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Anxiety & past betrayal
Why do I often grind my teeth, clench my tongue tightly, or experience shivering during dreams? I’ve noticed this happens especially during emotionally stressful periods. I’ve gone through job instability, past emotional betrayal, and episodes of anxiety. Could this be linked to unresolved stress or trauma stored in the body
Answers (10)
Understanding and Managing Body Responses to Stress and Trauma
Many people experience physical symptoms during stressful or emotionally intense periods, such as teeth grinding, muscle clenching, or shivering during dreams. These are often signs of unresolved stress or trauma stored in the body.
Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
Emotional distress, trauma, and anxiety can manifest physically. Common symptoms include:
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Jaw or tongue clenching
- Shivering or trembling during sleep
These responses are ways the body expresses unresolved emotional tension.
Next Steps
Therapeutic Approaches
Several evidence-based therapies can help process and resolve stored trauma:
- Somatic Experiencing (SE)
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Biofeedback or Neurofeedback
Daily Self-Care Practices
Regular practices can support healing and help release physical tension:
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) before bed
- Journaling emotional experiences and dreams
- Body scan meditations to locate and soften tension
- Gentle yoga or trauma-informed movement
- Grounding exercises (e.g., 5-4-3-2-1 technique)
Seeking Professional Support
First work with a psychologist (trauma-informed therapist or somatic practitioner ) .
If symptoms persist or interfere with daily life, consider:
- Visiting a sleep specialist to rule out sleep disorders
- Consulting a dentist for night guards if grinding is severe
Answered
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Yes, your symptoms- teeth grinding, tongue clenching, and shivering during dreams- can indeed be manifestations of chronic stress, anxiety, or unresolved trauma. These are examples of how the body holds emotional tension, often referred to as somatic symptoms of psychological distress.
Next Steps
1. Consider consulting a psychiatrist to evaluate for anxiety or trauma-related disorders.
2. A clinical psychologist or trauma-informed therapist can help address underlying emotional patterns and guide you through healing work such as CBT etc.
3. A dental consultation may also help if teeth grinding is causing damage or pain.
Health Tips
1. Try incorporating relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, or yoga nidra before bedtime.
2. Journaling, mindfulness, and regular physical activity may help regulate your emotional state.
3. Don’t ignore these signs-your body may be asking for emotional resolution and support.
Answered
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Hello,
Your concern on the physical symptoms related to mental health is understandable.
As you have mentioned of unresolved stress & trauma, your emotions may have been suppressed. This disbalance can create energy blockages which can become apparent in such physical reactions.
Emotions are energies in emotion which when resisted, can search for an outlet.
The more you acknowledge, address and release the blockages,the more balanced & peaceful you shall feel in mind and body.
Deep Breathing exercises, Journaling your thoughts, Counseling and Therapy can be beneficial for you.
I wish you progressive healing and holistic well-being.
You can consult for further professional guidance.
Happy Healthy Living!
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Hi
Good awareness. Yes, it can very much be linked to unresolved emotional stress or trauma. Teeth grinding (bruxism), tongue clenching, and involuntary movements like shivering during sleep are often the body’s way of releasing stored tension. When we experience chronic stress, anxiety, or emotional wounds—especially those unprocessed—the body continues to remain in a state of hyperarousal, even during rest.
In your case, past emotional betrayal, job instability, and anxiety may have contributed to an overactive stress response system. These symptoms during sleep reflect your nervous system trying to process what your mind might not be fully addressing when awake. Therapy focused on body-mind integration like somatic experiencing, EMDR, or trauma-informed CBT can help resolve this.
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Although these are symptoms of anxiety. I want to ask some more details to rule out other medical illnesses as tongue bite, frothing, unresponsiveness uprolling of eye r present or not, A EEG should be planned to rule out other organic illness, It may be related to the stresses that you mentioned. You should consult a Psychiatrist to discuss in detail the symptoms, their onset, pattern, association with stress factor, After that EEG is required or not will be planned according to need. If EEG is normal or no other medical cause as partial seizures are rule out, medication with relaxation exercise will be beneficial under guidance of Psychiatrist
Next Steps
definitely plan visit with psychiatrist
Health Tips
take records ( timing, duration, onset of symptoms) discuss with doctor when you plan a visit
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It sounds like you are experiencing some form of anxiety spectrum disorder. Only after a detailed history can one tell what exactly should be the steps to resolve this. If it can be resolved by only therapeutic steps, or is medication is also needed. It does sound like you should get an opinion once as it must be difficult to deal with this at present.
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According to the information provided, you are having episodes of anxiety which worsens with stress. As there is a history of emotional betrayal and bad dreams, there may be the possibility of PTSD, which is due to unresolved trauma.
Next Steps
Visit Psychiatrist for evaluation
Health Tips
Maintain physical activity and daily follow yoga or meditation techniques
Answered
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