead to inflammation in the body. But CRP helps to reduce that inflammation.
Now here’s the other implication of the researchers’ findings – people who have experienced trauma but have low CRP levels (either due to a failure in epigenetic control of AIM2 or some other genetic mutation) might be at a higher risk for developing PTSD.
While it’s still too early for these findings to have any immediate clinical application, researchers are hopeful that this study is a step forward in identifying how PTSD impacts gene expression and the body.
Of course, we do need to keep in mind some limitations of this study. The research could have been strengthened by using a control group.
Given that you could not use a randomized design in this study, it would be nice to see a future effort conducted with a prospective design.
If you’d like to read this study for yourself, you can find it in the Journal of Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, volume 67, pp. 194-202.
For the latest insights from Bessel van der Kolk, MD; Pat Ogden, PhD; Stephen Porges, PhD; and Ruth Lanius, MD, PhD, please join us for the Treating Trauma Master Series.
Now I’d like to hear from you. What have you found helpful in working with clients who struggle with PTSD?
Please leave a comment below.
I’ve read about the genetics of trauma, and now I’m wondering if this study in any way might illuminate that discussion.
The numerous veterans with combat-related PTSD I worked with at the VA have found the book I donated to be helpful in explaining their reactions after war. The families also reported it as helpful. It is Taming the Fire Within: Life After War. Anne Freund, Ph.D.
I’m not a practitioner. I’m just a 41 year old woman who has cptsd and 5 autoimmune issues. I am always hypervigilant and I know this. I have a very hard time relaxing or letting my guard down. My autoimmune issues started when I was 17. The first actual diagnosis was SLE at 20. APS followed at 21, then Sjogren’s, Hashimoto’s, fibromyalgia. When I was going through an abusive relationship in 2019, I began to get chronic sinus infections and even pneumonia. I also developed shingles in February of 2020 over my 40th birthday. My CRP levels have always been and remain elevated. I was told trauma was likely to have caused my autoimmune issues. I’m truly not surprised. Trauma in the relationship, as well stress and how it affects my body now… it’s all shown me how very reactive my body is. It seems like it’s very sensitive.
I know this is for practitioners. I just wanted to share my experiences in the hopes of helping in some way. Thank you for everything all of you do.
DL,
I am turning 50 this August and have had early childhood trauma and other issues there were traumatic in some areas of my development into adulthood. I am a practicing therapist and I also KNOW how hard it is to try and bring your brain back on line and out of chronic low-level hypervigilance. Thank God for our brave veterans who have been able to show actual data and evidence of how this is a real thing. So many women and men have struggled with these health issues for decades, but unfortunately were not taken seriously. Now MD’s are “listening” to their patients a little more when they have complaints and symptoms related to many issues caused by chronic inflammation due to PTSD. Those of us who have had issues for years, believed our clients’/patients’ complaints because we looked at their medical/psycho-social histories from childhood. We saw the patients who suffered with autoimmune issues were largely patients who had childhood trauma/PTSD. It is gratifying that instead of just being labeled by doctors as “sickly”, “lazy”, or a “hypochondriac”, these patients are being validated as having real medical issues caused by PTSD, but who are not returning war veterans (respectfully). I mourn those who suffered before this and were never validated because of a lack of “data”. These individuals self-medicated in many different ways over the years, but never were taken seriously by most MD’s.
great feedback as i experiences this in my life with understanding now of genetic of stress level this helpful thanks as pain and inflammation of my body outbreak affect different areas and hives under eye after crying
I am dealing with this for years, since i can think of. I am on my way to brain hack my own, lol ?. Since i cannot find a Doc who really knows what is going on. I found so far a herbal solution to find my way back to a kind of relaxed brain. Every triggered cycle is a huge amount of energy dealing with to go through the waves and find a way back to equilibrium. Sometimes it is devastating to constantly battle with your own brain. Since the covid outbreak i did very good at first, all my tools to keep stress at bay worked wonderful and i was all proud, but then two big triggers happened after each other and wohoooo there i went. What i did this time though i stopped faster, got support from my normal Doc and hope in a couple weeks i feel less on edge again and more calm. Hypervigilanz runs me out and at the same time my immune system goes crazy. My mucous membranes in my whole body start to swell up and that is no fun. I am a fighter and hope maybe some day to make a really slowly but deeply shift for myself. I know i am already doing it, even it does not feel like it sometimes. I find it also very sad that new knowledge takes forever to reach the Doc’s office. At least here in Germany. I am grateful my Doc is open to my sharings and tries to find ways with me. Smiles, Anke 🙂
Ps: Tapping, EMDR, Writing, Arts, talking to friends, movement, yoga, psychoeducation are all so important. Just at a certain point i need some medication from outside to reduce my reactivity to every little input that overwhelms me as a HSP who has a very high body awareness.
