The Biology Behind It: How Attachment Drives Anxiety, Autoimmunity and Chronic Illness
Jul 4, 2025
Dive into the fascinating link between childhood attachment trauma and autoimmune conditions. Discover how early fears can program your immune system and even lead to chronic illness years later. Learn why inflammation spikes in response to fear and how it can wreak havoc on your brain. The discussion also reveals practical steps to rebalance your immune system, making it perfect for both practitioners and individuals on their health journeys. Uncover the hidden biological connections that could transform your understanding of wellness.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Dr. Aimie's Autoimmune Anecdote
Dr. Aimie discovered her own autoimmunity following burnout and years of neglecting her health.
This personal experience deepened her passion for understanding trauma's role in autoimmunity.
insights INSIGHT
Fear Drives Immune Inflammation
Nervous system dysregulation causes immune system dysregulation and vice versa.
Fear causes inflammation, highlighting how emotional states impact immune responses.
insights INSIGHT
Microglia Primed by Early Fear
Early attachment fear programs brain microglia to be overactive and sensitive to stress.
Primed microglia remain permanently changed, contributing to brain fog and fatigue in autoimmunity.
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Why the Mind & Body Can't Heal Without Oxytocin with Dr. Sue Carter
Aimie Apigian
In 'The Biology of Trauma', Dr. Aimie Apigian delves into the intricate ways that traumatic experiences alter our physiological responses, keeping us stuck in cycles of fear and reactivity. The book highlights how the hypothalamus, a key area in the brain, responds to signals from the body, such as blood sugar levels, and triggers hormonal imbalances. These imbalances, involving hormones like oxytocin and vasopressin, create a constant state of alert, preventing individuals from feeling safe and secure. Dr. Apigian offers practical strategies and insights to help readers understand their body's responses and create an environment of safety that fosters healing. By addressing the biological roots of trauma, the book provides a comprehensive approach to recovery and well-being.
What if the autoimmune condition you're dealing with today was actually programmed into your immune system decades ago during childhood?
In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie answers a listener’s question about the biological mechanisms connecting early attachment trauma to autoimmunity, and most importantly, what to do about it.
She goes into the biology behind how childhood fear literally programs your immune system at the cellular level, creating a biological foundation for autoimmune conditions that can emerge years or decades later, often triggered by additional stressors like accidents, infections, or major life events.
You’ll learn more about:
Why fear causes inflammation
How early fear creates overactive brain immune cells (microglia) that cause symptoms like brain fog and decision fatigue
The three key immune system pathways that determine whether your body stays in "inflammation mode" or switches to "repair mode"
Practical actions you can take to rebalance your immune system
Whether you're a practitioner working with autoimmune clients or someone with your own autoimmune journey, this episode reveals the hidden biological connections between early life experiences and immune dysfunction and offers hope through practical interventions that work at the cellular level.
The Biology of Trauma® With Dr. Aimie