How trauma changes the brain 2
The science behind PTSD symptoms

After trauma your brain goes through biological changes.

The impact of these changes are heightened by three major brain function dysregulations:

Over-stimulated amygdala: The amygdala is responsible for survival related threat identification, plus tagging memories with emotion. After trauma the amygdala can get caught up in a highly alert and activated loop during which it looks for and perceives threat everywhere.

Underactive hippocampus: An increase in the stress hormone glucocorticoid kills cells in the hippocampus, which renders it less effective in making synaptic connections necessary for memory consolidation. This Interruption keeps both the body and the mind stimulated in reactive mode as neither element receives the message that the threat has transformed into the past tensse.

Ineffective variability: The constant elevation of stress hormones interferes with the body’s ability to regulate itself. The sympathetic nervous system remains highly activated leading to fatigue of the body and many of its systems.