At Peacock Hypnotherapy, we work with many clients who are living with the effects of trauma. Often they describe feeling wired, shaky, constantly alert, emotionally overwhelmed or unable to properly rest.
One of the most important things to understand is this:
If you feel like your system is buzzing or on edge, your body is not failing you. Your nervous system is doing exactly what it was designed to do in response to threat.
What Happens in the Brain During Trauma
When a traumatic event occurs, the brain’s threat detection system, particularly the amygdala, sends an alarm signal to the hypothalamus. This activates two major biological systems:
- The sympathetic nervous system
- The HPA axis, which stands for hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis
Within seconds, stress hormones are released, including adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol.
Adrenaline increases heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and muscle tension. It sharpens awareness and prepares the body to act quickly.
Cortisol helps mobilise energy and keeps the brain on high alert.
In a short term emergency, this response is protective and necessary.
However, psychological trauma, especially when it involves a child or someone deeply loved, can keep this system activated long after the immediate danger has passed.
Why Trauma Can Leave You Feeling Constantly On Edge
Trauma does not only live in memory. It is stored in patterns of neural activation.
Neurons communicate using electrical impulses and chemical messengers. When the threat response is repeatedly activated, these pathways become more sensitive. The brain becomes more efficient at detecting potential danger.
This means that even when you consciously know you are safe, your nervous system may still be scanning for threat.
This can show up as:
- Persistent anxiety
- Hypervigilance
- Difficulty sleeping
- Emotional surges
- Muscle tension
- Digestive disruption
- A feeling of internal agitation or buzzing
These are not signs of weakness. They are signs of a nervous system that has been trying to protect you.
Why Talking Alone Is Not Always Enough
When the stress response is active, activity in the prefrontal cortex reduces. This is the part of the brain responsible for rational thinking, emotional regulation and perspective.
In other words, the survival system takes priority over the thinking system.
This is why being told to calm down or think positively rarely works when trauma is involved. Trauma is physiological as well as psychological.
Before the mind can fully settle, the body has to experience safety.
Healing Trauma Through Nervous System Regulation
At Peacock Hypnotherapy, our focus is on helping the nervous system move out of chronic survival mode and back toward regulation.
This involves gently engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest, repair and recovery. When this system becomes more active:
- Heart rate begins to slow
- Breathing deepens
- Stress hormone levels stabilise
- Emotional responses become less overwhelming
- The thinking brain comes back online
Regulation does not mean forgetting what happened.
It means your nervous system learning that the emergency is not happening right now.
The brain has neuroplasticity. It can become sensitised to danger, and it can also learn safety again.
Calm is not denial. Calm is biological regulation.
And regulation can be rebuilt step by step.
🔴 Stressed Nervous System (Sympathetic – “Fight or Flight”)
_________
/ \
| BRAIN | ⚠ Threat detected
\_________/
|
|
[Adrenal Glands]
↑ ↑
(Adrenaline / Cortisol)
|
┌───────────────┐
| |
❤️ Heart 🫁 Lungs
(Fast rate) (Rapid breathing)
|
🧠 Muscles
(Tense, ready)
|
🍽️ Digestion
(Slowed / paused)
What’s happening:
- Heart rate increases
- Breathing becomes shallow/fast
- Muscles tighten
- Pupils dilate
- Digestion slows
- Stress hormones flood the body
🟢 Calm Nervous System (Parasympathetic – “Rest and Digest”)
_________
/ \
| BRAIN | ✓ Safe & relaxed
\_________/
|
|
[Vagus Nerve]
|
┌───────────────┐
| |
❤️ Heart 🫁 Lungs
(Slow rate) (Deep breathing)
|
🧠 Muscles
(Relaxed)
|
🍽️ Digestion
(Active & normal)
What’s happening:
- Heart rate slows
- Breathing deepens
- Muscles relax
- Digestion resumes
- Body repairs and restores
Ready to Begin Healing from Trauma?
If you are living with anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional overwhelm or ongoing trauma responses, you do not have to manage it alone.
At Peacock Hypnotherapy, we specialise in trauma informed hypnotherapy that works with the nervous system, not against it.
If you would like to explore how therapy can help you feel calmer, steadier and more in control again, get in touch today to book a confidential consultation.
Your nervous system can learn safety again. And healing is possible.