The Impact Of Trauma On The Brain

Trauma can be a tough experience for anyone, but for LGBTQ+ individuals, it can be especially painful. Many LGBTQ+ people have faced rejection, harassment, or even violence just because of who they are. These experiences have left deep scars that affect not just their emotions, but also their brains. When individuals go through something traumatic, their brain’s primary goal is to keep them safe. It’s like the brain goes into crisis mode, trying to protect them from harm. But sometimes, this response can get stuck, making it hard for them to feel safe or relaxed even when they’re not in danger. This can have a profound effect on their daily lives, relationships, and overall well-being.

How Trauma Affects The Brain

During a traumatic event, many individuals feel intense fear. Fear can trigger the stress response, also known as the “fight-or-flight” response. When the body activates the stress response, survival becomes the primary goal. After the threat has passed, the body can calm down again and resume typical functioning. Unfortunately, in some cases, the stress response doesn’t get switched off following a traumatic event, or it malfunctions in such a way that the person continues to feel threatened or afraid.

Often, symptoms start to appear several months after the traumatic event. In some cases, a person with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) might not develop signs and symptoms until years later. The symptoms may last for longer than one month and may need to be severe enough to interfere with daily life to qualify as PTSD.

What Parts Of The Brain Are Affected By Trauma?

The symptoms associated with trauma, such as reliving the event or avoiding situations that the person associates with the traumatic situation, usually link to responses in specific brain areas. Let’s see what regions of the brain are affected by trauma.

• Amygdala
  The amygdala is responsible for the fight-or-flight response, and it is this response that is most affected by trauma. When an individual experiences a traumatic event, the amygdala is activated and causes the individual to feel fear and anxiety. This can result in flashbacks, nightmares, and panic attacks. The amygdala may also be hyperactivated in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This means that they may startle easily, have difficulty sleeping, and be constantly on guard.
• Hippocampus
  When a person experiences a traumatic event, the hippocampus is one of the areas of the brain that is often affected. The hippocampus is responsible for emotion regulation, memory, and stress response. An individual with a traumatic past may continue to experience flashbacks or nightmares of the event they went through, which could indicate that the hippocampus may have been affected and is not functioning properly.
• Prefrontal Cortex
  Trauma can have a lasting impact on the brain. The prefrontal cortex is another well-known area of the brain that is affected by trauma. This area of the brain is responsible for executive functioning, which includes planning, decision-making, and regulating emotions. Trauma can cause damage to the prefrontal cortex, which can result in struggles with executive functioning. This can manifest in various ways, such as difficulty making decisions, impulsive behavior, and emotional outbursts. In severe cases, damage to the prefrontal cortex can lead to psychosis.

The Long-Term Effects Of Trauma On The Brain

Changes to the brain resulting from trauma can alter a person’s behavior or personality. Some of the long-term effects of trauma on the brain include the following.

• Struggling With Recall
  When a traumatic event affects memory, the individual can have trouble recalling events or might remember them inaccurately. Memory distortion can make the person’s experience seem worse to them than it was. Struggling with recalls can also cause the person to have dissociative flashbacks.
• Being On High Alert
  A person might constantly feel on edge as if they can never relax. This heightened state of alertness can result in sleep disturbances, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night. They may also find themselves easily startled by everyday sounds or movements, which can be both exhausting and distressing. This perpetual state of high alert can interfere with their ability to engage in daily activities, maintain relationships, and enjoy life. It’s as if their body and mind are always prepared for a threat, even when there isn’t one.
• Engaging In High-risk Activities
  Someone who was previously responsible and cautious might start taking risks such as sleeping with strangers or going for high-speed joyrides. They might also engage in impulsive actions, such as high-stakes gambling.
• Developing A Substance Use Disorder
  Some studies have shown that there seems to be a strong link between substance use disorder and trauma. This connection may stem from the temporary relief that substances like alcohol provide, helping to numb the emotional and physical pain associated with trauma. For some people, this can result in a cycle of dependency, where the use of substances becomes a coping mechanism to manage the intense feelings and memories related to their traumatic experiences. Over time, this can develop into a full-blown substance use disorder, further complicating the individual’s mental health and making recovery even more difficult.

How The Brain Heals After Trauma

The brain’s plasticity allows it to heal itself after a traumatic event, but in many cases, this process takes time and patience. Fortunately, clinically proven treatment methods are available. One therapeutic approach is psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. Talk therapy takes multiple forms, including cognitive behavioral therapy.

During CBT, the individual learns coping skills that help them manage stress levels. The therapy also changes their response to stimuli. For example, if a memory triggers a specific reaction, CBT can alter the associations with that memory, reducing its traumatic effect on the individual.

Another form of talk therapy is group therapy. During group therapy sessions, the person has a chance to heal by connecting and communicating with others who might have a similar experience or who are also going through some past traumatic experience.

Along with talk therapy, some people also benefit from medication. Medically managed antidepressants and other prescription drugs can reduce PTSD symptoms. When used in conjunction with talk therapy, medication can help promote healing.

Coping Strategies For Trauma 

Personal coping strategies are also important in the trauma-healing journey. Effective coping will give the individual the tools to regulate emotions, manage triggers, and build resilience. Here are just a few strategies that can assist the individual in the trauma-healing journey 

• Self-Care And Emotional Well-Being
  Engaging in self-care practices is important for healing from trauma. Self-care refers to engaging in healthy activities that bring joy, such as leisure time in nature, practicing hobbies, or engaging in creative outlets. Taking care of a person’s emotional well-being by journaling, expressing their emotions, or cuddling with a beloved pet are all examples of self-care activities that offer comfort, and stability, and will ultimately help you maintain a regulated nervous system and the brain.
• Practice Mindfulness
  Practicing mindfulness means being aware of a person’s thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindfulness can help an individual increase their ability to be self-aware. When a person increases their self-awareness, they are in greater control of their emotional responses. This helps reduce impulsivity and reactivity. There are many opportunities to practice mindfulness throughout the day. Some techniques include mindful eating, mindful listening, and mindful walking. Any practice that works by slowing down the thoughts of an individual and bringing attention to their physical sensations can help create a sense of calm within and help maintain a regulated nervous system.
• Building Healthy Relationships
  Nurturing healthy relationships can play an important role in trauma healing. Building connections with supportive and understanding individuals who validate their experiences creates a sense of belonging and helps rebuild trust. Seeking out support groups can provide a safe, compassionate community where the person can share their journey and learn from others who have experienced similar struggles.

Get Help Today

Identifying the core source of trauma is often essential for getting on the path toward healing. However, understanding trauma and the brain is only the first step to recovery. Inspire Recovery offers trauma therapy and dual-diagnosis treatment programs for LGBTQ+ people with co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD and substance use disorder. Our program will help you or your LGBTQ+ loved one heal from trauma while you work to overcome substance addiction. Contact us at 561-763-9837 today to start your journey to recovery through our trauma therapy program.