Trauma and the Brain
There are many different ways that trauma impacts the brain and body.
This causes complex and varied reactions.
There is no “right way” to respond to sexual assault.
Pituitary
Hypothalamus
Gland Amygdala Hippocampus
Processes and Groups information
Regulates the body Produces hormones organizes emotional into memories
memories
Affects the body’s Affects a person’s
response during a memory of a
sexual assault sexual assault
During a sexual assault, the hypothalamus tells Both the amygdala and hippocampus are very
the pituitary gland that the body is in danger. sensitive to hormones, so the hormone flood
This triggers a flood of hormones and a fight, during a sexual assault can cause fragmented
flight, or freeze response. and disorganized memories of the assault.
Fight, Flight, or Freeze
During a traumatic event, the brain is flooded with 4 different types of hormones: catecholamines (adrenaline), cortisol,
opiates, and oxytocin. This hormone flood is designed for the body to protect itself against the assault, but it often also
impairs rational thought, causes flat affect, and reduces energy. This can cause a fight or flight response, or high levels of
cortisol can cause the body to temporarily shut down completely and uncontrollably in a freeze response. Researchers are
studying a phenomenon called tonic immobility, which is defined as a temporary state of motor inhibition stimulated by
extreme fear.
Fight: confronting Freeze: being unable
Flight: escaping the to move or make
the threatening
threatening situation noise in response to
situation danger
Includes tremors,
Physically fighting off Running away and
hyperventilating,
a perpetrator or abuser seeking safety coldness, and a
decreased heart rate
Reactions to Trauma
Following a sexual assault, a survivor can experience many after-effects as a result of the assault. In a traumatized brain, the
prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex are under-activated while the amygdala is over-activated. Hormonal levels
can stay very elevated for 96 hours after an assault. The impact of this varies from person to person and may persist for days,
months, or even years after the traumatic incident has happened.
Emotional Physical Cognitive Behavioral
reactions reactions reactions reactions
Anger, fear, sadness, Somatization, sleep Lack of trust, guilt, Avoidance, compulsive
shame, feeling out of disturbance, intrusive thoughts, and impulsive
control, numbness gastrointestinal distress triggers & flashbacks, behaviors, self-harm
dissociation
Some survivors experience all of these reactions and some experience none. It is best to seek help from an advocate or
therapist to process through these reactions.
Memory of Trauma
The amygdala and hippocampus are extremely sensitive to hormones, so the hormone flood at the time of a traumatic event
can impair memory encoding and consolidation. This makes recall a slow and difficult process where memories are
fragmented and may not seem to make sense.
However, with patience, space, and support, accurate memory recall is possible!
Schmidt, N. B., Richey, J. A., Zvolensky, M. J., & Maner, J. K. (2008). Exploring human freeze responses to a threat stressor. Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry, 39(3), 292-304.
Galliano, G., Noble, L. M., Travis, L. A., & Puechl, C. (1993). Victim reactions during rape/sexual assault: A preliminary study of the immobility response and its correlates. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 8(1), 109-114.
Campbell, R. (n.d.). The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault: Implications for First Responders in Law Enforcement, Prosecution, and Victim Advocacy. Retrieved from https://nij.gov/multimedia/presenter/presenter-
campbell/Pages/welcome.aspx
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2014). Understanding the impact of trauma
Esau, B. (1970, January 01). Neuroscience in Focus - An Introduction to the Stress Response System. Retrieved May 31, 2018, from http://tamingthepolarbears.blogspot.com/2016/01/neuroscience-in-focus-introduction-
to.html
Sweeton, Jennifer. “This is your Brain on Trauma.” Psychology Today, Publishers LLC. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/workings-well-being/201703/is-your-brain-trauma. Accessed 25 Oct. 2017.
