Psychosomatic Pain Indicates Trauma Anniversary?

[Deleted member 1860]

For four of the past five years I have had severe psychosomatic abdominal pain starting in the month of October. It lasts for a month or two at minimum before subsiding.

A few days ago I came to the realization that the pain ALWAYS starts in October and that I've never had it start at any other time of the year.

I can't help but wonder if my body is telling me that this is my trauma anniversary? My sexual abuse occured at the age of four, sometime during one of the cooler months of the year,as I remember what I was wearing. However I don't remember the exact time of year and have no conscious trauma anniversary.

Don't get me wrong, I feel lucky to not have a trauma anniversary, nor do I want one! I'm just curious, that's all.

I don't have a specific trigger that happens at this time of year, nor are my triggers more intense at this time of the year. One year the pain started after being released from a self-injury treatment program. The second year it happened during a time of much school stress. The third year it happened during a bad reaction to medications, and now, the fourth year, it started after a jerk guy brought a lot of drama into my life.

Any feedback? Do others have psychosomatic pain that starts or intensifies at your anniversary time?

Thanks,
SOL

 

[Anna]

Yes, but sometimes not always exactly at the anniversary time. Sometimes it just happens. It feels like a stinging pain, almost like burning where the scar is. Someone told me that when you have a deep scar, sometimes there is nerve damage which can tingle and hurt sometimes. No idea if it is triggered by psychological or physiological things?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I had an interview today with the intensive trauma therapy program I applied to a few weeks ago. The interviewing therapist told me that the body remembers what the mind forgets, and I *may* have a trauma anniversary that falls during this time of year. It makes sense to me...

 

[cat]

Our bodies have incredible memories & do remember our traumas. I used to have very painful arms & legs from my abuse but since trauma therapy those pains have gone.
A book my psych recommended was 'waking the tiger' by Peter Levine. its an easy read & helped me to understand the connection between abuse & physical pain.