The Hidden Link Between Trauma and Autoimmune Disease

When we think of autoimmune disease, we often hear the same story: the body is attacking itself. But what if that view is incomplete? What if autoimmune patterns are not self-attack, but an intelligent protective response of a nervous system shaped by trauma, chronic stress, and relational wounding?

In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we’re joined by Anna Gieselman, neuro-somatic practitioner and founder of Beyond Functional. Anna sits down with Elisabeth and Jennifer for a powerful, eye-opening conversation about how trauma, attachment wounds, toxic shame, and boundary violations condition the immune system and shape autoimmune responses, and why nervous system-first healing is essential for lasting change.

Together, we explore how relational trauma and suppressed emotions fuel chronic inflammation, why boundaries are critical for immune health, and how shame responses become embodied drivers of disease. Anna also shares her personal journey of healing from lupus, and how nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and boundary repair changed her relationship with her body and her health.

This episode is not about blaming yourself for illness or fighting your body. It’s about honoring your body’s wisdom, understanding the survival intelligence beneath autoimmune patterns, and building the capacity to heal from the inside out.

If you’ve struggled with chronic illness, emotional repression, toxic shame, or boundary repair, this conversation offers a compassionate, grounded lens to understand your experience — and new tools for healing.

Topics discussed in this episode:

● Why autoimmune is not self-attack
● How trauma and attachment wounds drive immune dysregulation
● The role of chronic stress in autoimmune flare-ups
● Boundaries, self-abandonment, and immune dysfunction
● How shame fuels inflammation and disease
● Emotional repression and autoimmune patterns
● How to support immune healing through nervous system work
● Why emotional expression reduces inflammation
● The role of nervous system regulation in long-term autoimmune healing
● Honoring your body’s intelligence and protective responses

 

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Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

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