Trauma is what someone can experience when they go through a stressful, fearful, or disturbing event. These situations or interactions can be difficult to plan for and cope with as they are usually completely out of our control.
Traumatic events can involve the sudden loss of a loved one, a natural disaster, a life-threatening event like a car accident, or witnessing a traumatic event like a robbery or shooting. These examples are known as singular or individual traumas. There are also traumatic events that can be ongoing, like childhood traumas involving emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect, and violence.
Traumatic events can be difficult to deal with in the moment and aftermath. These types of events can cause behavioral, cognitive, and physical changes in the body and brain. The signs and symptoms that can be physically seen are more commonly talked about. Let’s learn more about how trauma can affect the brain and behavior.
The Amygdala
The Amygdala is the part of the brain responsible for regulating emotions, assessing threats, and storing memories. When trauma occurs, the amygdala can become hyperactive, which can cause it to become more defensive or sensitive towards any perceived threats. This change means a person will have a harder time determining what is actually a threat versus what isn’t. This change will cause a person to appear on edge or anxious when involved in certain situations, especially unfamiliar ones.
The Hippocampus
The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and processing emotions. Individuals who have gone through a traumatic event show signs of having a smaller hippocampus. The connection between the hippocampus and its network of connections within the brain, crucial for learning and basic human survival, is also reduced when trauma is present. These changes can make it difficult for a person to remember certain memories. Some memories related to the trauma may become too clear for a person, which can make them feel like they’re reliving the traumatic event all over again. A person may also have a hard time differentiating which memories are past or present events.
The Prefrontal Cortex
The prefrontal cortex is the portion of the brain that controls one’s behavior, functions, and personality. Trauma can cause changes in how a person behaves and thinks. When trauma is present in the prefrontal cortex, it can become less active. This can negatively impact someone’s ability to make decisions, control their impulses, and regulate their emotions. A person who goes through a traumatic event will have a harder time being rational, thinking things through, and making decisions due to new fears from the trauma. In addition, there can be changes in one’s learning and decision-making skills. Changes in the prefrontal cortex can also impact someone’s ability to connect with others.
Behavioral Changes
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of trauma are related to the body. The physical signs and symptoms are more well-known and talked about because these changes can actually be seen. However, there are a lot of changes that can take place within the brain as well as in someone’s actions and behaviors. Here are some of the most common behavioral changes that can occur after trauma:
- Denial
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dissociation
- Easily startled
- Engaging in reckless behaviors
- Lack of trust in others
- Outbursts
- Unable to manage emotions
- Unhealthy coping mechanisms like self-harm or self-medication
How to Heal
Traumatic events are never easy. No matter if the trauma took place within a few seconds or if you dealt with it for years, it doesn’t make it any less difficult to navigate and process those various emotions, thoughts, and memories. It may seem impossible right now, but healing is possible with the right treatment and support. Read more about the trauma therapy options we offer here. While there are certain lifestyle changes that you can make to help reduce some of the signs and symptoms you’re experiencing, working with a licensed and trained mental health professional is always recommended for something like trauma. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you heal and move forward again.