A really good read gives thought to the number of serious injury I have had over the many years I have been on this earth and opens thought as to why on some occasions I have healed sooner or recovered better, thank you
With DID a person can have changes in physiology depending on which personality or sub-personality is active – different personalities exhibited by the individual may have different health issues from one another, different addictions, different sexual desires, and different responses to foods, drugs, and medications. That makes doing research on them a little more challenging than researching people who have a more stable or coherent sense of identity. That unusual aspect also helps reveal things about consciousness and the physical body that might not be as evident from observing people who aren’t that deeply fragmented or dissociative. In my view we all are to some extent fragmented in our sense of self and not fully integrated and centered in our being, while those with DID have experienced early traumas that led them to cope by using the extreme dissociative protective mechanism that was natural to implement for survival at that stage of development.
This is good information to help people see these connections. As a therapist working a lot with energy healing, energy psychology, hypnosis, and spiritually based mind-body healing methods I find that the body is doing what it can to try to express or release the impact of traumatic stress – when the trauma is reprocessed in these various healing methods it gives the body and energy field an opportunity to release or complete the process of letting those waves of energy and emotion pass through and then allowing for the connected conscious, unconscious, and superconscious aspects of the mind to create a new expanded perspective on the experience that allows for a return to balance and equilibrium (instead of being stuck in the activated sympathetic nervous system mode that comes as a subconscious defense mechanism and creates psychological states of flight/fight/freeze and physical immune reactions and inflammation). I find that physical illnesses can almost always be traced to having an emotional source or component and when I scan the energy field I usually feel the constriction in the chakra area or region of the energy field that is associated with the affected area of the body. Eastern medicine systems have traditionally recognized and mapped the relationship between physical symptoms and unresolved emotional stresses and now research is increasingly confirming that understanding.
I have Complex PTSD, I have seen and expieranced some horrific things, I am 55 yrs old and semminly this started as young as 5/6yrs old. To date I do not take medication and have not since 2003. I now promote recovery from mental illness, and my journey of the stigma and discrimination I expieranced whilst in some of my worst episodes of trauma, I swoll up, and my mind couldnt commute with my body,Izoomedupto15stone from 9 and halfstone. I happy to say that has eventually started to heal, and I amin a great placebothmentally and phychically
I am combining EFT with TRE which seems to make a huge difference in my clients lives. First we’d tap on a specific event and then let the body shake…
What’s really cool about that, they can use both techniques on their own as well which is very empowering
Working with PTSD, has been most challenging…..staying in the present is the first step I use after I ask them to contact their body and ask them if their is a part of their body which is telling them something either by hurting, felling block, etc. and then I ask them to let me know what feeling arouses when they are focusing in this part of their body.
NOT surprised at ALL!
I have about 7 physical maladies and about 7 mental/emotional maladies. Several are debilitating.
I feel traumatized nearly 24/7. This all began shortly after my birth. I will be 58 in November.
Very Important research, which helps explain why people, especially those with chronic, complex PTSD, have a myriad of physical ailments. I have found that a combination of EMDR/EFT and mindfulness can be successful in healing these constellations of mind/body illness. It’s really quite miraculous.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is the best tool I have found for healing trauma. It uses eye movements and mindfulness to clear the body’s response, and clears the triggering images as well. Cognitions change spontaneously as the person gains a healthy dissociation from the event. Corrective positive images replace the old images. The person remembers what happened but is no longer damaged. ART has some good research to date and more is on the way. Because it is quick, it is inexpensive. It gives me hope that we may someday be able to heal all those ACEs.
Hi Nancy,
Lynn Cave here. Are you still practicing? I have a friend with treatment -resistant depression (including the new mild electroshock therapy–forget the true name).
Do you thin ART could help her?
Please give me your thoughts and let me know if you are still practicing.
Thanks,
Lynn Cave
lynncave98@gmail.com
Suzanne, I also have Fibromyalgia which is now thought to have been triggered by Post Viral Fatigue ( now called M.E.) in 1991
I trained as a Body Psychotherapist but am unable to practise due to my increasingly complex health issues. I have believed for many years that my own grief and trauma has become embodied, resulting in the myriad of symptoms I am/we are trying to contend with
on a daily basis.
I agree with you, I can really relate to the information in this post and do feel that trauma, over a period of time as opposed to an acute ‘one off event’, is possibly linked to PTSD. I want to say from a place deep in myself, ‘how could it not be?!’
