Your brain wants to keep you safe. This is obviously a good thing. However, in some instances, it can create a scenario in which things go too far. As you go through your life, your brain stores memories so they can be recalled when needed. This can help guide us to choices that, theoretically, are safe.
If you’ve endured a traumatic experience, your brain can get “stuck” in over-protection mode. It will not let go of memories that have not been fully processed and resolved. In such a state, your brain sees danger even when it does not exist. This is because trauma has changed how your brain functions.
How the Pain of Trauma Changes Your Brain
The human brain maintains a complex balance of chemicals. Even the tiniest fluctuation can cause a palpable disruption. Undergoing a traumatic experience is far more than the tiniest fluctuation. It can impact your brain in multiple areas (amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex), e.g.
Amygdala
Think about emotions and instincts when you ponder the amygdala. It’s obviously very important but it can get deceived. Let’s say you encounter something that reminds you of a traumatic event. Your amygdala reacts as if it’s the first time this has happened.
Hippocampus
This area controls your memory. It literally helps you tell the past and present apart. Trauma decreases the amount of normal activity you experience in your hippocampus. Therefore, a memory or flashback is indistinguishable from your current reality.
Prefrontal Cortex
This area regulates your impulses and emotions. As with the hippocampus, the prefrontal cortex has its activity suppressed by trauma. This diminishes your capability of controlling your fear. In such a condition, you are likely to stay very reactive. As a defense mechanism, your brain grows hyper-vigilant. It’s as if you are locked in a permanent fight-or-flight response.
In addition, a trauma-impacted brain can result in symptoms that may not appear to be related, e.g.
Appetite changes and stress eating
A rise in blood pressure
Engaging in risky, dangerous behaviors
Substance abuse
Self-harm or thoughts of suicide
Keep in mind that not everyone responds this way to trauma. However, since roughly half of us will endure at least one traumatic event, it may feel helpful to learn that there is good news. The brain can and does heal.
Your Brain is Plastic
This has nothing to do with petrochemicals. When the brain is called “plastic,” the term relates to its incredible flexibility. Our brains grow and evolve all the time. This is how we’re able to do things like:
Navigational skills
Playing musical instruments
Learning new languages
Also on that list is recovering from trauma. Brain neurons can forge new connections and therefore, new behaviors. This is very, very good news for anyone who is suffering from something like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Healing From the Pain of Trauma
A major first step on this journey is acceptance. It is a recognition of the reality that you have a problem. This problem is more than you can handle and address alone. Seeking professional help is a giant step toward recovery. Under the guidance of an experienced therapist, you can reframe the traumatic memories. You can correctly place them in the past and begin the process of resolving these experiences.
A wide range of treatments exists to accomplish such goals. The changes in your brain can be reversed and you can live a healthy life — free of the imposing weight of trauma. If you have endured experiences that still shape your mindset, we should talk soon. I invite you to reach out so we can schedule you for a safe and confidential consultation.
