Many medications work by lowering arousal and helping the body relax. However, in people with trauma histories and DID, relaxation itself can sometimes register as unsafe.
When arousal drops, protective responses in the nervous system may activate to prevent vulnerability. As a result, instead of feeling calmer, a person may experience increased energy, agitation, or alertness.
This kind of “opposite” reaction can reflect a nervous system that learned to stay highly alert for safety. It is a survival response rather than a sign that the body is broken.
This page is part of the Somatic and Body-Based Symptoms in DID section of the CommuniDID site, which explains why dissociation can affect the body, including pain, sensory changes, or neurological-like symptoms, even when medical tests are normal.
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