Why can't I eat after trauma?: The biological and psychological factors explained
                                
                                
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                                    5 min read                                
                            
                                According to a 2018 literature review on the effects of stress on appetite, acute stress is most often associated with a decreased desire to eat. This is a key reason why you might feel, "Why can't I eat after trauma?," as the body and mind prioritize survival over digestion during and after a distressing event.