Trauma can have lasting effects on an individual's arousal patterns. Trauma is any distressing experience that affects someone mentally, physically, or emotionally. It can include physical injuries, emotional abuse, witnessing violence, natural disasters, war, terrorist attacks, accidents, and more. When someone experiences trauma, their brain releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline to prepare them for action. This preparation can cause an increase in heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
These changes may persist after the threat has passed and interfere with daily life.
Someone who was injured in a car accident may always feel tense when driving or be hypervigilant around cars. Someone who experienced domestic violence may become easily startled by sudden movements or loud noises. These reactions are part of what psychologists call 'post-traumatic stress disorder', which occurs when a person has recurring memories, nightmares, or flashbacks about the event.
Arousal patterns
The nervous system has two divisions, sympathetic and parasympathetic. The sympathetic division increases heart rate and respiration while decreasing digestion and immune function. The parasympathetic division does the opposite, slowing down these functions. In general, most people experience a balance between these systems in their day-to-day lives.
Trauma can tip this balance towards the sympathetic nervous system, leading to long-term effects on arousal patterns.
Physiological effects of trauma
When someone experiences trauma, their body is flooded with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are meant to help fight off danger by increasing energy levels and sharpening focus. But if they remain elevated over time, it can lead to physical symptoms such as high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety. This can also cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.
Cognitive effects of trauma
Trauma can affect how someone thinks and remembers things. They may have trouble processing information, making decisions, or remembering details about the event. They may feel numb, detached, or dissociate from reality. They may also struggle with intrusive thoughts about the event or avoidance behaviors that prevent them from confronting it. All of these can impact daily life and relationships.
Emotional effects of trauma
Trauma can change how someone feels emotionally. They may experience intense feelings of fear, anger, sadness, guilt, or shame. They may become easily triggered by sights, sounds, smells, or sensations related to the event. They may have difficulty trusting others or feeling safe. Some people may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which includes nightmares, flashbacks, and a general sense of being 'on edge'. PTSD can interfere with work, school, social life, and other activities.
Behavioral effects of trauma
Trauma can lead to changes in behavior patterns too. People who experience trauma may engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms like drinking alcohol or drugs, self-harming, or risky sexual behavior. They may withdraw from friends and family or have difficulty expressing their emotions. They may struggle with trust, communication, intimacy, and boundaries. These behaviors can further isolate them and make it difficult to heal.
Treatment options for arousal pattern reshaping
There are several treatment options available for those struggling with arousal pattern shifts after trauma. One popular method is cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps individuals identify harmful thinking and behavior patterns and replace them with healthier ones. Exposure therapy involves gradually confronting triggers and memories of the traumatic event under supervision, helping desensitize the individual over time. Medication such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication may also be prescribed to regulate mood and relieve symptoms. Support groups, therapies such as EMDR, art therapy, and mindfulness practices can help someone cope with trauma's long-term effects on their body, mind, and behavior.
Trauma can cause lasting changes in an individual's arousal patterns that affect many aspects of daily life. It is important to seek professional help if these problems persist beyond a few weeks so they don't interfere with work, school, relationships, or other activities. With proper treatment, however, individuals can learn new ways to manage their reactions and process
How does trauma reshape arousal patterns?
Trauma has been linked to changes in an individual's ability to regulate arousal levels, leading to heightened sensitivity and difficulty returning to baseline states of alertness after being triggered by reminders of past experiences. This can result in increased anxiety, hypervigilance, and difficulties with sleep and concentration. It may also involve alterations in brain circuitry that modulate fear responses, affecting one's perception of threats and their potential for danger.