Lesson 2: How Trauma Affects the Brain and Behavior
- Brain Structure and Function:
- Amygdala: The amygdala, which is responsible for detecting threats and activating the body’s stress response, can become overactive in individuals who have experienced trauma. This heightened state of alertness can lead to anxiety and hypervigilance.
- Hippocampus: The hippocampus, which plays a crucial role in forming new memories and connecting emotions to those memories, can shrink due to chronic stress and trauma. This can lead to difficulties in learning and memory, as well as increased susceptibility to depression.
- Prefrontal Cortex: This part of the brain is involved in executive functions like decision-making, self-regulation, and impulse control. Trauma can impair the development and functioning of the prefrontal cortex, leading to issues with concentration, decision-making, and controlling emotional responses.
- Neurochemical Imbalances: Trauma can cause imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for mood regulation and feeling of well-being. An excess of stress hormones like cortisol can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
- Developmental Impact: For children and adolescents, trauma can disrupt normal brain development. This can lead to developmental delays, difficulties with attachment, and problems with social and emotional regulation.