The Amygdala

 The amygdala is a part of the human brain within the temporal lobe. This part of the brain controls the fight or flight response, the release of cortisol and adrenaline, and signals to the hippocampus to store memories associated with high levels of stress or joy. 

(LeDoux )

Experiencing a traumatic and stressful event, or series of traumatic and stressful events can lead to the amygdala becoming overactive. This overactivity in the amygdala leads to excessive cortisol in the body, and even increased adrenaline. This can cause many different changes both physically and mentally. 

Increased cortisol production can cause weight gain and an inability to lose weight regardless of diet and exercise. Cortisol is the body's primary stress hormone. It changes the body by suppressing functions that are nonessential in a dangerous or stressful situation such as the digestive and reproductive systems. (Mayo Clinic Staff)

Adrenaline causes the heart rate to increase, and raises blood pressure in an attempt to give you energy and strength to survive the dangerous or stressful situation. Chronic stress and fear can cause heart problems. Adrenaline also increases your glucose levels, which can lead to conditions such as diabetes. (Mayo Clinic Staff)

The amygdala becoming overactive causes these natural responses to go crazy, producing mental and physical illness from anxiety and depression to heart disease and stroke. People experiencing an overactive amygdala also have problems with memory and focus. (Mayo Clinic Staff)

An overactive amygdala leads to anxiety disorders, ptsd,and depression. Trauma can cause mental illness by forcing the amygdala to overwork, causing it to become overactive. This type of dysregulated fear response leads to behavioral issues. “Several lines of evidence indicate that the amygdala plays a prominent role in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders and depression.” - The National Library of Medicine.

Works Cited

LeDoux, Joseph. “The Amygdala.” Current Biology, vol. 17, no. 20, 2007. Cell Press, https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(07)01779-4. Accessed 30 April 2026.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Chronic stress puts your health at risk.” Mayo Clinic, 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037. Accessed 30 April 2026.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

 The most widely discussed mental illness caused by trauma is post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD was most often known as a soldier’s condition, however we’ve come to understand it as more than just a disorder seen amongst those who have experienced war. The stigma around PTSD still exists. 

PTSD is caused by an extremely stressful or traumatic event, which could be anything from losing a loved one to being in a car accident. Our society is often bombarded with news of violent crimes, mass shootings and other traumatic events that leaves witnesses, victims, and families with symptoms of ptsd. (The Mayo Clinic)

The symptoms of ptsd can include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and in some cases even violent outbursts. The severity of these symptoms depends on the patient, not the severity of the event. A person experiencing a horrific car accident may have milder symptoms than someone who was robbed at gunpoint.

These symptoms cause the patient to suffer the pain from that traumatic event over and over, reliving the same fear, and pain and stress as the original event each time a flashback occurs, each time they discuss the event in therapy, or to the police. The brain reacts as though it is experiencing the event again; essentially re-traumatizing the patient, victim, or witness. (Walker)

Post traumatic stress disorder is often found in victims of abuse, be it physical or emotional abuse. Many patients with PTSD suffer from insomnia and racing thoughts, unable to stop reliving the event or sequence of events in their minds. 

PTSD can also change a person’s physical and emotional responses as well as thought process. That trauma has reshaped the part of the brain that senses and processes fear, the amygdala. This part of the brain becomes overactive, causing the patient to experience fear in situations that aren’t considered dangerous or frightening. (The Mayo Clinic)  

In recent years there has been significant discussion on the differences between PTSD and CPTSD, the United States doesn’t diagnose CPTSD. CPTSD is diagnosed outside of the US in patients who have experienced a sequence of traumatic events, such as an abusive household. However this is categorized under PTSD in the United States because of the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition Text Revision (DSM5TR). The DSM5TR is published by the American Psychiatric Association, and does not list CPTSD. (Walker)

In our next blog post we'll be discussing the Amygdala and the way an overactive Amygdala hijacks the nervous system. 

Works Cited

The Mayo Clinic. “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - Symptoms and causes.” Mayo Clinic, 16 August 2024, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967. Accessed 23 April 2026.

Walker, Jeff. Mental Health Professional. Interview.

The Human Brain

The human brain is a fascinating organ isn’t it? It weighs only 3 pounds but controls every process that regulates the human body. The brain controls everything from intelligence and emotional regulation to basic breath and movement. You are who you are because of your brain. 

The brain can be divided into 3 basic parts. The forebrain, the mid-brain, and the hindbrain. Think of these different parts of your brain as a team of managers working together to keep your body functioning. 

The hindbrain is the section of the brain that connects with your spine. It includes the cerebellum, and brain stem. This part of your brain controls basic functions such as heart rate and breathing. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

The mid-brain controls your voluntary motions, some reflexes and eye movement. However the forebrain is the most highly developed part of the brain, including the cerebrum. The forebrain controls your personality, likes and dislikes, and controls your memory. This is the part of the brain that is you. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

In recent times, there has been a movement among health professionals to understand the neurological nature of trauma. Because trauma does impact the brain. Your brain processes pain, both physical and emotional. The brain does not differentiate between physical and emotional pain, therefore words can also cause harm. (Walker)

We know that physical trauma can change the brain. There are documented cases of brain damage from physical injury, however we are only beginning to study the way emotional trauma, fear, or even grief can change the way the brain functions. (Walker) The common stigma around mental illness has prevented the study and understanding of how trauma can lead to these illnesses. Illnesses such as P.T.S.D, Bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and other common mental illnesses that may be explained, studied, and or treated by doing more to understand how trauma changes the functions of our brains. 

Trauma reshapes the brain. The amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for your fear response becomes overactive causing you to be afraid in situations that may not call for fear. The hippocampus, the part of your brain responsible for your memory shrinks, you can become forgetful or confused. (Walker) The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for rational thought is weakened, this may lead to the behaviors we see in patients with mental illness. (“How your brain works”)

In this blog we are going to discuss how trauma impacts the brain, leading not only to mental illness but also to physical changes in how the body functions. We will touch base on topics ranging from mental and physical health, to how the political environment may negatively impact your health. 

Works Cited

“How your brain works.” Mayo Clinic, 2 July 2024, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/in-depth/brain/art-20546821. Accessed 22 April 2026.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “Brain Basics: Know Your Brain | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 25 February 2025, https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-know-your-brain. Accessed 22 April 2026.

Walker, Jeff. Mental Health Professional. Interview.