07/23/2025
Trauma doesn’t just leave emotional scars—it rewires the brain’s architecture in ways that shape how we think, feel, and respond to the world. Here’s a breakdown of how trauma impacts key brain regions:
Amygdala: The Fear Alarm
• Becomes hyperactive after trauma, constantly scanning for danger.
• Triggers intense emotional reactions and keeps the body in fight-or-flight mode.
• Can’t always distinguish between past and present threats, leading to overreactions.
Hippocampus: Memory and Context
• Shrinks in size and function after trauma, especially in PTSD.
• Struggles to differentiate past from present, so traumatic memories feel “current.”
• This contributes to flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.
Prefrontal Cortex: Rational Thinking
• Activity decreases, making it harder to regulate emotions and assess risk logically.
• When the amygdala hijacks the brain, the prefrontal cortex can’t step in to say, “You’re safe now.”
HPA Axis: The Stress Response System
• Trauma keeps this system stuck in overdrive, flooding the body with cortisol and adrenaline.
• Chronic activation leads to anxiety, sleep issues, and even physical health problems.
The Good News: Neuroplasticity
• The brain can rewire itself through therapy, mindfulness, and repeated safe experiences.
• Modalities like EMDR, somatic therapy, and trauma-focused CBT help reconnect fragmented networks and restore emotional regulation.
