Traumatic Brain Injury is not 'just in your head' — it produces measurable physical symptoms through well-understood neurobiological pathways.
Why Traumatic Brain Injury Causes Physical Symptoms
The brain and body are not separate systems. Traumatic Brain Injury activates:
- The HPA axis: releasing cortisol that affects virtually every body system
- The autonomic nervous system: creating the physical experience of threat
- Inflammatory pathways: affecting immune function and tissue health
- The enteric nervous system (gut-brain axis): digestive symptoms common in traumatic brain injury
Common Physical Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
- Muscle tension, headaches, and chronic pain patterns
- Digestive symptoms: IBS, nausea, appetite changes
- Sleep disruption and fatigue
- Cardiovascular: heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure over time
- Immune effects: increased susceptibility to illness
When Physical Symptoms Are Primarily Traumatic Brain Injury
Physical symptoms from traumatic brain injury are real, not imaginary. But they're best treated by addressing traumatic brain injury directly, alongside symptomatic relief when needed.