The hidden link between trauma & autoimmune disease —and how it shapes the way we work

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This article discusses childhood trauma, chronic illness, and mental health struggles. If these topics are sensitive for you, please take care while reading.

For most of my life, I was told that my type 1 diabetes diagnosis at age 12 was just one of those things—bad luck, genetics, or maybe (and I swear this is true) because I enjoyed potatoes too much. And while, yes, I did (and still do) have a love affair with potatoes, we now know that autoimmune diseases are often triggered by significant stressors, not just genetics or diet.

Years later, when working with a psychologist, I started unpacking what was happening in my life around the time I got sick. It turns out, I was navigating things that no child should have to. Without going into too much detail, I witnessed from a close family member who lived with me the dark side of addiction, suicide attempts, and the kind of chaos that keeps a child in a constant state of fear. I had recurring dreams about my family being in danger, and I spent most of my time in hyper-vigilance mode—waiting for the next crisis.

When you grow up in an environment like that, your nervous system adapts. Your body learns that the world isn’t safe. You stay on high alert, always bracing for the worst. And sometimes, that prolonged stress turns inward, manifesting as chronic illness and/or auto immune disease.

This isn’t just my story. Research now shows a strong link between childhood trauma, chronic stress, and the development of autoimmune diseases. And yet, this connection isn’t talked about nearly enough—especially in relation to how it affects the way we work and show up in our careers and businesses. 

Even more alarmingly is how overwhelmingly this impacts women, Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 8% of the population, 78% of whom are women (John Hopkins, 2004). Women are also disproportionately impacted by trauma, and the evidence suggests this is the crucial link. 

The science: why trauma & stress make us sick

There’s solid evidence that early-life trauma rewires the body and brain, making us more susceptible to illness later in life.

• A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that people with significant childhood stress were more likely to be diagnosed with an autoimmune disease as adults. (source)

• The famous Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study found that people with high ACE scores were significantly more likely to suffer from chronic pain, fatigue, and immune system disorders. (source)

• Trauma keeps the nervous system in survival mode, flooding the body with stress hormones like cortisol. Over time, this inflammation damages the immune system, increasing the risk of conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes.

  
  

So, if you’ve ever felt like your illness didn’t come out of nowhere, or that stress makes everything worse—you’re not imagining it. Your body has been keeping score.

How trauma shapes the way we work

If you’ve grown up in constant survival mode, it doesn’t just impact your health—it deeply affects how you approach work, success, and self-worth.

I see this pattern in so many chronically ill and neurodivergent people (and I’ve been guilty of it myself). Instead of working in a way that supports our health, we push ourselves harder—because that’s what we were taught to do.

Here are some ways trauma often shows up in the way we work:

1️⃣ The “hyper-independence” trap: refusing to ask for help

If you grew up believing that you couldn’t rely on anyone, you might:

✔️ Struggle to delegate work (because it feels easier to do it yourself).

✔️ Avoid asking for accommodations or flexibility at work.

✔️ Push yourself beyond your limits because you don’t want to seem weak.

I see this all the time in my coaching clients—especially those who have left traditional jobs to start businesses. They refuse to hire help, avoid outsourcing, and try to do everything alone—even when they’re on the verge of burnout.

💡 Breaking the pattern: Recognise that needing help doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. The most successful people (and healthiest people) build support systems, whether that’s at work, in business, or at home.

2️⃣ Overworking to “earn” rest

For a long time, I felt deeply uncomfortable with taking time out. If I wasn’t productive, I felt lazy, guilty, and unworthy.

Sound familiar?

✔️ You push through pain or exhaustion because stopping feels like failure.

✔️ You take on more than you can handle because slowing down isn’t an option.

✔️ You have “good days” where you overwork to make up for the bad ones.

This is a trauma response. If you grew up in a high-stress environment, work can feel like the only thing you can control. So you keep pushing, even when it’s harming you.

💡 Breaking the pattern:  Start tracking your energy, not just your tasks. Productivity isn’t about.  how much you do—it’s about sustainability.

3️⃣ Feeling like you’re “not good enough” (aka imposter syndrome)

Many chronically ill and neurodivergent people struggle with feeling unworthy of success—especially if they grew up in environments where their needs weren’t met.

✔️ You constantly feel like you have to “prove” yourself to others.

✔️ You doubt your own expertise, even when you’re more than qualified.

✔️ You hesitate to put yourself out there in your career or business because you don’t feel “legit” enough.

💡 Breaking the pattern: 

Your worth isn’t based on what you produce. Success doesn’t require suffering. You don’t have to prove yourself by overworking.

How to work with (not against) your body

So, how do we start breaking free from these patterns?

✅ Stop treating work like survival mode. 

You don’t have to “earn” your right to rest.

✅ Redefine success on your own terms. You get to create a work life that supports your health.

✅ Set boundaries (even when it feels uncomfortable). Saying no isn’t selfish—it’s necessary - remember the book 'The subtle art of not giving a f***''!

✅ Work with your energy, not against it. Design your schedule around your real capacity, not some outdated idea of productivity.

Let’s talk: how has chronic illness shaped the way you work?

If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you:

🗣️ Do you recognise any of these patterns in yourself? 

Have you struggled with overworking, hyper-independence, or guilt around rest?

Drop a comment, send me a DM, or share your story—I want to keep this conversation going.

If you’re looking for support in building a career or business that works WITH your body (not against it), I’d love to help. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Let’s chat.