How Does Trauma Affect the Brain?
Trauma is a powerful force that can leave a lasting impact on somebody's life. Unfortunately, experiencing something traumatic, in some capacity, is something that many people will go through at least once in their lifetime. Whether that is from a singular incident or exposure to multiple traumatic events, it can carry with someone throughout their life.
The past can be haunting, but it can also feel like a mystery for those who have experienced it. Why is it so hard to move on from the past? The answer, in large part, is the brain.
How Does Trauma Affect the Brain?
The Basics
First, we'll start with what is happening during the traumatic event. The brain goes into protection mode in any event that is highly distressing to an individual. We'll take an example of a car accident. Before and after impact, the body and brain are activated into a hypervigilant state. During this state, the five senses kick into high gear while the brain actively tries to block the sensations to protect the person going through it. It may block sounds, sights, textures, or bodily sensations to try and block as much out as possible. It's helpful at the moment, but unfortunately, this ultimately prevents the full memory of the trauma from being processed.
This hypervigilant state, known as the fight-or-flight response, impacts the whole body. Because the nervous system is overwhelmed, people experience an increase in heart rate, a rush of adrenaline, and sweating during this time.
Long-Term Effects
After a traumatic experience, you aren't just impacted during and immediately after. Trauma can also impact three main areas of the brain — the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, and the hippocampus.
The amygdala is the area of the brain that is responsible for triggering the flight-or-fight response. Unfortunately, it often doesn't just become deactivated once some time has passed. It can stay activated, which then causes issues such as:
Avoidance behaviors
Flashbacks
Constantly being on high alert
Panic attacks
The hippocampus is the area of the brain that is responsible for memory storage and emotional regulation. In the aftermath of trauma, the hippocampus often has difficulties regulating emotions healthily and effectively. Constantly fluctuating emotions and hormones can lead to issues such as depression, anxiety, and chronic stress.
Finally, the prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive functioning skills, which refer to an individual's ability to plan ahead and make decisions. Trauma impacts this brain area by causing it to become less active. This is why, after a traumatic experience, someone may doubt themselves and their decisions or struggle to trust their own emotions.
When the prefrontal cortex isn't as active, it can cause someone to engage in dangerous behaviors and impulsive decision-making.
How to Heal From Trauma
Many trauma survivors blame themselves for what occurred. They question themselves and think of every what-if scenario and how they could have avoided something. Alternatively, some people will try to block the memory entirely by not thinking about the painful experience.
Even if we aren't actively thinking about something painful, that doesn't mean it just goes away. The other complicated aspect of trauma and how it impacts the brain is that the painful experience is still there. It boils underneath the surface, causing a host of challenging physical and mental symptoms.
Going through something traumatic is never the fault of the survivor. Due to how complex trauma is and how it can impact somebody, one of the best ways to heal from trauma is to talk to a licensed therapist. Even if the trauma occurred years or decades ago, you can still find healing and relief.
Don't hesitate to reach out to learn more about trauma therapy.
