March is Autoimmune Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about conditions that affect millions of people—particularly women. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, leading to chronic inflammation, pain, and a range of health complications. These include multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Crohn’s disease, and many others.
But what if autoimmune diseases aren’t just physical conditions? What if unresolved emotions, chronic stress, and trauma play a significant role in their development?
The Emotional Roots of Autoimmune Disease
Dr. Gabor Maté, in his book When the Body Says No, explores the mind-body connection in chronic illness. He highlights how suppressed emotions, repressed anger, unprocessed trauma, and chronic self-criticism can contribute to disease. According to Maté, when we repeatedly ignore our emotional needs, push through stress, or silence our own boundaries, our bodies often take the toll—sometimes in the form of an autoimmune response.
Risk Factors for Autoimmune Disease:
Suppressing emotions – Bottling up sadness, grief, or anger can create long-term stress in the body.
Repressed anger – Instead of expressing anger in healthy ways, many people turn it inward, which can lead to chronic tension and inflammation.
Chronic stress & trauma – Ongoing stress, especially from childhood trauma or difficult relationships, keeps the nervous system in survival mode, which can weaken immune function.
Over-giving & self-sacrifice – Many people with autoimmune conditions tend to be caregivers or people-pleasers, putting others’ needs ahead of their own. This chronic self-abandonment can lead to burnout and illness.
Harsh inner critic & self-directed hostility – Many autoimmune diseases involve the body attacking itself, mirroring patterns of self-judgment, guilt, or internalised shame.
Listening to the Body’s Signals
Instead of seeing symptoms as something to fight, Maté encourages us to view illness as communication from the body—a message that something deeper needs attention. Healing doesn’t just involve medication or lifestyle changes; it also requires emotional integration, self-compassion, and nervous system regulation.
At Embody Counselling, I work with clients navigating chronic illness and trauma to help you:
Process and release suppressed emotions safely
Develop self-compassion and soften self-judgment
Understand the mind-body connection in their healing journey
Regulate their nervous system and reduce stress responses
If you're living with an autoimmune condition, chronic illness, or stress-related health issues, I’d love to support you in integrating your emotional and physical healing.
This Autoimmune Awareness Month, I’m offering 10% off session packs to support those managing chronic illness. The code is MARCH10.
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