Trauma and the Brain

There is an interdependence between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala

Well-modulated emergency response

In a case where the emergency response is well modulated, the prefrontal cortex is able to know when the threat is over. Messages are sent to the amygdala and the fight-flight-freeze-submit responses are de-activated. Individual returns to normal functioning.

Emergency response in PTSD.

If the individual has experienced trauma, it takes longer to acknowledge that the perceived threat is no longer there and return to a normal state. In this situation, the prefrontal cortex is unable to adequately assess the severity of the danger, leaving the amygdala highly activated (responsivity).

Resick, P.A., Monson, C. M., Chard, K. M. (2017)