The two things which help me more than anything else are laughter and weeping! Either of these extremes is discharge and as a result, my pain eases. It’s fascinating stuff and I’m so grateful to these experts sharing this amazing information. Many good, vibrant wishes coming your way from me, for an increase in your health and vitality!
I found Edward Bullmore’s book “The Inflamed Mind” (mainly about depression) very helpful in explaining the workings of the immune system for the general reader
This is fascinating and relevant to my experience. I have pain and inflammation ‘flare ups’ with unexpected and non-injury related episodes. I am now seeing the pattern occurs around traumatic anniversaries. The episodes of pain and inflammation involve my low back, chest and achilles tendons, which began after fleeing being held against my will, tortured and assaulted and subsequently the continued psychological terrorism in the 4 years since the incidents. This included escaping from near-death after months of torture, ‘interrogation’ by Police, moving to safe houses, being a witness at trial, re-living the experience, short-served jail sentence, time for recovery with therapy, being displaced from my community upon jail release, safety planning every move, being stalked and criminally harassed by the offender on the anniversary of the original offenses, back into safe houses, being threatened at work and at safe house, new charges, breech of conditions, protection orders, jail again, release again, living a very small life due to strict safety protocols for home and daylight living… the pain and inflammation ‘flares up’ on the dates where certain events took place originally. This has become clear after the pattern repeated over the last 4 years, I see it now where before it was unexplained. I’ve had MRI’s, X-rays, seen Rheumatologists, OT, PT, Somatic Experiencing and other therapies and am now seeing a TCM. i have discovered that treating the symptoms and not trying to put a diagnosis on it has worked for me, being aware of my symptoms allowed me to pay attention to my body sensations, connect with insight and an open mind, disregard the need for a medical cause, and understand that my body is the wisdom to guide treatment. Understanding this link between PTSD and inflammation has been reassuring and validating. Thank you.
Mary Borge, I’m not able to post the links here, it seems. But just Google my name: Suzette Misrachi and the (easy to read) thesis should come up along with trauma-informed articles I’ve posted on medium.com You can also access my resource website via googling my name. The University of Melbourne’s repository will also give you free access to my research. Just insert my name and it should pop up. Hope this helps!
Kim Holland, you can access my trauma research by Googling my name: Suzette Misrachi
I was not able to post the links here. But just Google my name: Suzette Misrachi and the (easy to read) thesis should come up along with trauma-informed articles I’ve posted on medium.com You can also access my resource website via googling my name. The other alternative is to go to the repository of The University of Melbourne, Australia and my research ought to come up there. Hope this helps!
EXCELLENT INFORMATION !
I work with Australian Aboriginal children and they are most susceptible to inflammation. I often wondered whether they have a compromised immune system connected with their high incidence of trauma experienced as well as the intergenerational aspect
This research is particularly important in that respect
I am a therapist, however having sort treatment for myself I have had several independent evaluations telling me I have PTSD from my childhood experiences.
I have had several autoimmune diseases in my life starting in my twenties culminating in breast cancer twice aged 40 and now 12 years later.
I had come to the conclusion that the pathophys was linked to immune and endocrine issues, but did not know the link regarding PTSD and inflammation.
This is very useful information for me and many others suffering from chronic illness.
Wow..all of what you write above is extremely interesting..I will look up the book. Thankyou.. all of the above mentioned therapies..I am yearning to achieve…K
Thank you for the article tip on immunity, inflammation and PTS !
Just finished “Lives Unseen” by Suzette Misrachi and found it really insightful. in it she calls much needed attention to the often overlooked lifespan implications of childhood trauma and lack of research and life-long supports due to the never-ending grief that results from childhood trauma caused parents. Apparently there is little understanding about the unique (and often overlooked) way grief manifests and impacts the lives of both children and adults, throughout their lifetimes, when childhood trauma and abuse is caused by parents.
Might suigested treatments and supports for childhood trauma lifespan symptoms, particularly unrelenting, debilitating grief be addressed in this Trauma Series?
I agree with you, Ilisa. It would be good if this Trauma Series attended to the grief of the traumatised people I address in my research.
As a teacher, with over forty years experience at the high school, college, university, and graduate school levels, I have uncovered a procedure that allows one to alter negative reactions to bad memories.
This procedure works for veterans to relieve their trauma symptoms, such as hypervigilance, anxiety, grief, distress, nightmares, sleeplessness, reactions to loud noises, and similar reactions.
Veterans who have used this procedure to reduce their symptoms of post traumatic stress, comment that “It’s easy, and it works 100% of the time.”
