Trauma and Chronic Stress

Trauma can affect how one feel's about self and how one relates to others. individuals who experienced trauma (abuse) have a higher risk of developing a mental health condition such as...

1. Depression

2. Anxiety or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

1. Common symptoms are...
2. a. Vivid flashbacks as if trauma is happening now
3. b. Intrusive thoughts
4. c. Nightmares
5. d. Intense distress
6. e. Physical sensations such as sweating , nausea, trembling
7. 
   

3. Eating disorder

4. Abuse of Drugs or Alcohol

5. Suicidal thoughts or committing suicide.

Psychological trauma is a response to an event that a person finds highly stressful. Examples include being in a warzone, a natural disaster, or an accident. Trauma can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. Not everyone who experiences a stressful event will develop trauma.

Emotional Trauma symptoms: anxiety and panic attacks, fear, anger, irritability, OCD, shock and disbelief, emotional numbing and detachment, shame and guilt. Trauma is subjective but common examples that may trigger a disorder include abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, losing a loved one, or being in a natural disaster.

The 3 types of trauma are acute, chronic and complex.

The 4 trauma responses are Fight, Flight, Freeze and Appease. These are well-known trauma responses where the brain and body automatically respond by fighting back or fleeing a dangerous situation.

Trauma impacts the brain by remaining in a state of hypervigilance, suppressing memory and impulse control and trapping an individual in a constant state of strong emotional reactivity. The energy of trauma is stored in our bodies tissues which typically leads to pain and progressively erode body health.

The limbic system is a group of interconnected structures located deep within the brain which controls emotions. It's part of the brain that's responsible for behavioural and emotional responses.

The amygdala which is a part of the limbic system appears key in modulating fear and anxiety. Clients with anxiety disorder often show heightened amygdala response to anxiety cues. Symptoms of amygdala hijack can be eased by consciously activating the frontal cortex, the rational logical part of the brain. For this, the first step is to acknowledge that an individual feels threatened or stressed activating fight/flight mode. The central nucleus of the amygdala is most strongly modulated by dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin.

The good news is that psychological interventions are effective in preventing any long term effects. And some proven ways to quieten Amygdala and increase positive emotions are

1. Regular mindfulness meditation

2. Deep belly breathing which calms down the amygdala

3. Chanting

4. Fish which is most beneficial for memory/hippocampus

5. Soothing music, prayer, yoga and exercise.