Heartburn

Imagine a child growing up in a household where feelings are not expressed or voiced, or even actively discouraged. Where the emphasis is on ‘good’ behaviour. Where there is a certain amount of control over what is talked about. 
This may be a loving household, but in the non expression environment the child never learns how to voice or deal with the emotions that come up. Internally there is conflict and suppression . 

There is no language for them , and so that child holds the feeling inside, and it is expressed through the body. 

This child finds it easier to say ‘I have a tummy ache’ than to say ‘I’m worried about going to school ‘ 

Heartburn happens when the stomach is trying to process what’s coming into the body. 

More acid, more churning in the attempt to digest.
Maybe there is a lot of heightened emotions, conflict , anger, frustration around the current situation. 

The grown up child still has difficulties in voicing these feelings. They have learnt that expression is not ‘allowed’ , so instead the feelings keep churning, heating, burning up the heartspace, and maybe they shout at the dog, the slow driver, or explode at the person in a call centre. But really, deep behind the anger is hurt. A feeling of responsibility for others and the situation, a feeling that they are unable to cope, which makes them feel ‘less than’ .

Understanding the emotions that you’re feeling is the first step to healing. Writing them out, recognising that feeling how you feel is not an expression of weakness, feelings are true and valid. Acknowledging them brings comfort , compassion for yourself, compassion for the child that was never taught to handle them well.