Trauma’s Toll: Brain & Body

Sometime in the future, I will begin my blogs with a catchy phrase that is unique to this practice and my personality. For now,

WELCOME!

Aside from being a licensed therapist, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to teach and collaborate with counselors-in-training. Recently, we had a discussion about trauma and working with clients who’ve experienced traumatic life experiences. Trauma is a very hot topic right now in both the counseling world and the general public. As we learn more about trauma and people continue to lean into healing, it is becoming increasingly important for counselors, mental health professionals, and even the public to understand the living impact that trauma can have on our lives.

Within the large realm of trauma, there are lots of different areas to explore such as sources, triggers, and the diverse range of reactions people may have as a result of traumatic experiences. However, this post is going to focus on just one: the impact of trauma on our brains and bodies. To start, it’s helpful to understand what trauma is.

Trauma is an experience or a series of experiences that exceed a person’s ability to cope using their existing coping behaviors.

In other words, trauma experiences are so distressing or overwhelming that they have the capacity to leave a lasting impact on a person’s emotional, psychological, physiological, and physical well-being. To add to this, traumatic experiences can disrupt a person’s sense of safety, trust, and security leading to additional distress and challenges in various areas of functioning (such as work, relationships, family, school).

As I discuss the nature of trauma, it’s a good time to note that it is not the actual event or situation that took place that necessarily causes the trauma, but rather the person’s perception of what occurred and their personal experience of the event or situation. For example, a car accident may leave one person feeling frozen behind the wheel for the next several months while another person may simply feel annoyed about having to get their car repaired. A high conflict relationship may leave one person feeling hypersensitive to conflict, while another person may feel liberated and ready to seek a different connection. When someone shares their experience of going through something overwhelming or incredibly distressing, it’s important that we don’t dismiss their unique experience, because what may seem manageable to one person could have a profound impact on another. The impact is influenced by so many different factors such as developmental stage, personal history, support systems, other traumas, coping behaviors, personality… the list goes on. The point is, we have a responsibility to honor and respect each person’s unique experience.

Now that we’ve discussed the unique, individual nature of traumatic experiences, let’s transition to the heart of this post: trauma’s impact on the brain and body.

1. The Brain

There are several profound effects that traumatic experiences can have on our brain. Frequently, people who have experienced traumatic situations find it challenging to make sense of their behaviors or emotions, or logically comprehend their reactions to various situations. It’s important to know that trauma has the capacity to rewire the brain, leading to changes in the way we perceive, process, and respond to ourselves, others, and the world around us. Knowing about these neurological impacts can help us address ourselves and others with kindness, compassion, and understanding. Some of these impacts are:

Activated Amygdala: the amygdala is a structure in the brain that plays a crucial role in processing emotions, assessing fear, detecting threats, and arousal and stress responses. For individuals who’ve experienced trauma, the amygdala may become highly reactive, creating an increased sense of fear, hypervigilance, and difficulty with regulating emotions.

Samuel is going on a first date with Sarah, a new romantic partner. During the date, he noticed that his heart was beating very fast and his palms were sweaty. He feels very self-conscious and finds it difficult to be in the moment and enjoy the date. Instead, he is constantly every minor cue or perceived disinterest from Sarah is being magnified by Samuel’s amygdala.

Impaired Hippocampus: the hippocampus is a structure of the brain that is involved with memory formation and emotion regulation. When a trauma occurs, it is possible that individuals may have difficulties with memory consolidation, distinguishing between past and present experiences, and even flashbacks. Some individuals may report that they can’t remember the trauma in detail (only bits and pieces), while others report that they have no recollection of the trauma at all.

Prefrontal Cortex Dysfunction: this part of the brain is responsible for higher level functioning like our decision-making, impulse control, and emotion regulation. When a traumatic situation or experience occurs, it can impact a person’s ability to make healthy or helpful decisions, problem solve adequately, and manage impulses. Some individuals may experience a hard time deviating from a plan, or considering other perspectives; in the counseling world, we call this cognitive flexibility.

Raul has been accepted to two different colleges. Recently, he has been experiencing a significant amount of distress and anxiety about making a decision because he fears making the wrong decision. Even though he’s talked to just about everyone around him, made a pros and cons list, and thought about it for days, he just can’t seem to make the decision because the fear.

