Adrenal Fatigue Healing After Trauma (And If This Condition Exists)

Adrenal fatigue is a rising term in the wellness industry, claiming this is a potential reason for exhaustion after stress or trauma. In this post, I explore the research behind adrenal fatigue healing and other reasons trauma survivors may experience such high levels of exhaustion after trauma. 

What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

According to Harvard Health, the theory behind adrenal fatigue is that your adrenal glands (organs on top of your kidneys) lose their efficiency when they are overworked. This can be from past traumas or chronic stress. Small amounts of cortisol levels support you in surviving stressful situations, but too much can lead to overdrive. Your adrenal glands continue to produce cortisol if you don’t rest. When this happens for a long period of time, you may begin to experience these adrenal fatigue symptoms: 

• Low energy levels
• Low motivation
• Crave salty foods
• Chronic fatigue
• Have an overall sense of low energy
• Weakened immune system

Controversy About Adrenal Fatigue Healing

Adrenal fatigue is a controversial term used in many alternative medicinal practices, and many scholarly articles, including this systematic review, explore how adrenal fatigue is not a recognized medical condition. There isn’t enough evidence to suggest this causes major symptoms mentioned above, and other conditions could be the culprit. 

While adrenal fatigue doesn’t hold much weight in the medical world, HPA axis dysfunction follows similar concepts and is a recognized medical condition. This article from Restoration Healthcare explores how HPA axis dysfunction refers to three different components that result in dysfunction when not functioning properly, one of them being your adrenal glands. This condition causes similar symptoms to adrenal fatigue and is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.

There are many conditions that may be the cause of your exhaustion, so I recommend you speak with your medical team if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above for your best treatment.

Why Are Trauma Survivors Always Exhausted? 

While there are many reasons you can experience exhaustion after trauma, there are other potential reasons. As stated earlier, only your medical team can determine the true cause of your symptoms.

Another reason for exhaustion after trauma is because of dorsal vagal shutdown. This originates from polyvagal theory by Stephen Porges. It can also be because you’re in hypoarousal, a nervous system response more commonly known as the freeze response. When you’re stressed for too long of a period, your body needs a rest. It does this by sending you into dorsal vagal shutdown, or hypoarousal, to recover. Symptoms of this are similar to ones experienced by adrenal fatigue, including: 

• Fatigue
• Dissocation
• Emotionally distant or numb
• Depression

If you’re able to live your daily life, but feel overwhelmed, experience low motivation, or procrastinate, you may be experiencing functional freeze. I welcome you to explore the blog post below to learn more.

Related Post: Yoga For Functional Freeze: 4 Quick Techniques To Get Your Energy Back

How To Restore Balance Within Your Nervous System

There are many ways to bring you into a neutral, balanced state. A common, accessible method is mindfulness and specific techniques. These activities tell your body that you’re safe, which is supportive if you feel you can’t logic your way into feeling calm. 

Supportive mindfulness activities for your nervous system: 

• Yoga, or trauma-informed yoga for survivors of trauma
• Meditation
• Mindfulness 
• Grounding
• Breathwork
• Inversions (when your hips are above your heart)

I invite you to explore the blog posts below for more information about your nervous system and different techniques to bring you to a balanced state. 

• 15 Yoga Tips To Heal Your Nervous System After Trauma
• Breathwork To Release Trauma: 3 Healing Trauma-Informed Practices
• 5 Ways To Meditate After Sexual Trauma

While mindfulness is one way to support your body after trauma, I still recommend exploring all support options and your medical team for your most well-rounded care plan. 

Overview

Unfortunately, adrenal fatigue isn’t a well researched condition within the scientific community. There are still explanations for exhaustion after prolonged stress or trauma, and there are proven ways to restore this balance within you. When in doubt, your doctor can provide medical advice and treat your symptoms best.

I wish you well on your healing journey, and take good care!