Trauma on the Brain: The Neurobiological Effects of PTSD | Daisy Payton | TEDxMeritAcademy

Summary

The speaker shares her journey as a survivor of abuse and PTSD, detailing the emotional and physical toll of her past and her path to healing. She highlights the neurobiological effects of PTSD on the brain, particularly the overactivity of the amygdala and the underactivity of the prefrontal cortex. The talk emphasizes the importance of understanding PTSD's impact on women, who are disproportionately affected, and advocates for community support, education, and mental health resources to aid recovery.

Takeaways

• 😢 The speaker experienced an abusive relationship, which led to emotional and physical distress.
• 🏫 A move to a new city and acceptance into the University of San Francisco was a pivotal step towards seeking change.
• 🐾 The journey to healing began with cutting off contact with the abuser and starting a new life with her dog, Toddy.
• 🤔 Despite the move, feelings of freedom and self-identity were slow to return, marked by ongoing stress and trauma.
• 🧠 The study of PTSD in a psychology class helped the speaker understand her symptoms and begin the process of recovery.
• 👩‍🎓 The speaker's academic interest in the neurobiology of trauma and PTSD deepened as she personally grappled with its effects.
• 🧪 PTSD is often underdiagnosed, especially in women who have experienced abuse, with significant neurological impacts.
• 🔬 The brain structures like the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus play crucial roles in the development and treatment of PTSD.
• 🛑 In PTSD, the prefrontal cortex becomes hypoactive, and the amygdala hyperactive, leading to a constant state of fight or flight.
• 💊 Effective treatment for PTSD involves a combination of medication and intensive therapies to address the entire system.
• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the brain's role in PTSD to reduce shame and encourage seeking help.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial motivation for transferring to the University of San Francisco?

The speaker's initial motivation for transferring to the University of San Francisco was to study Psychology and Neuroscience, with the belief that escaping to a new city and starting a new life would help them leave the past behind and feel okay.

How did the speaker's physical and emotional state change after moving to a new city?

After moving to a new city, the speaker experienced high levels of physical and emotional stress, with symptoms such as not eating or sleeping well, and constantly replaying the abuse in their mind, leading to a state of constant fight or flight.

What was the turning point for the speaker in terms of seeking help and understanding their condition?

The turning point for the speaker was when they were studying the DSM-5 in one of their psychology courses and came across case studies that resonated with their own experiences, leading them to approach their professor for help.

What is PTSD and how does it relate to the speaker's experiences?

PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. The speaker relates to this condition as they experienced abuse and the subsequent symptoms align with their own experiences.

Why are women more susceptible to developing PTSD according to the speaker?

Women are more susceptible to developing PTSD because they are more likely to face certain types of traumas, such as intimate partner violence and sexual abuse. The speaker notes that one in three women will experience such trauma at some point in their life, and 50% of these survivors develop PTSD.

What are the key brain structures involved in PTSD as discussed by the speaker?

The key brain structures involved in PTSD, as discussed by the speaker, are the prefrontal cortex, which is critical for complex thinking and self-control; the amygdala, which processes emotions and senses threats; and the hippocampus, which is crucial for processing emotions, learning, and storing memories.

How does PTSD affect the normal functioning of the prefrontal cortex and amygdala?

In individuals with PTSD, the prefrontal cortex becomes hypoactive, or lacking in activity, leading to a loss of its top-down control. Meanwhile, the amygdala becomes hyperactive, being overactive and stuck in a fight or flight response, even in the absence of threat.

What is the role of the hippocampus in PTSD, as explained by the speaker?

The hippocampus in PTSD is overactive, trying to log all memories associated with the trauma while being flooded with stress hormones. This constant stress can lead to volume changes and remodeling in the hippocampus, including a reduction in the length of dendritic branches, loss of dendritic spines, and impairment in neurogenesis.

What are some effective treatments for PTSD mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker mentions that effective treatments for PTSD include a combination of medication, such as anti-depressants, and intensive therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and other forms of intensive therapy to help reframe the way the brain processes trauma.

Why is it important to understand the neurobiological effects of PTSD, according to the speaker?

Understanding the neurobiological effects of PTSD is important because it can help release feelings of shame and confusion, reduce stigma, and promote awareness about the condition. This understanding can also encourage seeking help and treatment, and contribute to a more trauma-informed community.

What actions does the speaker encourage the audience to take in support of survivors of abuse and PTSD?

The speaker encourages the audience to donate or volunteer at local women's shelters, educate themselves on the signs of abuse, and be supportive of those who might be suffering from abuse or PTSD. They also advocate for better access to mental health care and resources for survivors.