Understanding Trauma: The Brain-Body Connection

The research that’s gone into trauma and experiencing traumatic events has grown through leaps and bounds over the past three decades. What once was limited in research has now become accepted as fact: trauma can produce physical ailments as well as mental ones.

When left unaddressed, trauma can affect how we think, feel, and function, making the brain-body connection central to both understanding and healing. So, what do we know about how the brain and the body respond to trauma?

Trauma: The Brain and the Body Response

Trauma is defined as the emotional and psychological response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. Events such as accidents, being present during a natural disaster, or being sent to a warzone as a service member can be traumatic. But how do the brain and body respond to trauma?

The Body

Trauma also takes a toll on the body through the nervous system’s fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. Even long after the event, the body may act as though danger is still present, leaving you feeling stuck in a response mechanism. This can cause chronic tension, fatigue, digestive issues, or pain. Elevated stress hormones, like cortisol, can remain imbalanced, disrupting sleep and overall health.

The Brain

When someone experiences trauma, the brain shifts into survival mode. The amygdala, which detects danger, can become overactive, leaving a person hypervigilant or easily startled. The hippocampus, responsible for memory, may struggle to place events in context, leading to flashbacks or disjointed memories. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex, which governs reasoning and decision-making, can go offline.

How Can You Fix Yourself?

Trauma can be a thief in your life. Don’t let it steal another precious second of peace. Oregon Family Trauma Center is here to help. As licensed and trained therapists, we deeply understand the effects of trauma on the mind and body. Let us get you healthy and in a place before trauma robbed you of joy. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.