When we got through a seriously traumatic event, it imprints onto our mind. The memory of that event in itself is stored within our brains and unless we work to heal from it, we cannot overcome it.
You cannot properly heal the traumatized brain without understanding it first which should be the step you’re working to take right now. The way we face our past traumatic experiences defines how we heal from them. If you never try to address them, you will never be able to heal from them.
Psychology Today wrote as follows on how trauma affects the brain:
The PFC, or thinking center, is located near the top of your head, behind your forehead. It’s responsible for abilities including rational thought, problem-solving, personality, planning, empathy, and awareness of ourselves and others. When this area of the brain is strong, we are able to think clearly, make good decisions, and be aware of ourselves and others.
The ACC, or emotion regulation center, is located next to the prefrontal cortex, but is deeper inside the brain. This area is responsible (in part) for regulating emotion, and (ideally) has a close working relationship with the thinking center. When this region is strong, we are able to manage difficult thoughts and emotions without being totally overwhelmed by them. While we might want to send a snarky email to a coworker, the emotion regulation center reminds us that this is not a good idea, and helps us manage our emotions so that we don’t do things we regret.
Finally, the amygdala, a tiny structure deep inside our brain, serves as its fear center. This subcortical area is outside of our conscious awareness or control, and its primary job is to receive all incoming information – everything you see, hear, touch, smell, and taste – and answer one question: “Is this a threat?” If it detects that a dangerous threat is present, it produces fear in us. When this area is activated, we feel afraid, reactive, and vigilant.
You see, inside a traumatized brain we’re not operating as we should be. We’re seeing more activity in our fear center and not enough emotional regulation. This causing us in many ways to be unable to operate as we should be.
When it comes to overcoming your trauma and healing yourself properly you have to be willing to ask yourself questions about your traumatic event. You need to work to find your triggers and better understand what you’re facing. Once you’ve figured out what your triggers are and identified the trauma you can work to get the therapy you need and also to be more mindful and self-soothing.
Healing trauma takes time and you must be patient with yourself. Working to write things out and support yourself properly through this journey is important. The more you understand what you’re going through the more in control you will begin to feel.
For more on this topic check out the video below. Things like this are never cut and dry but in time you will be where you want to be. Trauma might be painful but you will get through it.