By Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D.

Migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, essential hypertension, insomnia, chronic anxiety are just a few of the ongoing complaints of domestic abuse survivors. And it’s not surprising.

These conditions are ALL mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. A system that is perpetually “on” for individuals whose lives are entangled in domestic abuse.

Stemming back to our caveman ancestors, we inherited a physiology that is built to protect us from the perceived threat of impending danger. And when present, sympathetic arousal occurs.

For example, when the caveman saw a tiger, the thought “tiger” registered, activating a limbic system response of “fear”…ultimately, resulting in an adrenergic response that prepares the body for “fight or flight.” And with this, of course, mobilizing the proper body systems to deal with the circumstances at hand.

Here’s what happens: blood rushes to the core of the body and away from the periphery, fueling the core organs, (heart and lungs) for this magnificent maneuver. Blood is pumped to the large muscle groups to enable rapid exit or fierce fight.

Numerous other physiological changes occur. You’re getting the picture, correct? In a nutshell…

1) Your cardiovascular system is aroused: increased heart rate, rise in blood pressure.

2) Your neuromuscular system is activated: increased muscle tension

3) And your gastrointestinal system shuts off: dry mouth, build up of acidity in the gut, bowel and bladder relax

This is sympathetic arousal; that is the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. It is our body’s response to impending danger. It’s your survival mechanism, your natural stress response. This is good.

However, here’s where it’s not. In the same way that our bodies are built to trigger this response, so are we built to cycle down when the impeding danger or perceived threat passes.

And since our physiology can’t distinguish the difference between real and perceived threat, we have the ability to keep this stress response “on” such that complete cycling down fails to occur.

Then when the next tiger comes our way, naturally we are appropriately aroused, but this time the excitation starts from an already elevated point of arousal, thereby resulting in a higher-level stress response.

Now for a moment, let’s envision our creating a habit, if you will, of not fully cycling down between each perceived threat...between each tiger crossing our path. What happens?

Your body systems, associated with the stress response, remain “on” and at higher and higher levels of arousal over time with subsequent activation. This is what we call “chronic stress.”

Here’s the danger. When you keep these organ systems functioning as such, eventually they show symptoms of excess activation. This is the basic etiology of stress related illnesses: migraine headaches, muscle contraction headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, essential hypertension, insomnia, chronic anxiety.

If you are a domestic violence survivor suffering with any of these conditions, seek to cultivate habits that turn “off” the stress response. This will off-set damage done by a pattern naturally inherent in a current or past life of constant criticism, unpredictable partner rage, and ongoing caution, trepidation and fear.

For help in learning how to turn the “on” switch “off”…how to turn the stress response OFF, contact Dr. Jeanne King and ask about the Biofeedback and Stress Reduction Program. It will help you regain your health, vitality and well-being. Dr. Jeanne King helps individuals recognize and end domestic abuse, and heal from abusive relationships.

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©Copyright 2008 Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D. www.PreventAbusiveRelationships.com