The Effect of PTSD on the Brain

~ Written by Divya Prashant

What is PTSD?

PTSD, also known as post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric disorder that is caused by experiencing a traumatic event, for example, sexual assault, natural disaster, abuse, etc. This, in turn, alters behavior and brain structure.

The difference between the normal response to a traumatic event and PTSD is extremely diverse. A normal response would trigger your fight-or-flight response. This would include faster heartbeat, higher blood pressure, and/or tightening of muscle, hence increasing your strength and reaction speed. However, after the danger, the nervous system goes back to normal. It is comprehensible for one to go through these things as their sense of security and assurance has been broken. Their symptoms are more likely to be short-lived.

In the case of PTSD, when one experiences too much stress, their nervous system cannot cope. Hence, they are unable to come out of the trauma and shock caused by the intense experience. The symptoms tend to last for a long time hence taking a longer period of time to recover.

Symptoms of PTSD include:

· Intrusive thoughts like flashbacks

· Numbing/ suppressing familiar emotions of the traumatic event

· Mood swings

· Bad dreams

· Random anger outbursts, etc.

· Dissociation

· Emotional response to harmless stimuli

Effect of trauma on the hippocampus -

The hippocampus is located deep in the temporal lobe and plays a role in memory function by differentiating between past and present memories. Therefore, damage to the hippocampus could occur due to a stimulus. In this case, an environmental stimulus. PTSD arises from trauma which results in a decline in the volume of the hippocampus. The individual then loses the ability to distinguish between past and present experiences thereby over-analyzing environmental situations. When a PTSD patient encounters an environment similar to their trauma, their hippocampus triggers an extreme stress response as it is unable to reduce the intervention of past memories.

Effect of trauma on the ventromedial prefrontal cortex -

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), located in the frontal lobe and part of the neural system, is responsible for controlling the emotional response normally stimulated by the amygdala. When faced with stimuli specific to patients' trauma, the vmPFC modulates unwanted emotions (e.g.: fear, anger, jealousy, etc.) when encountered by a stimulus. There is a decrease in the volume of vmPFC and hence, the irregularity of the region. Due to this the stress response is activated even if the stimuli are unrelated to the trauma.

Effect of trauma on the amygdala -

Amygdala is an almond-shaped structure situated in the temporal lobe. Its role is to understand an emotional response and fear recognition. Due to the trauma, there is an increase in the activity of the amygdala. When PTSD patients are presented with a picture (unrelated to their trauma), they depict anxiety, panic, and hyperactivation in the amygdala. Hence higher the hyperactivity, the higher the PTSD symptoms (positive correlation).

Relations -

The hippocampus, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and amygdala are all connected. The hippocampus recognizes environmental stimuli and triggers an appropriate response, vmPFC regulating emotional response by controlling the amygdala. Therefore, when the 2 main systems are unable to function normally, the amygdala goes haywire, perceiving everything as a threat.

Recovery process –

PTSD is indeed reversible. The brain can return back to its original form through the process of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Dr. Szabolcs Kéri, a psychologist, conducted a study to investigate the effect of CBT on both the symptoms and biological aspects of the brain. "The results show that structural changes in the brain, such as the shrinkage of the hippocampus, are reversible in trauma victims. Talk therapy may help normalize these alterations and improve symptoms," explained Kéri. Hence providing the reversible aspect of PTSD

In conclusion, PTSD is a severe disorder applicable to anyone. One is not born with PTSD but diagnosed with it after encountering a traumatic experience. Even though the disorder causes a great deal of damage, seeking early recovery aids in a faster recovery process.

References :

• https://brainblogger.com/2015/01/24/how-does-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-change-the-brain/
• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131203091459.htm
• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/ptsd-symptoms-self-help-treatment.htm