Tag amygdala

How Trauma Changes the Brain: What You Need to Know

Trauma, whether it’s from a physical injury or an emotional experience, can have a lasting impact on the brain. Thanks to research in neuroscience, we now know that trauma doesn’t just affect how we feel—it actually changes how the brain works. Understanding these changes can help us see why trauma has such powerful effects and how recovery is possible.

What Happens to the Brain During Trauma?

When you go through a traumatic event, your brain switches into “survival mode.” This is controlled by something called the stress response system, which prepares your body to deal with danger. You may have heard of the “fight, flight, or freeze” response. This is when stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline flood your body, helping you react quickly to protect yourself.

This response is helpful in the short term, like when you need to escape danger. But if trauma is ongoing, or if your brain keeps thinking you’re in danger even after the threat is gone, this stress response can do more harm than good.

How Trauma Changes the Brain

Trauma can change how different parts of the brain work and even how they look. Here are the three key areas affected:

1. The Amygdala: The Alarm System

The amygdala is the part of your brain that helps detect threats and process emotions like fear. After trauma, the amygdala can become overactive, making you feel on edge or jumpy even when you’re safe. This is why people who’ve experienced trauma often feel anxious or have trouble calming down.

2. The Prefrontal Cortex: The Decision Maker

The prefrontal cortex is like the brain’s “control center.” It helps you think logically, make decisions, and calm down after a stressful event. Trauma can make this part of the brain less active, which means it’s harder to think clearly, control your emotions, or feel in control of your reactions.

3. The Hippocampus: The Memory Keeper

The hippocampus is responsible for organizing memories and distinguishing between the past and the present. Trauma can make the hippocampus shrink, which is why some people have trouble remembering details of the trauma or feel like they’re reliving it (flashbacks), even when it’s over.

Why Do These Changes Matter?

The changes in the brain after trauma explain many of the symptoms people experience, such as:

• Flashbacks or nightmares: The brain struggles to tell the difference between past and present, so it feels like the trauma is happening again.

• Anxiety or hypervigilance: The overactive amygdala keeps you constantly on the lookout for danger.

• Difficulty focusing or making decisions: A less active prefrontal cortex makes it harder to think clearly.

These changes also show why trauma doesn’t just “go away” on its own—your brain needs time and support to heal.

Can the Brain Heal After Trauma?

The good news is that the brain is adaptable. This ability to change and heal is called neuroplasticity. With the right support, the brain can recover from the effects of trauma. Here’s how:

1. Therapy: Treatments like trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can help “rewire” the brain and reduce symptoms.

2. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Practices like meditation can help calm the amygdala and strengthen the prefrontal cortex.

3. Exercise: Physical activity can increase the size of the hippocampus and improve mood by releasing feel-good chemicals like endorphins.

Trauma changes the brain, but these changes don’t have to be permanent. Understanding how trauma affects the brain can help us be more compassionate toward ourselves and others who are struggling. With the right tools and support, healing is not only possible—it’s likely.

This article has been written by John S. Collier, MSW, LCSW. Mr. Collier has over 25 years experience in the social work field. He currently serves as the executive director in outpatient behavioral health therapist at Southeast Kentucky Behavioral health based out of London Kentucky. He may be reached by phone at 606-657-0532 extension 101 or by email at [email protected]

References

• Shin, L. M., Rauch, S. L., & Pitman, R. K. (2006). Amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, and hippocampal function in PTSD. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1071(1), 67-79.

• Bremner, J. D. (2006). Traumatic stress: Effects on the brain. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 8(4), 445-461.

• van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.

Understanding Impulsivity: A Guide for Teens

Impulsivity is a term that you might have heard before, but what does it really mean, and how does it affect your life? For teenagers, understanding impulsivity is especially important because the teenage years are a time of significant brain development and decision-making. Let’s break it down.

What is Impulsivity?

Impulsivity refers to acting on a whim or without thinking about the consequences. It’s when you make a decision or take action quickly, without pausing to consider whether it’s a good idea or not. While everyone acts impulsively sometimes, for some people, impulsivity happens more often and can lead to challenges in school, relationships, and personal growth.

Why Are Teens More Impulsive?

During your teenage years, your brain is still developing, especially the prefrontal cortex—the part of your brain responsible for decision-making, planning, and self-control. Meanwhile, the amygdala, which drives emotions and impulsive reactions, is highly active. This imbalance can make it harder to think through actions before you take them. It’s not your fault—it’s just how your brain works during this stage of life (Casey et al., 2008; Steinberg, 2013).

Examples of Impulsivity

Impulsivity can show up in different ways, such as:

  • Blurting out answers in class before the teacher finishes the question.
  • Interrupting conversations without waiting for your turn to speak.
  • Taking risks, like skipping homework to play video games or trying something dangerous without thinking about safety.
  • Spending money quickly on things you don’t need instead of saving for something important.

Positive and Negative Sides of Impulsivity

Impulsivity isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, being spontaneous can lead to exciting experiences, like trying a new hobby or making a new friend. However, when impulsivity leads to poor choices or harmful consequences, it becomes a problem.

For instance, acting on an impulse might result in:

  • Getting into arguments because you said something without thinking.
  • Losing trust with friends or family because of reckless decisions.
  • Struggling with schoolwork due to procrastination or distractions.

How to Manage Impulsivity

The good news is that you can learn to manage impulsivity with practice and support. Here are some strategies:

  1. Pause Before Acting: When you feel the urge to act quickly, count to ten or take a deep breath. This gives your brain time to catch up and think.
  2. Set Goals: Having clear goals can help you focus and avoid impulsive decisions that might derail your plans.
  3. Practice Self-Reflection: After making a decision, reflect on what went well and what you could improve next time.
  4. Ask for Help: Talk to a trusted adult, teacher, or counselor if impulsivity is causing problems in your life.

When to Seek Support

If impulsivity is making it hard for you to succeed in school, maintain friendships, or stay safe, it’s important to reach out for help. Conditions like ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) are often linked with impulsivity, and professionals can offer tools and treatments to help manage it (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Barkley, 2015).

Conclusion

Impulsivity is a natural part of being a teenager, but it doesn’t have to control your life. By understanding why it happens and using strategies to manage it, you can make smarter decisions and take control of your actions. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help when you need it—your future self will thank you.

This article has been written by John S. Collier, MSW, LCSW. Mr. Collier has over 25 years of experience in the Social Work field. He currently serves as the Executive Director and Outpatient Behavioral Health Therapist at Southeast Kentucky Behavioral Health, LLC based out of London Kentucky. Me may be reached at (606) 657-0532 Ext 101 or by email [email protected].

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (4th ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Casey, B. J., Jones, R. M., & Hare, T. A. (2008). The adolescent brain. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1124(1), 111–126. https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1440.010

Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 135–168. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143750

Steinberg, L. (2013). The influence of neuroscience on US Supreme Court decisions about adolescents’ criminal culpability. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 14(7), 513–518. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3509

Tamm, L., & Nakonezny, P. A. (2020). Executive function and impulsivity in adolescent decision making. Journal of Adolescence, 80, 64–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.02.003