Chronic fatigue Quote by Peter A. Levine
““Highly traumatized and chronically neglected or abused individuals are dominated by the immobilization/shutdown system. On the other hand, acutely traumatized people (often by a single recent event and without a history of repeated trauma, neglect or abuse) are generally dominated by the sympathetic fight/flight system. They tend to suffer from flashbacks and racing hearts, while the chronically traumatized individuals generally show no change or even a decrease in heart rate. These sufferers tend to be plagued with dissociative symptoms, including frequent spacyness, unreality, depersonalization, and various somatic and health complaints. Somatic symptoms include gastrointestinal problems, migraines, some forms of asthma, persistent pain, chronic fatigue, and general disengagement from life.””
About This Quote
Source Book: In An Unquiet Mind, 2010
Chronic trauma leads to shutdown and dissociation, while acute trauma triggers fight‑or‑flight responses, producing distinct physiological and psychological symptoms.
In simple terms: Long‑term trauma causes numbness; short‑term trauma causes agitation.
Key Takeaway
Recognize trauma type to tailor healing.
Themes
trauma
psychology
health
mind‑body
dissociation
Mood
anxious
reflective
hopeful
Type
clinical
educational
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- medical evaluations
- stress management programs
- support groups
Key Concepts
neurobiology
stress response
somatic symptom disorder
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your body react to past versus recent stress?
- What strategies help you move from shutdown to engagement?
A Different Perspective
Not all individuals fit neatly into these categories; mixed trauma histories can blur symptoms.
![“The experience of psychological trauma, as is typically diagnosed (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]), has at least some of the following symptoms: • Reliving the trauma: This can happen through nightmares, flashbacks, or reexperiencing as a result of being in the presence of stimuli…” quote by Alan Downs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/192/alan-downs-171688_long-life_the-experience-of-psychological-trauma-a_1738519.jpg)
![“To replace ME/CFS, the [Institute of Medicine] committee proposes the name systemic exertion intolerance disease, or SEID. This name captures a central characteristic of the disease: the fact that exertion of any sort— physical, cognitive, or emotional—can adversely affect patients in many organ…” quote by Ellen Wright Clayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7b1/ellen-wright-clayton-235558_cfs_to-replace-me-cfs-the-institute-of-medic_405286.jpg)
![“ME/CFS has a greater negative impact on functional status and well-being than other chronic diseases, e.g., cancer or lung diseases[8], and is associated with a drastic decrement in physical functioning[9]. In a comparison study[10] ME/CFS patients scored significantly lower than patients with…” quote by Frank Twisk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d4e/frank-twisk-66444_cfs_me-cfs-has-a-greater-negative-impact-on_448653.jpg)
