Trauma’s Impact on the Brain & Body
Trauma leaves many symptoms in its wake. When we experience trauma, the body’s natural stress response is activated and we go into survival mode. This is often referred to as the fight-or-flight response, but it also includes other options, such as freeze or fawn. After the threat has passed, the brain and body gradually return to a normal state, allowing us to rest, recover and process what has happened. However, for some people, especially those who have experienced significant or repeated trauma, recovery may be more complex.
The effects of trauma can extend beyond the immediate aftermath of the event, leaving a lasting imprint on our mental and physical well-being. The brain often struggles to process these traumatic experiences because they are out of the ordinary and exceed what we are typically equipped to handle on a daily basis. As a result, we can get “stuck” in survival mode and find ourselves unable to relax, continuing to receive distress signals that trigger extreme emotional, psychological and physical responses that can have a significant impact on our daily functioning and overall quality of life.
Emotional/Psychological Symptoms of Trauma:
- Shock
- Numbness
- Panic
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Confusion
- Hopelessness
- Isolation
- Guilt
Physical Symptoms of Trauma:
- Insomnia
- Muscle tension
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Exhaustion
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
These symptoms may fade over time or vary in intensity depending on the person. This can cause some people to never seek professional help after a traumatic experience. However, the effects of trauma often return unexpectedly in response to triggers or episodes, or they cause changes in our behavioral patterns. In the long run, unresolved trauma can result in the development of mental health concerns and give rise to self-defeating behaviors such as substance use, disordered eating or self-harm that we use as coping mechanisms.
Mental Health Concerns
Trauma causes interruptions in neurological function that can change the structure of certain pathways in the brain. A traumatic experience might flood the brain with chemicals that cause stress or fear while lowering feelings of contentment and security. The lingering symptoms of trauma can cement these new patterns in place, making it more difficult for someone who has experienced trauma to regulate their moods, feel happy or feel motivated. Mental health concerns can arise as a result of the imbalances that trauma leaves behind.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or “PTSD”, is an umbrella disorder that may include symptoms of several other mental health concerns. Those who struggle with PTSD might experience flashbacks of the traumatic event, uncontrollable thoughts about their trauma or anxiety that something similar could happen at any moment. The symptoms of PTSD are unpredictable and may occur at any time, which can make it difficult for people with PTSD to get through a normal day.
Depression
Depression is characterized by a deep sense of sadness, accompanied by feelings of fatigue, worthlessness, apathy and low self-esteem. When traumatic events occur, it can make those involved feel helpless, as though there was nothing they could do to prevent it. In turn, they may feel guilty — as though they should have been able to do something about it, but couldn’t. The accompanying sense of deep despair is a precursor to depression, especially if the affected individual does not seek help for the thoughts of sadness and self-blame.
Anxiety
Trauma can instill a sense of fear and panic. People who experience trauma may feel that at any second, something else could befall them and they would not be able to protect themselves or their loved ones. They may fear that they will see someone or something that reminds them of their trauma, and feel worried about how they will react. Living with this constant tension is a key indicator that an anxiety disorder is developing.
Compulsive Disorders
Those who experience trauma often feel as though their world is spiraling out of control. Developing compulsive behaviors is a common coping mechanism since repetitive actions or regular rituals use the same self-control pathways and trick the brain into feeling better. But compulsive disorders such as substance use, gambling addiction or sex and love addiction arise when the associated behaviors become disruptive or harmful, and when psychological and physical reactions occur if behaviors can’t be completed.
Personality Disorders
People who have lived through trauma, especially trauma involving the loss of a loved one or harm at the hands of someone they trusted, may feel as though they can’t trust others or cling to people in their life because they don’t want to lose them. The result might be the presentation of a personality disorder such as borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder or avoidant personality disorder, with symptoms that may include poor self-control, insecurity, unstable relationships, unpredictable moods and more.
Trauma can present in many different ways. Our minds often jump to more “extreme” examples such as violence, natural disasters, child abuse or sexual assault, but trauma can also be more subtle. It can result from any situation or experience that makes us feel unsafe, powerless and alone, emotions that we may end up carrying with us through the years.