Retraining the Brain

The Brain after Trauma: Reaction and Recovery

One's life is a collection of experiences. These events and relative emotions can impart changes in one's brain. For instance, the impact of a profoundly negative experience, such as trauma or abuse, can affect a multitude of areas in the brain. Thus, the healing process is often complicated and challenging. However, methods of "retraining the brain" can help overturn and alleviate traumatic effects.

According to Whole Wellness Therapy, a 2006 study revealed that trauma greatly affects:

- The Amygdala: Emotion & Instinct. When one is reminded of trauma, perhaps from emotional triggers, the brain reacts as if experiencing the trauma again.

- The Prefrontal Cortex: Emotions & Impulses. When one enters this reactive state, the prefrontal cortex is repressed. As a result, fear escalates and is hard to control.

- The Hippocampus: Memory. Usually, this area of the brain differentiates between past and present. Yet, when traumatic memories arise, function subsides, and the memories feel like present, active threats.

Overall, this reactive state is called Hypervigilance.

This state is not irreversible. Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change and adapt, allows for flexibility. Life experiences impact and modify the brain, as previously mentioned. However, the brain can also rewire to heal from those effects. Neuroplasticity is influential in both reaction and recovery.

During retraining, the brain establishes new connections to regain control and reverse traumatic damage.

One method of retraining the brain is through Prolonged Exposure therapy. According to the Critical Practice Guideline for PTSD, "Most people want to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma they experienced, but doing so reinforces their fear. By facing what has been avoided, a person can decrease symptoms of PTSD by actively learning that the trauma-related memories and cues are not dangerous." Therefore, prolonged exposure allows one to confront their trauma and control their reactive response.

Prolonged Exposure is usually administered in 8-15 sessions of 60-120 minutes. Often, before and throughout exposure, anxiety-management education and personal therapeutic insight are provided. A safe space for exposure is also necessary.

Finally, there are two types of exposure, with pace decided by the patient.

- Imaginal: The patient is guided in describing the trauma in present tense. Discussion and emotional processing occurs. Descriptions are recorded, allowing the patient to replay the discussion and personally process. Meanwhile, patients practice mindful breathing.

- In Vivo: The patient confronts their trauma away from therapy. The patient and therapist identify potential stimuli or triggers that evoke traumatic fear (ex. environments, people, sounds, smells). Certain triggers are selected, and the patient plans to expose themselves to the fear in between sessions. This exposure is done in moderation; the patient must challenge themselves while prioritizing their health and allowing time to process and cope with the emotion attached to the stimuli.

Ultimately, the brain is a biological wonder, with the fascinating ability to rewire itself. Human experiences often require a response; however, with the capability of the brain, one can regain control over their response and achieve true healing.

By Sophia LeBlanc

Image: https://vantagepointrecovery.com/psychological-trauma-affects-brain

Sources: https://www.wholewellnesstherapy.com/post/trauma-and-the-brain#:~:text=During%20the%20healing%20process%2C%20you,work%20how%20it's%20supposed%20to.

https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/prolonged-exposure