Definition of Acute Trauma #
Acute trauma is triggered by a single, short-lived, and unexpected event that overwhelms the nervous system and creates an intense sense of fear, danger, and distress.
The symptoms typically appear within minutes or hours and can last for a few days to a few weeks after the event.
If symptoms persist for more than a month and cause significant interference with daily life, it may be diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Physical Symptoms #
The body and mind are interconnected, and the physical symptoms of acute trauma are a direct result of the body’s stress response going into overdrive.
- Fatigue and exhaustion: Feeling persistently tired, even after getting enough rest.
- Gastrointestinal issues: Experiencing stomach upset, nausea, or other digestive problems.
- Headaches and dizziness: Physical pain or tension in the head and neck can be caused by stress.
- Increased heart rate and sweating: The autonomic nervous system goes into fight-or-flight mode, causing physical changes like a racing heart and excessive sweating.
- Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, and being plagued by nightmares.
- Exaggerated startle response: Being jumpy and easily startled by sudden noises or movements.
- Muscle tension: Chronic tension and aches can result from the body bracing itself for danger.
Emotional Symptoms #
The emotional fallout of acute trauma can manifest in a wide range of intense feelings, including:
- Anxiety and fear: Feeling constantly on edge, like something bad is about to happen, and struggling to feel safe.
- Shock and denial: Feeling numb, bewildered, or a sense of disbelief immediately following the event. It can be the body’s way of protecting itself from overwhelming emotions.
- Irritability and mood swings: Becoming easily agitated, having angry outbursts, and experiencing unpredictable emotions.
- Guilt and shame: Feeling guilt or responsibility for what happened, even if one was not at fault.
- Sadness and depression: A pervasive feeling of hopelessness or grief.
- Emotional numbness: A sense of detachment or an inability to feel positive emotions like happiness or satisfaction.
- Helplessness: A feeling of powerlessness or loss of control during and after the event.
Neurobiology #
During and after a traumatic event, several brain regions and stress systems are altered, which explains both the emotional and physical symptoms.
BRAIN REGIONS AFFECTED
- Amygdala: The brain’s “alarm system” becomes overactive, leading to a constant state of hyperarousal where even minor cues are perceived as threats.
- Hippocampus: Responsible for organizing and storing memories. Trauma can interfere with its function, causing memory gaps or making traumatic memories feel unpredictable and intrusive.
- Prefrontal Cortex (PFC): The PFC, which is responsible for rational thought and decision-making, becomes less effective. The brain shifts into a primal survival mode, bypassing rational thought entirely.
- Salience network: This network, which is used for survival and learning, shows changes in activity in people exposed to trauma.
NEUROCHEMICAL & HORMONAL CHANGES
- Norepinephrine (NE): High levels of this neurotransmitter are released during a threat, disrupting the PFC and amygdala function.
- Cortisol: Levels of this stress hormone, regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, can become dysregulated, affecting how the body reacts to stress and processes fear.
- Memory encoding: Traumatic memories are encoded differently, influenced by the brain’s fear circuitry. This can result in fragmented memories where specific details are vivid but contextual information is poorly stored.
SURVIVAL REFLEXES
The intense fear and stress can trigger involuntary survival responses, including:
- Fight: Reacting with anger or aggression.
- Flight: Trying to escape or avoid the situation.
- Freeze: Feeling paralyzed and unable to move.
- Fawn: Trying to please the person causing harm.
- Dissociation: Feeling detached from one’s body or surroundings, as if observing the event from a distance.
Conclusion #
Acute trauma is a normal, if distressing, reaction to an abnormal event. Most people will recover over time, but understanding the neurobiological, emotional, and physical impacts is crucial for effective treatment and healing.
For those whose symptoms do not resolve, seeking professional help is essential to manage the long-term effects.
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