Trauma And The Body - Macomber
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TRAUMA AND THE BODY: EFFECTS OF TRAUMA
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Trauma And The Body: Effects Of Trauma
Sydni Macomber
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University
BHS-440 Understanding Trauma
Lyndz Simpson-Reblin
March 31, 2024
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Trauma And The Body: Effects Of Trauma
Trauma’s Effect on the Body
Childhood trauma experiences are associated with long-term health consequences. Psychological or physical abuse children resulted in a noticeably greater degradation in their health over a decade long observational period. Recent reviews have consistently linked childhood trauma to poor adult health outcomes, including pain, unexplained physical symptoms,
stress-related illnesses, and immune system-suppressive illnesses. Childhood trauma also has a negative impact on cardiovascular health. (
Mock & Arai, 2011). These physical ailments include,
but are not limited to, depression, kidney disease, coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and more. According to the CDC, treating traumatic childhood experiences could have a preventative effect and lessen the negative effects of childhood. A further indication that experiencing childhood trauma is harmful to one's physical health in addition to mental and emotional well-being is the occurrence of physical ailments as a result of the trauma (Monfared, J., n.d.).
Trauma’s Effect on the Brain
Trauma results in acute and chronic changes to specific brain regions and neurochemical systems, as well as long-term modifications to the brain circuits that control the stress response. The prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala are among the brain regions connected to the stress response. These brain regions may undergo long-lasting alterations as a result of traumatic stress. Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibit decreased medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate function, smaller hippocampal and anterior cingulate volumes, and increased amygdala function. Specific symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
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include intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, nightmares, flashbacks, sleep disturbances, altered concentration and memory, and startle reactions. The behavioral manifestation of stress-induced structural and functional changes in the brain is thought to be responsible for PTSD symptoms. (
Bremner J. D., 2006). PTSD does not discriminate amongst long-term and short-term trauma. This can be triggered by one traumatic event such as being a victim of a crime, or long term such
as a soldier's years at war.
Mind-Body Connection
The exchange of information between the brain and the body through the spinal cord and chemical and electrical messengers is known as the mind-body connection. When the body and mind function properly, messages are continuously sent back and forth via a convoluted network of nerves, the brain, and the spinal cord. The relationship is reciprocal in that our mental health can be impacted by the way we treat our bodies and physical characteristics. Positive or negative effects can occur between the mind and body, and psychological and social factors can occasionally result in physical illness or symptoms. The nervous system produces endorphins to help it deal with pain and stress. The flight or fight response is one of the most prominent instances of this. Your body will react as though it is under attack when you are stressed or anxious, releasing hormones that will either make you want to stay or leave. Feeling stressed or anxious can cause your heart rate to rise, your body to become tense, and your senses to become more acute. (Relojo-Howell, D., 2021). Sometimes psychological and social factors can result in physical illness or symptoms. This connection is evident is individuals who experience trauma as
their mental ailments as a result of the trauma contribute to their physical ailments that may accompany it, as aforementioned.
Neurochemicals Effected: Cortisol
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When under stress, PTSD patients exhibit higher chemical responses. One chemical response triggered is cortisol. Amid traumatic circumstances, the adrenal gland releases cortisol, which then negatively feedbacks on the pituitary axis and other central brain regions like the hippocampus and hypothalamus. Several of cortisol's effects help people survive. Apart from its function of initiating the HPA axis, it also plays a pivotal role in mediating fear-related behaviors
and initiates additional neurochemical reactions to stress, like the noradrenergic system through the brain stem locus coeruleus. The release of transmitters by noradrenergic neurons is linked to an increase in alertness and vigilance behaviors, which are essential for addressing immediate threats (Bremner J. D., 2006).
Trauma’s Effect on Religion: Personal Viewpoint
Trauma is a very personal experience, unique to each individual that experiences it. Spiritual or religious beliefs can be severely altered or enhanced, depending on their relationship with their spirituality or religion before or during their experiences. Beliefs may also fall on a spectrum where there are varying levels of belief. On one end of the spectrum, trauma can instill anger toward religion as one may find themselves questioning why God, or a higher power in which they currently or previously have believed in, would make them endure such events that can inspire lifelong ailments, both mentally and physically. Alternatively, traumatic events may inspire some individuals to turn to God in these times of stress as a form of coping mechanism. They may see it as a testament to their love of God when turning to Him and times of great stress
or traumatic events.
Conclusion
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Trauma has a greater effect on an individual than many realize. Not only is there a mental
component to experiencing traumatic events, such as experiencing PTSD symptoms, but rather there is also a physical effect of experiencing such events. Physical and somatic connection is evident in those who have experienced traumatic events. The connection between the mind and the body is a wonder that has been studied and researchers continue to do so. These experiences can also alter a person's viewpoint in regard to religious or spiritual beliefs, although they are very individualized and unique to each person and how they cope with the stress of such traumatic events.
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Resources
Bremner J. D. (2006). Traumatic stress: effects on the brain. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 8(4), 445–461. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2006.8.4/jbremner
Monfared, J. (n.d.). Childhood trauma and its effect on adulthood - concept professional training.
Concept. https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/business-of-practice-blog/childhood-
trauma Mock, S. E., & Arai, S. M. (2011). Childhood trauma and chronic illness in adulthood: mental health and socioeconomic status as explanatory factors and buffers. Frontiers in psychology, 1, 246. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2010.00246
Relojo-Howell, D. (2022, July 4). Understanding the connection between mind and body. Psychreg. https://www.psychreg.org/connection-mind-body/
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