Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Job instability , betrayal , or anxiety
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 (13)
Get your queries answered instantly with Care AI FREE
20000+ health queries resolved in last month
Yes,
Next Steps
psychotherapy
Health Tips
let's talk
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced doctor online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+161
Consult psychotherapist
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Yes, your experiences of teeth grinding, tongue clenching and shivering during dreams are likely linked to unresolved stress and trauma. These physical manifestations are common responses to emotional distress and can be exacerbated by past experiences such as job instability, emotional betrayal and episodes of anxiety.
Next Steps
Contact a therapist, maintain proper sleep
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
It seems to be post traumatic psychological changes. It needs to be addressed asap otherwise it may get complicated.
It needs to be treated in a holistic approach for complete recovery.
It can be well treated with counseling sessions and homeopathic medicine effectively if required.
You need an expert psychologist who is a good homeopathic physician.
Next Steps
I have been working as a Homeopathic Psychiatrist and Counseling psychologist for the last 17 years. You can contact me through an online appointment for further assistance.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hello
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.
Take therapy, and you can connect with me on nine two six six seven two six zero six five.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hi, Consult a psychologist for professional help and psychological assessment
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hi,
Thank you for opening up about what you’re going through. What you’re describing—grinding your teeth, clenching your tongue, shivering during dreams—is more common than you might think, especially in individuals who’ve experienced prolonged emotional stress or trauma.
Yes, your body can absolutely hold onto stress.
This is something known as somatic memory—where unresolved emotional pain, trauma, or anxiety gets “stored” in the body, often showing up as physical symptoms. Teeth grinding (bruxism), muscle tension, and disturbed sleep are frequent ways our nervous system tries to cope or alert us to unresolved emotional tension.
Given your history of job instability, emotional betrayal, and anxiety, your body could still be stuck in a kind of “alert mode,” even during rest. These reactions aren’t weaknesses—they’re signals. Your body’s trying to protect you, but it might be stuck in survival mode longer than needed.
Next Steps
Consult with me for trauma-informed therapy (a psychologist can guide you through this). Techniques like somatic experiencing, EMDR, or even mindfulness-based therapy can help your body and mind process and release what it’s been holding onto.
Health Tips
You’re not imagining it. Your pain is real, and you deserve healing—not just mentally, but physically too. You’ve already taken the first brave step by noticing the patterns and asking for help. The rest of the journey? You don’t have to walk it alone.
Let me know if you’d like help finding the right support. You’ve got this.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Ms. Pooja Gupta
Counselling Psychologist
8 yrs exp
Delhi
Hi,
The symptoms you're experiencing, such as teeth grinding, clenching your tongue tightly, and shivering during dreams, are often associated with stress and emotional distress. These physical reactions can be your body's way of coping with unresolved stress, trauma, or anxiety that you may not be fully aware of or able to express consciously. When you're going through emotionally challenging times like job instability, betrayal, or episodes of anxiety, your nervous system can become hyperactive, leading to behaviours like bruxism (teeth grinding) and bodily sensations during sleep. These responses might also be linked to underlying stress stored in the body, manifesting as physical tension or involuntary movements during sleep. Addressing these symptoms involves managing stress through relaxation techniques, therapy, or counseling to process unresolved emotions, and sometimes consultation with a healthcare professional to explore sleep-related issues or other underlying causes. Taking steps to reduce stress and seek emotional support can help alleviate these physical symptoms and improve your overall well-being.
Next Steps
consult
Health Tips
seek help
Answered
Flag this answer
0/2 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Ms. Neha Sachdev
Psychologist
11 yrs exp
Delhi
Hi
It’s great that you have identified the symptoms and the cause of the issue. It is unresolved trauma n your body is now experiencing it.
Job instability, emotional betrayal are linked with experiencing anxiety. It could have been vis-a- versa.
Now, how do we go about it -
Talking through the trauma again and talking about the suppressed thoughts and emotions you went through esp the period of loneliness including self-doubt and being judged, followed by justification by you to yourself and others.
Unless we talked it through with the professional, the fear of happening to you again and how to deal with it will not be effective. Along with coping up with trauma, and how to proceed further in life will also take place during sessions.
Next Steps
You do need assistance to cope with it
Happy to help
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Mr. Gunjan Maithil
Psychologist
13 yrs exp
Bangalore
Hi.... Yes, repressed issues do try to take exist through our dreams causing these kind of teeth grinding, tounge clenching, or shivering response. But there must be some immediate triggers which are causing this kind of issues. I hope you have taken therapy earlier but if not than you must take it now. Most people leave therapy the time they start feeling better but the issues remain latent and come out later in the next stressful situation. You need to take Therapy and address your core issues from the root and stop working reactively upon the symptoms.
Next Steps
Consult a Psychologist.
CBT along with Interpersonal Guidance and Counselling using Psychoanalytic Approach is required.
Health Tips
Mr. Gunjan Maithil
Senior Psychologist
Cell: nine six seven one three zero three one three four
Website: https://gunjanmaithil.wixsite.com/therapy
App: http://wix.to/fechb08?ref=cl
Answered
Flag this answer
0/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Ms. Smriti
Counselling Psychologist
18 yrs exp
Bangalore
It's unresolved emotional conflicts.go for therapy
Next Steps
connect
Health Tips
connect
Answered
Flag this answer
3/3 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Ms. Garima Chauhan
Clinical Psychologist
3 yrs exp
Delhi
Hi,
Yes—what you’re describing can absolutely be linked to unresolved emotional stress or trauma stored in the body. Teeth grinding, clenching, and shivering during sleep are often signs that your nervous system is still processing distress.
Therapy focused on trauma release and emotional regulation can help bring relief. I’d be glad to support you on this healing journey.
– Garima Chauhan
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Next Steps
CBT
Answered
Flag this answer
1/2 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Aarushi Dewan (PhD)
Clinical Psychologist
10 yrs exp
Delhi
Dreams are the royal roads to the unconscious mind. All the repressed emotions, fears , conflicts get manifested in the dream content.
Please don’t get worked up due to the symptoms you are experiencing , talk to a mental health professional who can help you understand your underlying emotional conflicts , and how to deal with it.
Emotional regulation skills will be helpful for you.
Next Steps
Consult a RCI licensed clinical psychologist
Health Tips
Do any breathing exercise before sleeping.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.