Healing from Trauma; our Growth Despite all Odds
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Everyone has a story to tell, growing up I have heard many traumatic incidents my friends and people closest to me have faced. I have witnessed my friends dealing with trauma and continued stress as part of their daily experience. Visibly seeing my friends go from being a confident, socially infectious young woman, to being isolated, avoidant, and hopeless is painful to witness. Today, social media has become a platform for all of us to talk about mental health and hopefully this has become less of a taboo topic to discuss. Additionally, there has been increasing attention by mental health specialists to raise awareness of trauma that lives in our bodies.
Trauma affects our day-to-day life, which manifests in the way we treat ourselves, the people we love, and the choices we make. Since the body holds onto and remembers the trauma, it can feel very overwhelming, frustrating, and hopeless. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD; US Department of Veterans Affairs, 2022) is an ongoing mental health illness that triggers traumatic memories, which are manifested with emotional and/or physical reactions. PTSD often develops when a person goes through a life threatening event, such as war, natural disaster, violence, and/or abuse. Symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, unprovoked memories of trauma, avoidance of situations that may bring memories of trauma, heightened arousal, and anxiety and/or depression.
Fortunately, despite the agonizing pain many of us carry everyday, our bodies are designed to grow and heal. Our brains are constantly forming new neural connections, a concept called neuroplasticity (Puderbaugh and Emmady, 2022). Changes in nervous system activity have been observed in response to stimuli by reorganizing its function or connection after experiencing stress (Puderbaugh and Emmady, 2022). This means even a person who has experienced significant stress and trauma in their life, is able to create new and healthy experiences which can reduce the risk of developing other mental health disorders. New and positive experiences for people who have survived trauma help relax the constantly triggered response of heightened arousal. This healing allows the person to make healthy choices and have healthy relationships.
Neuroplastic healing is maintained by the limbic system that regulates memory and emotions. Specifically, a very important tissue of the limbic system is called the amygdala. This small, yet key structure regulates emotional memory and response, most commonly known and experienced as “fight or flight response” (Ruscio, 2021). This response is helpful when we are in dangerous situations, however ineffective, when triggers are no longer harmful. Over-responsiveness of the nervous system can create a learned response to become overly sensitive to triggers. Neuroplasticity healing rewires neural pathways to respond less to certain triggers and usually involves mind-body healing such as breathing, mindfulness, and therapy. An essential form of psychological treatment called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), has been effective for people with“depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness” (What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 2017). Many research studies provide evidence that CBT has been effective and significant in improving quality of life (What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 2017).
Due to neuroplasticity, there is an abundance of room for growth and healing to allow our minds and bodies another chance to perceive the world. For example, a research study was conducted to identify the relationship between neuroplasticity, CBT, and social anxiety. Conclusions to this research showed that “amygdala neuroplasticity is directly related to improved social anxiety symptoms with CBT” (Månsson et al., 2016). This is why it’s very important for people who have suffered through trauma to have easy access to safe space. This could include but is not limited to mental-health support, healthcare, child-support, domestic violence and sexual assault advocates, access to safe and reliable housing, and many more.
There are many forms of therapy that address trauma; luckily, Portland, where I live, has many resources for people who have experienced trauma, some of which are listed below. Treatments for PTSD include various forms of trauma-focused psychotherapy; medications may also be prescribed to manage symptoms. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT); a form of CBT, Exposure Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have been the most modern therapy in controlling symptoms of PTSD.
Local Agencies:
Agency that helps homeless youth and other marginalized people move towards self-sufficiency and better health.
(503) 445-0973
https://www.healthshareoregon.org/
Non-profit organizations that bring together health plans, providers, and community resources to provide access to care.
https://www.multco.us/behavioral-health/mental-health-services
Mental health services in Multnomah County that include low-cost mental health service for uninsured members.
https://raphaelhouse.com/about-us/
Raphael House of Portland helps survivors find safety, hope, and independence.
(503) 222-6507
National Suicide Hotline: 988
References:
Månsson, K., Salami, A., Frick, A. et al. (2016). Neuroplasticity in response to cognitive behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder. Transl Psychiatry 6, e727 https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2015.218
Puderbaugh, M., Emmady, PD. (May, 2022) Neuroplasticity. National Library of Medicine. From: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557811/
PTSD: National Center for PTSD. (November, 2022). U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. From: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/ptsd_basics.asp
Ruscio, M. (July, 2021). How to Boost Your Brain Through Neuroplasticity Healing. Dr. Michael Ruscio, DNM, DC. From: https://drruscio.com/neuroplasticity-healing/
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? (July, 2017). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. From https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral
Maham is a recent Portland State University alumni, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Public Health and minor in Anthropology. She is an activist and feminist, standing up for women’s rights and increasing awareness of domestic violence. As a woman and person of color, her life work is dedicated to creating mental health awareness and increasing diversity in healthcare areas. In her downtime, Maham is often painting or getting food with her friends.
