The Neurobiology of Trauma

The neurobiology of trauma teaches us that the way our body responds to trauma is automatic. When our autonomic nervous system or “threat response” is activated, the brain and body automatically respond by fighting back, freezing, fleeing or appeasing when we are experiencing an abusive or dangerous situation.

​

In trauma survivorship, the threat response can be activated by “triggers” or “perceived threats.” Sometimes trauma survivors are not even aware this is going on. Victims/survivors who experience a freeze or appease are often confused as to why they responded in that way. The neurobiology of trauma informs us that all of these responses are normal and part of our brain’s and body’s survival mechanisms. The freeze response refers to not being able to fight or flee.  The appease response refers to accommodation, where the person’s brain and body respond by going along with the violence or initiating interactions, this is a way to minimize further violence. Survivors of trauma or abuse can be impacted by their responses and the confusion about their responses sometimes leads to shame and self-blame. Shame and self-blame mean the trauma continues to affect you until it has been understood and resolved. 

​

Symptoms of trauma include anxiety, fear, depression, physical pain, chronic pain, flashbacks, intrusive and distressing memories of the event or events, difficulty concentrating, self-blame, guilt, shame, dissociation, avoidance, or emotional numbing. People may respond to trauma by :

·      Trying to repress or forget the event by distracting with other activities. 

·      Focusing on the traumatic event constantly.

·      Losing the ability to feel pleasure, leading to a lack of motivation to do much of anything.

·      Feeling a sense of emotional numbness.

·      Experience emotional oversensitivity.

​

I have the training to guide you through a therapeutic process, embrace your resilience and unleash the effects of trauma in your life.

In trauma-informed interventions, we focus on processing, bringing completion and integrating the memories of trauma, so the past events no longer have power over you.