Trapped in the Past: How Trauma Rewires the Brain in PTSD
The effects of trauma on the brain can lead to significant changes in both its structure and function. If you are experiencing lingering symptoms after a traumatic experience, it’s important to know that this is a common experience and can be attributed to these changes.
Our brains have the crucial task of keeping us safe, and they are both intricate and fascinating. Throughout our lives, our brains process experiences and turn them into memories, allowing us to approach things that bring joy and avoid things that cause discomfort.
The brain’s defense mechanism is quite intelligent, as it converts experiences into memories that act as a blueprint for learning. These memories capture crucial details such as our location, scent, visual surroundings, presence of people, and emotions, among other things.
When a person experiences trauma, their brain tries to protect them by relying heavily on past memories and experiences. However, this can lead to an overactive response to perceived threats in the present, even when the danger has passed.
When a person experiences PTSD, it can result in permanent alterations to the brain that may hinder their ability to live a fulfilling and healthy life if left untreated. Understanding the causes of these changes and taking steps to heal from trauma can be vital to recovery.
The impact of trauma on the brain
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 3.6% of adults in the United States have PTSD, and of those individuals, 37% experience severe symptoms.
To gain insight into the development of PTSD, it can be beneficial to have a fundamental understanding of how the brain works.
The Triune Brain model, developed by neuroscientist Paul D. MacLean in the 1960s, remains a useful framework for comprehending cognitive function.
The brain can be categorized into three primary parts based on complexity, ranging from simple to complex:
- Reptilian brain. The reptilian brain is responsible for managing autonomic body processes, such as heart rate, breathing, hunger, and thirst, as well as housing your survival instincts.
- Mammalian brain. The second part is the mammalian brain, which includes the limbic system. This part is responsible for processing emotions such as fear and joy and also regulating attachment and reproduction.
- Neomammalian brain. The neomammalian brain is responsible for higher-order cognitive processes, such as sensory processing, learning, memory, decision-making, and complex problem-solving.
When confronted with a traumatic event, the brain prioritizes essential functions and shifts to the lower brain systems. This triggers the sympathetic nervous system, which releases stress hormones and prepares the body for survival mode, including fight, flight, or freeze response. Additionally, a fourth trauma response known as the fawn response has been identified.
After the threat has been neutralized, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes active again, which enables the brain to return to normal functioning with all three parts, allowing the person to rest and process the traumatic experience.
However, for some individuals, this transition does not happen, and PTSD occurs when the brain remains in survival mode continually, preventing the person from relaxing.
Here are some of the lasting impacts of trauma on the brain and how it leads to PTSD symptoms:
Amygdala
The amygdala, a small almond-shaped area located in the brain, is often referred to as the “fire alarm” because it is responsible for triggering the fight-or-flight response when it detects a potential threat.
Studies have shown that if you have experienced trauma, your amygdala cannot differentiate between past and present threats.
Therefore, when you encounter a reminder of a traumatic experience, your amygdala responds as if it is happening again, causing a surge of stress hormones such as cortisol. This can lead to a constant feeling of being on edge, heightened alertness, and increased levels of stress or anxiety.
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is positioned in the posterior part of the brain and is responsible for learning and memory.
Studies suggest that individuals who have gone through trauma have a smaller and less active hippocampus, resulting in difficulties with memory and problem-solving.
This can cause difficulty distinguishing between past and present experiences, leading to a continuous state of heightened emotional reactivity.
Prefrontal cortex
Research has shown that the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for rational thinking and decision-making, is less active in people who have experienced trauma.
The decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex can hinder the acquisition of new information that could aid in fear regulation. Additionally, the prefrontal cortex may struggle to override the fight, flight, or freeze response due to an overactive amygdala.
Consequently, you may experience difficulty controlling your fear response and have challenges with logical thinking.
Nervous system
PTSD can narrow the window of tolerance for the nervous system, meaning that the amount of stress that can be managed becomes limited due to the constant state of overactivity.
Compared to an individual who hasn’t experienced trauma, you may have a lower threshold for triggering a trauma response, which means you could experience a reaction to an event that wouldn’t typically affect others.
How do these changes affect your daily life?
Living with trauma can be difficult as it can cause various changes in the brain and result in stress hormones continuously circulating through the body. Consequently, people with trauma may experience several symptoms of PTSD.
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), some of these include:
- rage
- anxiety
- irritability
- flashbacks
- nightmares
- panic attacks
- memory issues
- trouble making decisions
- difficulties in thinking, concentrating, or learning
Living with trauma can result in a lack of motivation due to the brain constantly using energy to protect itself from perceived threats.
This can make it challenging to perform daily responsibilities and self-care activities. Additionally, an overactive amygdala can affect your ability to accurately perceive the feelings and thoughts of others, leading to communication difficulties and strained relationships.
Healing from PTSD
PTSD treatment varies for each individual, but it typically involves some type of talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy. There are several types of psychotherapy that are often recommended for PTSD treatment, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). can identify and interrupt negative thought patterns, which can lead to a change in behavior.
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT). This method can help you restructure the beliefs you took away from the traumatic event.
- Prolonged exposure therapy (PE). This can help you learn distress tolerance and self-soothing techniques as you work through triggers in a safe environment.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). uses tones or taps to revisit a traumatic experience through a different lens and form new beliefs around it.
The American Psychological Associationsuggests the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for treating anxiety, depression, and sleep problems related to PTSD. Some of the most commonly prescribed SSRIs are:
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
To support your healing journey, there are various self-care strategies you can try. These include adopting a nutrient-dense diet, ensuring you get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, engaging in moderate exercise at least five times per week, and developing a meditation or mindfulness practice.
Next steps
Although PTSD symptoms can be pervasive, it’s important to recognize that the brain and nervous system have the ability to change and recover. This means that healing and recovery are possible, even if it takes time and effort.
Gaining knowledge about PTSD is essential as it can help you cope with the challenges that you may face. A TedTalk on the impact of trauma on the brain is an excellent resource for educating yourself on this topic.
If you are seeking specialized help with trauma, you can utilize the Find A Therapist directory provided by the Anxiety & Depression Association of America to locate a therapist who specializes in trauma.
To find treatment or inpatient services, you can use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Behavioral Health Services Locator.
While trauma can occur suddenly, healing the brain and body takes time. It is important to be patient and take the healing process one day at a time.
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