Episode 141: Can Trauma Make Genetic Disease Worse? The Role of the Nervous System with Lizzie Dunn

Listen to Episode 141 with Lizzie Dunn →

When Genetics Feels Like a Life Sentence

Many people living with genetic conditions like MEN1 feel trapped. Or hereditary autoimmune disorders that run in families affecting generations. Practitioners often monitor and treat symptoms without addressing how trauma and nervous system dysregulation amplify symptoms experienced.

But what if your nervous system still holds the key? Holds the key to how you experience your genetic condition?

In this conversation, Lizzie Dunn, diagnosed at 13 with MEN1, shares how she came to my work skeptical about trauma's role in genetic disease and how it could help.

She discovered that her body wasn't betraying her. It was protecting her from further harm the best way it could. And through nervous system regulation and somatic work done consistently, she experienced shifts she never thought possible with her genetic condition.

This episode bridges the gap between conventional medicine and trauma healing. Whether you're a practitioner working with genetic conditions or someone living with a hereditary diagnosis yourself, you'll learn how the nervous system acts as the master conductor of your biology determining outcomes.

Your Nervous System Conducts Your Biology

Living with a genetic condition doesn't mean you're powerless over symptoms. Your nervous system acts as the master conductor of your biology. Determining how severely you experience your hereditary condition every day.

"Even if we have a truly genetic disease, the nervous system matters. The nervous system is still going to be influencing the degree of symptoms that we have from that."

The same genetic condition can manifest very differently based on nervous system regulation you currently have.

Why Genetic Vulnerabilities Trigger Faster

When you have genetic vulnerabilities, your nervous system perceives them as threats and moves into trauma biology faster. "The nervous system sees genetic mutations as vulnerabilities, causing it to move into overwhelm and trauma biology more quickly than if no vulnerabilities existed in your system."

This faster response is protective, trying to prevent harm to already vulnerable system operating beneath awareness. But this protection creates more symptoms experienced throughout your body.

How Stored Trauma Amplifies Everything

"The nervous system is what drives all the other systems. Because it's what changes them, allows them to adapt to environment."

"And so the nervous system, when it becomes dysregulated in responses, it's going to cause dysregulation of all the other systems throughout your body affecting everything you experience daily."

Every symptom of your genetic condition gets amplified when nervous system is dysregulated from stored trauma.

Why Body Disconnection Makes Sense

Why so many people with chronic conditions live disconnected from their bodies. Living in your head and disconnecting from your body is protective.

"Why would I want to be in my body currently? My body is in pain, emotional pain, physical pain constantly. I don't like my body at all ever honestly. My body is working against me hurting me daily. At least that's the thought that I have about it. Why would I want to be in my body experiencing that?"

To avoid overwhelming sensations of powerlessness, shame, and pain, disconnection is survival mechanism protecting you from full experience. But disconnection prevents healing and amplifies dysregulation over time.

Generational Trauma Through DNA

Why generational trauma gets passed down through mitochondrial DNA inherited. "Epigenetics do get passed down to us from ancestors. And it gets passed down especially through the mother lineage. Because of the mitochondrial DNA that gets passed on to children."

Trauma creates oxidative stress affecting gene expression through epigenetic changes. Gets passed down through the mother's side via mitochondrial DNA to future generations who inherit not just genes but trauma patterns.

Integration Creates Real Change

How healing requires working on mind, body, and biology levels. Can't just address one level and expect lasting change. Mind, body, and biology must all be included together simultaneously.

Not sequentially but together working in coordination across all three. Single-approach healing creates temporary shifts that don't last. Integration creates sustainable transformation that persists beyond treatment.

Small Hinges Move Big Doors

"You actually don't have to do that much of each to start seeing shifts happening in your symptoms experienced daily. But we do need to bring in all three working together. Because when you have all three, they're like small hinges operating."

"And when you've got small hinges and you've got three, you just did baby steps consistently over time practicing. Small hinges move big doors in our life opening possibilities."

More effective than years of intensive single-approach work focusing narrowly. Integration multiplies effectiveness creating remarkable shifts you didn't think possible.

The Three Levels of Healing

True healing requires removing blocks at three levels simultaneously.

Mind level addresses self-limiting beliefs through parts work. The stories you tell yourself about your body and condition.

Body level completes interrupted protective responses through somatic work. What your body couldn't do then but needs to complete.

Biology level supports cellular function through biology interventions. Mitochondria, inflammation, and oxidation all need support given properly.

When you provide support across all three levels working together, small interventions create remarkable shifts that seemed impossible before.

Not Resilience, It's Surviving

"That's not resilience at all ever honestly speaking clearly. That's pushing through, that's surviving mode operating beneath awareness. So let's call it that accurately, naming what's happening. Let's call it, Hey, you're surviving, you're pushing through daily."

"But that kind of resilience is going to come at cost. Eventually the body breaks down from constant pushing through." Naming it matters for understanding what's actually happening to you.

Lizzie's Discovery

She came skeptical about trauma's role in genetic disease. How could trauma help when you have a genetic mutation? Seems like genetics would override everything else.

But discovering nervous system's role changed everything for her symptoms. Changed her relationship with her body that had felt like betrayal. Body protecting not betraying her—this reframe removed shame completely. And created hope that change was actually possible for her.

Your Body Knows How to Heal

Like skin healing over surgical incisions naturally without being told, your body knows how to heal itself when conditions allow. This is innate capacity, not learned through training.

The body can reorganize and reset when blocks are removed. When blocks at mind, body, and biology levels are removed. Healing happens naturally when conditions are right. Can't force it through willpower, can only facilitate through support.

This Episode Is For: 

✓ People with genetic conditions feeling trapped

✓ Anyone with hereditary autoimmune disorders

✓ Practitioners working with genetic disease patients

✓ Those skeptical trauma could affect genetic conditions

✓ People with chronic illness and body disconnection

✓ Anyone pushing through exhaustion constantly

✓ Those interested in generational trauma passing down

✓ People ready for integrated healing approach

What You'll Learn

Listen to Lizzie Dunn's story of living with MEN1 genetic condition. Learn why the nervous system sees genetic mutations as vulnerabilities, triggering faster trauma responses to protect already vulnerable systems. How stored trauma creates dysregulation amplifying all symptoms of conditions. Why so many people with chronic illness live disconnected from bodies as survival mechanism to avoid overwhelming pain and powerlessness. How paradox and vulnerability are essential for healing to occur. Why generational trauma passes down through mitochondrial DNA via epigenetic changes. How true healing requires simultaneously working on mind, body, and biology. And why small interventions across all three areas create bigger shifts than years of single-approach work focusing on only one level.

Your nervous system conducts your biology—regulation influences genetic disease severity.

Listen to Episode 141 with Lizzie Dunn →

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared reflects my clinical expertise and research, but every person's biology and healing journey is unique. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers before making changes to your treatment plan or starting new interventions. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact emergency services or a crisis helpline immediately.

Join the Conversation

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. What resonated with you? What questions came up?

Please keep comments respectful and supportive. This is a community of people committed to healing. We welcome diverse perspectives and honest questions, but we don't tolerate personal attacks, spam, or content that could harm others on their healing journey.