This procedure is fast, easy, efficient, effective, and makes life more fun. It gives warriors the ability to eliminate symptoms of trauma and other negatives, thus improving their overall quality of life.
What is this procedure that you speak of . Sounds like it would be very useful
Thank you for this article- it confirms my suspicions. My maternal grandfather experienced shell shock in WW1 and was no doubt re-traumatized during the bombings of WW2.
Two of my cousins have died of inflammatory auto-immune conditions, and I am having some similar health challenges.
I hope you might touch on healing inter-generational trauma.
Many thanks!
Thank you for this invaluable information and the Treating Trauma Masters Series …loving it ……I believe trauma and stress on the body has so many effects yet to be discovered by the medical scientific professions.
As the saying goes stress and trauma is the cause of so many diseases in the body if not all diseases …..
We need to remember that we are the sum total ( body, mind, emotions and spirit) of who we are and trauma and stress on any one of these levels can eventually manifest as an imbalance and disease in the physical body.
I am so sorry for your situation. I pray for you and believe you can recover. My son was victimized in the same way you were, and he is very traumatized as a result. Injustice is a form of rape.
Working with traumatised clients I am often starting from a point far before they are able to begin “therapy’
Spending a great deal of time on relationship and developing interpersonal safety seems essential.
Then often I will find a pastime , eg crotchet, knitting, drawing, guitar, gardening etc and help them to learn and develop that skill.Sit with them and teach them and work with them. Many of these pastimes are meditative in and of themselves.
Working with them to develop the skill strengthens the sense of safety and interpersonal bond, then perhaps the work can begin!
Interesting read of your response..thankyou. ive just learnt of the vagus nerve..for releasing trauma. Yes executive function in myself is/has been very challenging through years of stress/trauma..im a keen learner of what is behind my ailments and searching for answers that the doctors/physc just arent reaching 🙂
I have heard that when dealing with the effects of trauma, the base of the cranium is activated, also known as the reptilian part of the brain responsible for survival. One must actively process the trauma through body processes such as rapid eye movement, allowing oneself to shake, and finally reconnecting with the front part of your brain responsible for executive functioning. It is also necessary to take time to write out what happened, so that you can integrate the experience with your reality, grow in confidence, and use your story telling abilities to be of service to suffering people.
Very interesting article and research. Surprising and useful!
What I have found usefull is using
“ titration.” It is essential and empowering for the client to know they do not have to let a negative energetic feeling control their life❤️
Very interesting. After trauma of losing a spouse and having 3 babies to raise alone I suddenly developed rheumatoid arthritis and found I have extremely high CRP and systemic inflammation. Would be cool to see if inhibiting gene expression or something could help reverse either the PTSD or the RA!
Hello Keh, a suggestion in regards to: “something help reverse either PTSD or RA.”
I believe we heal emotionally, physically and spiritually. The mind/body connection will influence the healing journey! Emotion/feelings can create illness. Releasing the intense feeling that has been recorded in our mind and body helps us move forward. Blessing on your journey!
Depending on the type of trauma you speak of. Sexual Assaults and Impact Traumas especially in a domestic situation are injuries. You sever. You do not heal nor mend. You adjust. Your body has a certain amount biochemical and physiological adjustments that it can take before its a fatality. Just like football players, a human in continuum trauma from all entities within its life, will die. Its a matter of when. Somatic Sexual rushes are very real. And when one has them with every trigger of taking their “human rights” away from them, it’s impossible to stop. science has yet to identify why and where in the body this starts in and why. I am extremely interested in ways to alleviate this very real violation in severely forced, traumatized women.
Yes could work. Hope so…
RA is also helped by changes in diet – ie eat less or none of the the foods with cause more inflammation. Dr Floyd (Ski) Chilton has several books on the subject, one being “Inflammation Nation”. He also addresses “food combinations” and I believe synthetic addititives.
Would like to thank you as well for adding to the research on trauma and the immune system, it has been an interest of mine across 50 years now, Have done much research in this area
I find this very interesting, looking forward to seeing this unfold.
As a retired Psychologist I do keep abreast with developments in the realm of trauma.
I have P.T.S.I. Following military service.
This trauma is not a disorder. It is an injury to the brain.
A.D.D. Et-al are disorders.
Keep up the excellent work.
Suzette your input has helped me enormously .. and I would like to read your work “Lives Unseen”.. is it published so I can source it.. I am very interested to read as my son is very high functioning and “Neuro typical” but has seen a lot of things in his life because of things that affected myself .. (I have a diagnosis of adhd/asd).
Thank you and namaste!
