Have you ever experienced something traumatic? An event so incredibly frightening or distressing that its shaken you to your core?
Maybe you’ve served in military combat or survived cancer…or a car crash…
Whatever the cause, trauma is real.
Psychological (or emotional trauma) can change the way you think, the way you feel, and the way you react. Trauma can rewire your brain and present challenges in your daily life. It can leave you feeling broken and depressed. People are not impacted by trauma in the same way. However, there are a few things we know about changes in the brain from trauma.
The Wounds You Can’t See
In some cases, the physical scars of trauma are lifelong, visible reminders. On the other hand, emotional trauma is about what’s happening inside your brain. These scars aren’t always visible, but they are very real.
Trauma: Your Thoughts
Trauma can rewire the way a person thinks. One area associated with thinking is the prefrontal cortex (PFC). It contributes to our rational thought process, problem-solving abilities, and sense of empathy and compassion. It helps us think clearly, make decisions, and create awareness of ourselves and others.
Trauma: Your Emotions
The Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) is partly responsible for regulating our emotions. A non-traumatized brain is able to manage challenging thoughts without being overwhelmed or consumed by them. Trauma affects our emotional regulation abilities.
Trauma: Your Fears
Lastly, the amygdala is another very important part of the brain that’s often affected by trauma. It helps us detect threats and manage reactions. The amygdala in a traumatized brain is active often causing fear, stress, and panic in unwarranted situations.
Hope and Healing
Approximately 50 percent of the population will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. Remember, everyone experiences trauma differently. Trauma is not a competition. It is a very personal experience. For that reason, trauma can look completely different from one individual to another.
Everyone has different triggers and levels of stress caused by trauma. Some people will develop PTSD and some won’t. It’s important to remember, in a world full of comparison, that we should not compare our traumas. Feeling guilty because “it was nearly as bad as…” is not part of the healing process.
Your trauma is uniquely yours. It hurts YOU because it is real. Allow yourself to feel…to grieve.
What matters most is healing. Dr. Madaram’s perspective is that everyone has the strength to overcome challenges. Sometimes he needs to help you find it. In fact, sometimes he believes his role is showing you the way to find it yourself.
