The Weight of Trauma
Saturday, May 1st at 11:30 am
In this session, we will explore how trauma impacts weight–both the loss of weight and excess weight. In our integrative family medicine practice offering primary care, I care for patients who have been through substantial trauma, both distant and recent. They often seek a visit for weight, but as we visit, I evaluate for sleep issues, depression, anxiety, pain, nutrient deficiency, hormone imbalance and more, because where there is trauma, often more than one body system is impacted. To heal one system, all systems impacted must be acknowledged and healed.
I offer a judgement-free safe zone where my patient and I can both take a “bird’s eye view” to better understand how their weight or body image concerns may be correlated to their past trauma. Trauma and the protective behaviors often adopted as a result of trauma can impact key hormones involved in the regulation of weight, pain, inflammation, and more.
While this topic is massive and impossible to cover in 15 min, I hope to bring an understanding of the downstream effects of trauma—and some good news: what we can do about it to improve quality of life and health.
About Havilah Brodhead
Havilah Brodhead, FNP, is a trauma-informed nurse practitioner and owner of Hearthside Medicine Family Care, an integrative primary care clinic in Bend, OR. Hearthside Medicine was voted Best Alternative Family Practice in the Best of the Nest magazine 2021 survey and 2019 survey.
Havilah understands trauma on a personal level and is passionate about creating a safe space for patients to share their stories and heal. She has clinical experience in emergency medicine, urgent care, family care, mental health, men’s health, women’s health, pediatrics, transgender health, and maternal-child health. Havilah offers patients tools and resources for incorporating both holistic/alternative medicine with conventional medicine. Further, Havilah is an advocate for BIPOC , immigrants, and LGTBQA community members. She is a mom of two little daughters and loves to yoga, bike, swim, and nordic ski (while pulling her littles behind her in their chariots!).