Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event. Understanding the link between PTSD and the brain is imperative for those experiencing addiction and other challenges related to the disorder.
The Ranch is a fully accredited mental health treatment center that supports clients who are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. Our residential PTSD treatment program is available to help those who are looking for a better way to manage their symptoms.
Post-traumatic stress disorder affects millions of people every day. Those with PTSD have experienced or been exposed to a traumatic event that caused emotional, and potentially physical, harm. A traumatic event can include:
To understand how PTSD and the brain work, we need to look at how it affects different parts of the brain.
This section of the brain is responsible for threat detection and triggering your body’s fight-or-flight response. For those with PTSD, the amygdala becomes overstimulated. It constantly sends out signals that danger is present, even if there is no perceived threat. This can lead to hypervigilance, anxiety, and a strong emotional reaction to personal triggers.
The hippocampus is the part of the brain that helps differentiate between past and present threats. PTSD can cause this section to shrink, leading to chronic stress and making it harder to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s imaginary. The hippocampus causes those with PTSD to relive the traumatic event as if it is happening all over again.
The next section of the brain that is affected by PTSD is the prefrontal cortex. This section is responsible for regulating emotions and rationalizing threats. For those with PTSD, the prefrontal cortex is used less than for someone without a traumatic past. This means it is harder for them to control their emotions and they may overreact to common everyday occurrences.
Together, the way that PTSD and the brain work can lead to different symptoms, which include hyperarousal, intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, avoidance, and changes in the way they behave and think.
It is very common for people not to realize how damaging trauma is, and that can lead to developing other disorders, such as depression and substance abuse.
Here are the long-term effects of PTSD:
If you have PTSD, you are at an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, borderline personality disorder, and substance use disorders. The safest way to counteract these and other symptoms is to enroll in a post-traumatic stress disorder treatment program.
Recovery Ranch TN welcomes Tennessee residents who have experienced a traumatic past and are struggling with PTSD. Our team will evaluate you to uncover the root cause of the disorder and help you process the trauma through behavioral and holistic therapy. If you are experiencing painful withdrawals or other physical symptoms, medication is used to treat disruptive symptoms and allow for true healing to begin.
Reach out to our team today by calling us888.486.3821 or using our online form to send us a message to schedule a consultation.
If you’re ready to talk, we’re here. The Ranch offers a place to settle, breathe, and begin again. Reach out today and start your recovery in a setting built for healing.
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