How Attachment Trauma Drives Anxiety, Autoimmunity & Chronic Illness

Many people push others away while desperately craving connection. Others battle chronic pain, digestive issues, or autoimmune conditions that seem to have no clear cause. But why is this?

The answer often lies in unresolved childhood attachment trauma, specifically the experiences we had before we had words to make sense of them.

This is why someone can have what looks like a good childhood but still struggle with anxiety, digestive problems, chronic pain, or autoimmune issues as an adult. The body remembers what the mind has forgotten.

In this episode, Dr. Aimie breaks down the biology of early emotional pain and how it becomes stored in the body as chronic symptoms later in life. You’ll discover the six core attachment wounds, why the body learns to stay in survival mode, how unresolved early trauma shapes your nervous system, immune system, and relationships in adulthood,  and most importantly, how to become your own safe person. You'll learn:

• [2:08] Why babies need to be held to survive and what happens when they're not
• [8:45] How to recognize if "it's not safe to relax" is your core attachment pattern
• [11:35] The health impacts of early attachment trauma
• [15:20]How fear becomes stored in the body as inflammation and chronic illness
• [20:49] The six core attachment wounds that shape our nervous system and relationships
• [25:30] How childhood wounds create the belief "I'm not capable" and lead to chronic overwhelm
• [30:08] The surprising link between people-pleasing and chronic pain
• [32:45] How brain fog, histamine intolerance, and depression can stem from attachment wounds
• [37:50] The three-phase roadmap to safely heal stored trauma in the body

Whether you're someone living with unexplained chronic health issues or a practitioner supporting clients who seem stuck, this episode will help you understand the deep connection between childhood trauma, nervous system dysregulation, and adult symptoms and what it really takes to heal.

Helpful Links Related To This Episode:

• Biology of Trauma book - how the body experiences and holds fear, pain and overwhelm, and how to heal. Pre-order now and, at the time of this recording, you’ll get over $400 in bonuses included! Those bonuses are only for the pre-order window which goes until Sept 22, 2025. When you’ve already pre-ordered it on Amazon head over here to receive your bonuses.
• The 21 Day Journey - If you're ready to create a felt sense of safety in your body then join me for your 21-Day Journey, a structured sequence of gentle, somatic-based self-practices walking you through The Essential Sequence to safely open up stored trauma in the body. 
• Attachment Trauma Roadmap - Learn how your nervous system affects your ability to form secure attachments. Discover simple steps to rewire your nervous system for better relationships and overall health

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 71: Understanding the Trauma Connection Between Attachment, Autoimmunity, and Fatigue To Find Our Way Out
• Episode 77: Attachment Styles: Impact on Relationships, Health & Healing with Dr. Diane Poole Heller

Related Youtube Videos: 

• Why Attachment Is the Future Of Health | Dr. Aimie Apigian

Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use or misuse of the content provided in this podcast.