Think about how your body responds when you’re in a stressful situation. Your heart rate increases, beads of sweat will form on your forehead, or you may even feel sick to your stomach. These are all common symptoms that the body can experience due to anxiety, stress, or trauma.
The body naturally responds to stressful events with the help of the fight-or-flight response. It’s the body and brain’s way to protect themselves against any perceived threats. Typically, after a stressful event passes, the body and brain will return to a normal state of functioning.
When it comes to traumatic events, the body and brain have a difficult time knowing when the perceived threat is actually over. That means that they’ll stay in this fight-or-flight mode for an extended period, which can have long-term effects.
Let’s learn more about how trauma affects the brain and its functions.
The Amygdala
The amygdala is the part of the brain that is responsible for processing your emotions. When trauma is present, it can cause the amygdala to become overactive. Exposure to trauma can cause the amygdala to have a difficult time perceiving what is a threat versus what may not be a threat, which can keep the body and brain stuck in fight-or-flight mode.
These are just a few of the negative effects of trauma on the amygdala:
- Anxiety disorders
- Avoidance
- Hyper-vigilance
- Panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The Hippocampus
The hippocampus is the part of the brain that is responsible for emotional processing, learning, memory, and making decisions. The hippocampus plays a large role specifically with short-term and long-term memories. When the hippocampus is exposed to trauma, it can actually shrink in size, which can cause other problems with its main role and other areas of a person’s life. A smaller hippocampus can be a factor in emotional issues, mental illness, and the development of mood disorders.
These are just a few of the negative effects of trauma on the hippocampus:
- Autoimmune disorders
- Chronic stress
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Heart issues
- Insecure attachment styles
- Relationship problems
- Unhealthy lifestyles
- Weakened immune system
The Prefrontal Cortex
The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is responsible for making decisions, planning, expressing one’s personality, controlling certain areas of speech and language, and managing behaviors in social settings. The prefrontal cortex plays a big part in not only a person’s development but also how they live their lives, both personally and professionally. A healthy and fully functioning prefrontal cortex is essential for someone to fully think things through, plan ahead, and make positive choices for themselves and others. When trauma is thrown into the mix, it can harm the prefrontal cortex as well as its functions.
These are just a few of the negative effects of trauma on the prefrontal cortex:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Difficulty learning
- Impulsive decisions
- Making poor choices
- Memory problems
- Shortened attention span
How to Heal After Trauma
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to healing after experiencing a trauma. The healing journey will depend on each individual and their unique experiences and circumstances. That’s why there are many different coping mechanisms and approaches that can be customized to each person. Here are just a few of the many different ways you can work towards healing after trauma:
- Allow yourself to feel
- Avoid your triggers
- Lean on your loved ones
- Practice self-care
While there are certain lifestyle changes and healthy coping mechanisms that you can try, there isn’t a replacement for proper support through a licensed and trained mental health professional. Trauma isn’t something that just goes away overnight. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to release those negative emotions and thoughts that are holding your body, brain, and yourself back. Read more about trauma therapy here. We’re here to help you move forward again. Reach out today to set up a consultation.