Understanding Trauma, The Brain, and Healing Through EMDR & CBT

 


What Is Trauma?

Trauma is not just about what happened to you — it’s about what happened inside you as a result.

Trauma can be caused by many reasong — and most importantly, it’s defined by its overwhelm on you and your body. Whether it’s childhood neglect, emotional abuse, or a sudden life-altering loss, trauma can alter how we view ourselves and the world.

How does Trauma Affects the Brain?

When a traumatic event occurs, the amygdala (your brain’s danger detector) stays overactive. This disrupts how memories are stored in the hippocampus, causing distressing memories to feel as if they are happening in the present moment. It’s not a flaw — it’s your brain trying to protect you.

The “Stress Bucket” Metaphor

Everyone has a limit for stress. For trauma survivors, that bucket fills faster. Minor stressors can feel overwhelming because years of unresolved trauma have already filled the system to the brim.

Freeze, Fight, or Flight: All Are Normal

During trauma, people freeze, fight, or flee — all of which are natural responses. Freezing, for example, is not weakness. It’s survival. Trauma therapy helps reframe these reactions as valid and automatic.

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