How Trauma Impacts the Brain and Body
How Trauma Impacts the Brain and Body
Trauma is a word that describes the severe distress, harm, or suffering that happens after someone experiences overwhelming physical, mental, or emotional pain.
Survivors of domestic violence and other forms of abuse like human trafficking and sexual assault are included in the category of trauma survivors.
Survivors of abuse need time to feel safe again, even after the danger is gone. Every person must follow their own path toward healing, and it will likely look different for each person. It’s important for survivors to be patient with themselves and give themselves grace and forgiveness throughout the healing process.
Experiencing trauma, like domestic abuse can have both short-term and long-term effects on the body. Headaches, joint pain, difficulty sleeping, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular issues can be common.
Trauma also impacts the way the brain processes information and emotions. After trauma, the lower areas of the brain called the amygdala and the hippocampus become hyperactive. This is a primal survival response which evolved to keep humans safe in dangerous situations.
However, this activity also overrides the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain that controls decision making, short-term and long-term planning, and manages our emotional responses. This can keep a person stuck in survival mode, even after the danger has passed. Memories can also be stored in the wrong place, keeping difficult memories alive.
Some, but not all, survivors of abuse may develop a specific set of symptoms called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). According to the National Institute for Mental Health, people with PTSD relive the traumatic event, avoid situations that remind them of the past, and may have negative thoughts about themselves or the world. They may also feel very anxious, always be on the lookout for danger, have trouble sleeping, or frequently become angry or irritable.
When someone receives trauma-informed care, they receive care for both their emotional and physical well-being and be encouraged to reflect on the question, “Who do you want to be?” Survivors should be given the chance to rebuild the connections and trust that were fractured by abuse and betrayal.
Someone who has experienced trauma needs the space to make their own decisions.
The following are some principles of trauma-informed care:
Awareness of the effects of trauma on survivors.
Safety for survivors on a physical and emotional level.
Trustworthiness in processes and relationships.
Empowerment in decision-making processes.
Through trauma-informed care, all experiences and needs are valued, including those of caregivers. A survivor’s network of relationships between service providers, organizations, friends and family, and the community is key to healing from trauma.
Adapted from NNEDV.org and nicamb.com