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.
Understanding the Effects of PTSD and the Brain
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:
- A serious car accident
- Experiencing wartime
- A natural disaster
- Sexual assault
- Domestic abuse
- In-person and online bullying (cyberbullying)
To understand how PTSD and the brain work, we need to look at how it affects different parts of the brain.
The Amygdala: The Fear Center
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: Memory and Context Processing
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 is responsible for those with PTSD to relive the traumatic event as if it is happening all over again.
The Prefrontal Cortex: The Rational Thinker
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.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of PTSD?
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:
- Physical symptoms – Chronic pain and inflammation, heart disease, high blood pressure, weakened immune system, insomnia, and nightmares
- Emotional/psychological symptoms – Chronic anxiety and depression, emotional numbness, anger and irritability, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and substance abuse
- Cognitive symptoms – Difficulty remembering details and concentrating for long periods, intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, and an overreaction to fear
- Social and relationship symptoms – Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships, social withdrawal, problems keeping up at work, school, and personal responsibilities
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.
Join Our Residential PTSD Treatment Today for a Positive Change
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 1.844.876.7680 or using our online form to send us a message to schedule a consultation.