Changes in Neurotransmitter Levels: Our brains have many chemicals with different functions. Some of these are serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. When trauma occurs, our brain may experience an imbalance of these chemicals which can lead to mood disorders, feelings of depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress.

These are just some of the ways trauma can impact our brain, however, like I mentioned earlier in this blog, trauma can also profoundly impact our physical-wellbeing. There is an intricate connection between our mind and physical sensations; researchers continue their exploration of physical sensations and physiological impacts of trauma, but what has become apparent is that trauma can alter the way we function, respond, and relate to the world around us. Let’s get into it!

2. The Body

When we think about trauma, most of us associate it with the emotional and psychological toll it takes on people. But our knowledge and understanding can’t stop there. Trauma can also have a significant impact on our bodies as well, leaving a lasting imprint on our physical health. From alterations in brain chemistry (as discussed above) to disruptions in the nervous system and immune function, trauma permeates through every fiber of our being. That’s why it’s so important to understand the impact of trauma comprehensively. Here are some of the impacts trauma has on our bodies:

Hyperarousal: after a traumatic experience, it is possible for people to become overly activated in different situations (sometimes in situations that aren’t threatening but feel threatening). They may experience an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and elevated blood pressure, causing them to feel constantly on edge, anxious, or hypervigilant.

Sleep Issues: we often hear about trauma survivors experiencing nightmares however, other sleep issues are certainly possible as well. Some individuals who’ve experienced trauma may have a difficult time falling asleep, wake up frequently at night, or may feel restless in their sleep. Whatever the case may be, a lack of quality sleep (especially persistent lack of quality sleep) can cause fatigue, difficulty with concentration, and irritability.

Physical Symptoms: this is one of the more interesting body-impacts of trauma! Some people who’ve experienced trauma report physical symptoms such as migraines, headaches, muscle tension, gastrointestinal issues, and chronic pain. These physical symptoms are likely due to prolonged stress and emotional distress.

Immune Function Disturbances: Chronic stress (or distress) related to trauma can weaken the immune system response, making individuals more susceptible to illness, infections, autoimmune disorders, and other health challenges.

Hormonal Imbalances: Trauma experiences can disrupt the functioning of the endocrine system; the system responsible for managing our hormones. High cortisol levels (stress hormone) are linked to several negative physical health outcomes. I work with many women and couples experiencing sexual health issues. Through my research and training, I’ve found that chronic stress levels can also impact hormones associated with sexual arousal and desire. Oftentimes, I work with my clients to find healthy ways of managing stress with the goal of reinstating balance to their hormone levels.

Cardiovascular Issues: Like many other chronic stressors, trauma can also cause cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease.

As I look over this list, I have to remind myself and those reading this blog that these direct responses I’ve discussed are really just the surface of how trauma impacts the brain and body. But trauma doesn’t stop at the surface - it reaches deep within us, impacting us in ways we may not even realize or be aware of yet. This is why I am such a huge proponent of therapy. A good therapist will guide and safely encourage their clients to go deeper, view situations from various perspectives, and catch onto thoughts, feelings, behaviors, dreams, or even sensations that may be trauma-related.

As a final note, I can’t talk about trauma without briefly touching on culture. While this post covered very general information related to trauma, it is important to note that trauma may look and feel different in the context of different cultures. For example, in my South Asian culture, I often see trauma presenting as depression, anxiety, hypervigilience, and physical symptoms. You may find that when you read the lists above, some of the items are totally relatable and some aren’t. This is because we are all unique and operate within diverse cultures. It can make identifying trauma responses a little tricky, but it’s really a beautiful thing.

Trauma is far from just an emotional experience. Our brains and bodies bear the weight of trauma, often leaving us with lasting emotional, physical, physiological, or psychological challenges. Trauma’s effects are far-reaching and complex, however if we learn about the unique ways trauma impacts our brains and bodies, we can develop a deeper understanding of our own experiences and begin our healing journey. We can learn to compassionately connect with others who’ve experienced traumas, and cultivate safe relationships that foster growth. I know they say, “ignorance is bliss” but in this case, self-awareness and self-understanding is liberation. Our awareness is our key to healing.