Our emotional life is physical. It imprints itself on our bodies and on our neural systems. Problems from childhood or adult trauma in our deep limbic system can manifest as moodiness, irritability, clinical depression, increased negative thinking, negative perceptions of events, decreased motivation, floods of negative emotion, appetite and sleep problems, decreased or increased sexual responsiveness, or social isolation.
Our neural system carries with it our emotional sense memories from childhood. When the memories are positive, they are likely to propel us toward optimism and self-acceptance; when they are painful, they can color our sense of self with darker hues. Familial trauma can impact this brain/body system in ways that shape our developing nervous system.
From the book: Emotional Sobriety Tian Dayton
