#92 The unexpected symptoms of trauma

#92 The unexpected symptoms of trauma

The Trauma Recovery School

Bonita Ackerman du Preez explores the hidden physical symptoms of trauma and shares tools for healing. Learn how awareness can be the first step to recovery.

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5:356 Nov 2025

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Unmasking the Hidden Symptoms of Trauma

Episode Overview

  • Trauma can manifest in unexpected physical symptoms like dry skin or bloating.
  • Stress hormones can keep you in a fight-or-flight response for years.
  • Trauma reshapes identity and affects relationships.
  • Awareness is the first step towards healing.
  • Support systems are crucial for reclaiming life from trauma.
"Trauma doesn't just mess with how you feel. It changes your world."

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? In this captivating episode of The Trauma Recovery School, Bonita Ackerman du Preez unravels the hidden symptoms of trauma that often masquerade as common physical ailments. With her vast experience as a master trauma recovery therapist, Bonita delves into how trauma can manifest in unexpected ways, such as dry skin, random weight gain, or constant bloating.

It's not just about flashbacks and anxiety; trauma can hijack your nervous system and flood your body with stress hormones, keeping you stuck in a fight-or-flight response for years. Bonita shares her expertise on how these symptoms are your body's way of adapting to an unresolved past, challenging the notion that trauma is only mental or emotional. She highlights how trauma can reshape your identity and affect your relationships, making you feel disconnected and on edge. But there's hope.

Bonita emphasises that with the right tools and support, you can retrain your brain, rebalance your hormones, and reclaim your life. Joining Bonita in this episode are her colleagues Keri and Megan, who provide insights into gut health and emotional resilience. Keri, a nutritional therapist, helps clients repair their gut and fuel their bodies, while Megan focuses on building confidence and assertiveness. If you've ever felt that trauma controls your life, this episode offers a roadmap to understanding and healing.

Bonita's message is clear: awareness is the first step to change. So, if you're ready to take that step and explore how trauma might be affecting you, this episode is a must-listen. Are you ready to reclaim your life from the shadows of trauma?

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