The Impact Of Trauma On Brain Health

Brain chemicals, also known as neurotransmitters, influence mood and overall health. These chemicals transmit signals between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Any dysregulation of neurotransmitters can affect mood, emotions and overall well-being. They either stimulate brain activity or have a calming effect.

• Serotonin regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and social behavior. Low levels are associated with depression, anxiety disorders and certain eating disorders.
• Dopamine is associated with reward, pleasure, motivation, and movement. It plays a role in regulating mood and focus. Imbalances in dopamine levels cause depression, bipolar disorder and addiction.  
• Norepinephrine is associated with vigilance, attention, and arousal. It helps regulate mood and is implicated in conditions like depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  
• GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps regulate brain activity, reduces anxiety and calms the nervous system. Low levels of GABA cause anxiety disorders and epilepsy.  
• Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. Excessive levels of glutamate cause damage to neurons and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Balancing glutamate activity is crucial for maintaining healthy brain function. 

• The hippocampus, a brain region crucial for learning and memory, can be affected by trauma, which results in difficulties with memory consolidation, retrieval, and the ability to form new memories effectively.  
• The amygdala, involved in processing emotions and fear responses, can become hyperactive in response to trauma. This emotional dysregulation can interfere with attention, concentration, and the ability to focus on learning tasks.  
• The prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive functions such as decision-making, problem-solving, and impulse control, can be adversely affected by trauma leading to difficulties with attention, working memory, planning, and organization, which can impact learning and academic performance.  
• Trauma can dysregulate the body's stress response system, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Prolonged activation of the stress response system can impair attention, memory, and learning abilities. 

Healing from trauma is a deeply personal and individualized process that can take time and patience. Some tips that can help you are:

• Reach out to friends and family, and talk, as communication is an important part of recovery.
• Seek therapy, even if you think you can handle it. Sadness, fear, grief, and depression can interfere with your daily life and cripple you.
• Join a support group that can give you tips on how to deal with what’s happening.
• Facing your feelings is crucial as acceptance keeps you in the present and helps to move forward in life.
• One of the most effective ways to handle the aftereffects of a traumatic event is exercise. You can also practice relaxation techniques too.
• Eat healthy meals, rest, and do things that make you happy. Do anything and everything that involves self-care to reinforce that you are important.
• Don’t turn to alcohol or drugs to forget things. It is not going to help! Also ruins your physical and mental health.
• Re-establish a sense of normalcy and regain control over your life by setting up a routine.
• Music for brain health- music therapy, making music or just listening can bring a huge change in your life. Meditating while hearing a favorite song can help, too. 

Trauma can invoke a lot of changes in the body. Emotional trauma can be recognized by arousal symptoms such as:

• Being easily startled or frightened
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Always being on guard for danger
• Obsessions and compulsions
• Self-destructive behavior, suicidal thoughts
• Trouble sleeping/ wide awake trying to sleep
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability or aggressive behavior
• Overwhelming guilt or shame