How Trauma and PTSD Change the Brain

Max points: 5 Type: Mental Disorder Explainer

This content explains how trauma changes the brain and nervous system, leading to PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, and avoidance. It also highlights how neuroplasticity enables healing through practices like mindfulness, writing, and therapy, offering hope and practical ways to restore balance and resilience.

Channel: Therapy in a Nutshell Duration: 0:10:40

Questions

1. What effect does trauma have on the hippocampus?

It grows larger and more active It strengthens logical decision-making It shrinks due to stress hormones killing cells It stops producing memories completely

2. What is the broader nervous system effect of being stuck in trauma response?

Adrenal fatigue and hyperarousal Improved digestion Heightened problem-solving ability Increased creativity

3. Which practice was shown in MRI studies to help reverse trauma effects by shrinking the amygdala and growing the hippocampus?

Medication Yoga Aerobic exercise Mindfulness

4. Which brain structure becomes more sensitive after trauma, acting like a 'smoke alarm'?

Hippocampus Prefrontal Cortex Amygdala Cerebellum

5. Why does the prefrontal cortex shrink after trauma?

Damage from physical injury Constant reliance on fight-flight-freeze responses Overuse of rational thinking Excessive language processing

Confirm Submission

Are you sure? After submitting, you won’t be able to attempt this content again for 24 hours.

| | |

| | Blog |