How Does Trauma Affect the Brain​?

When you suffer from trauma, it damages more than just mental health; it disrupts how your brain functions. 

To understand how does trauma affect the brain​, we must study how trauma affects specific regions of the brain.

Read on to learn more.

Does Trauma Cause Brain Damage?

Does trauma cause brain damage? The answer can be complicated. 

Trauma can result in functional variations in the brain even though it does not produce typical brain injury. 

Brain scan PTSD studies show an altered activity in the:

• Amygdala

• Hippocampus

• Prefrontal cortex

The impact of trauma on memory produces both emotional and cognitive problems, which lead to symptoms like wavering memory function and intrusive thoughts. 

Unprocessed traumatic memories activate the stress response continuously and can lead to emotional damage.

The Brain's Reaction to Trauma

Whenever trauma happens, your brain reacts strongly through its survival response systems. 

You need this response during life-threatening incidents, yet ongoing traumatic experience alters your brain function. 

These changes are apparent in three areas:

• The amygdala (alarm system) increases its reaction intensity while heightening your alertness towards danger.

• After trauma exposure, the hippocampus changes size, interfering with smooth memory creation and leading to broken recollection.

• The brain's prefrontal region slows down and limits its emotional response control and problem-solving ability.

A transverse section of the brain shows how these parts work together during and after trauma. 

The link between trauma and the nervous system explains why PTSD patients remain trapped in their fight response. 

Instances of brain activity differences become evident when scientists compare PTSD brain vs normal brain through brain scans.

Where Is Trauma Stored in the Brain?

People often are curious about the specific brain area that holds trauma. 

Trauma is stored in the amygdala and hippocampus. 

During trauma, the amygdala keeps the powerful feelings, but the hippocampus loses the ability to remember incident details in proper order. 

The imbalance between the brain's areas, which store trauma, causes memories to appear vivid or out of context in everyday life.

When people have unresolved trauma, they develop reaction problems, especially trouble controlling their emotions and feeling sensitized. 

Those whose trauma meets formal trauma criteria usually struggle with anxiety, depression, and disorders like PTSD because their trauma wasn’t adequately processed.

Exactly How Does Trauma Affect the Brain​?

Exploring trauma's effects enables us to deliver more effective support for all its possible outcomes. Here's what trauma does to our nervous system and brain:

• When trauma stays untreated, it stops you from concentrating and creates memory problems.

• The brain area called the amygdala becomes overactive and intensifies anxiety and fear levels.

• Emotional provocations push people towards withdrawing themselves or making them more aggressive.

• Daily pressure from trauma forces your body to produce more cortisol which harms both your physical and mental functions.

Therapy can help restore brain health after trauma events. Individuals can regain their stability when they take action to process trauma and past experiences.

Promising Treatments for Trauma Recovery

The healing process begins when we detect the harm done and create steps to undo these harmful effects. 

There’s also a connection between neuroplasticity and trauma.

The brain can repair itself due to neuroplasticity by establishing fresh pathways in the neural network. 

Trauma recovery therapies use different processes to help patients heal.

• EMDR: Helps patients restructure traumatic memories and decreases their strong emotional reactions.

• CBT: Helps patients break the cycle of trauma by transforming their harmful thinking patterns.

• Mindfulness: Helps control body functions and keeps you steady while dealing with intense emotions.

By addressing unprocessed trauma, the amygdala can return to safe activity levels and improve memory formation.

Where to Go From Here

An individual can manage trauma and rebuild their life through effective therapy. 

Healing your emotional scars requires your full commitment.

You need to acknowledge the traumatic event and start making progress towards healing. 

Find Support with Freedom Psychiatry Center

Our medical staff at Freedom Psychiatry Center uses research-based methods to help patients successfully recover. 

Our therapeutic team brings both evidence-based treatments and a precise understanding of psychological conditions to assist people in overcoming PTSD and healing emotional scars. 

Reach out to us now.

FAQs

Which of the following is a sign of trauma?

Signs include:

• Flashbacks

• Emotional numbness

• Hypervigilance

• Avoidance behaviors. 

Everyone experiences it differently

What is neuroplasticity and trauma?

Through neuroplasticity, the mind makes new pathways which creates prospects for healing after trauma.