Big apologies! I just came across comments and questions about my work (sorry to Kim Holland, Mary Borge, Carolyn Hollingshead, Alexis Smith, Ilisa Smukler and anybody else who is/was interested…). I was not able to post the links here. But you can just Google my name: Suzette Misrachi and the (easy to read) thesis should come up along with trauma-informed articles I’ve posted on medium.com You can also access my resource website via googling my name. Hope this helps!
Interesting question Clare, and I suppose socio-economic factors cone into play too.. whereby the cause and effect of events lead to the marginalising and compartmentalising of an individual with symptomatic facets such as low self esteem? a really fascinating study I am intrigued and would welcome more dialogue! Namaste all! X
Thank you so much for sharing these findings. I suffer with ADHD but also have significant past trauma and am reaching middle age. As I am less able as an advanced yogi due to accident(s!) I teach yoga to patients with life limiting illness and/or disabilities and I am very keen to share this with them. I also volunteer at London Ambulance and this will be a refreshing subject to submit to the chair at the monthly strategy meetings.. Thank you Ruth! ?
As a yoga and mindfulness instructor working with people with traumas and stress, I am very interested in your work and research. Grateful for all the information you share
I Would also be interested in the lives and seeing and reading that how do I access it also
Carolyn Hollingshead, I was not able to post the links here. But you can just Google my name: Suzette Misrachi and the (easy to read) thesis should come up along with trauma-informed articles I’ve posted on medium.com You can also access my resource website via googling my name. The University of Melbourne theses repository will also offer you free access to my research. Hope this helps!
This is really fascinating!
Right now I am in the hospital working on myself as I slipped on Monday night getting out of the shower and broke my ankle in 3 places.
Trauma of course after the fall so inflammation and immune system too. I am scheduled for surgery on Monday after being put in a soft plaster cast on Columbus Day, to stabilize the ankle, so hopefully swelling will go down so I can have the surgery. So this course is helping me and I am able to utilize the tools. Thank you.
Thanks for the post!
Actually this was not really needed and in my case, unnecessarily calling for my attention.
I am not interested in all the biochemical processes and technicalities involved or the researcher protocols and their theories, as I am not a researcher in neuro-biology or whatever.
I am more interested in the result and would like to focus on their clinical translation into practical treatments.
Regarding the question of Trauma and inflammation, I have found that the webinar on the neurobiology of trauma the other day was enough and spot on. Many thanks again for that one!!
My response to information like this is so complexified. That is, I simultaneously feel validated, celebratory, sad and mystified. Validated and celebratory that what many of us have intuited and shared about our experiences with our own bodies and that of our clients has been proven to be true. Sad and mystified at how very long it can take for the science that refutes our embodied knowing and the dismissal or discounting with which it is met. My gratitude for this confirmation, though, is clear as water running over rocks. Which seems to be the path of healing and learning. Thank you.
It would be pleasant when there was research about the connection depression and inflammation in the brain or total body. I know several people who have this combination. Also the combination depression, inflammation and cardiovascular diseases are good for research. And what about depression, fibromyalgia and inflammation. And skin problems ?
Having noticed a direct correlation between emotional and physical stressors and subsequent inflammation myself I believe the above information to be correct. It adds to my theories of why infammation occurs post stress especially with a sedentary lifestyle
Hi!
First of all, I have just joined and so far hugely enjoyed the first installment of the Treating Trauma series. It’s very well presented and especially the animations really bring the neurological details to life.
I have been studying and practicing the Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) for the Treatment of Trauma for some years now. I find it immensely useful not only for a safe, supportive and effective method in sessions but also as a way of resourcing clients in, what are, effectively, mindfulness techniques.
As Lisa Schwarz presented her model at the Trauma summit in Belfast this summer, CRM would have been become known to a wider audience there.
I have used it both for one off traumatic experiences as well as for complex trauma based on attachment disruptions in childhood very effectively.
Best regards, Sylvia
Reading about trauma and inflammation makes me question a Crohns diagnosis that my daughter has received. Might the body’s symptoms, that present as Crohns, be inflammation triggered from a traumatic event. If so how might the treatment plan differ?
This is very interesting as my little infant grandson has been diagnosed with IBD, very rare in such young child. The pregnancy was extremely stressful and I wonder if there is any connection. I also wonder like you whether the treatment would be different. He is only 18 months and fine in other respects, cheerful and lively.
One of the very useful things I’ve found when working with clients with ACE’s and current day trauma issues, is working with the body sensations as experienced in the session – very much like Pat Ogden’s description in last night’s presentation. Would very much like to hear more examples from her…