These are part of a stress circuit in the brain which may explain why traumatic stress continues long after the event is over. With severe trauma however, after effects of this process remain which can lead to nightmares, flashbacks, and difficulty with change or self-expression.ДЄccording to neuroimaging studies, the main areas of the brain impacted by trauma are the amygdala, the hippocampus and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. In this mode, nonessential body and mind functions shut down until the threat ceases and the nervous system allows those higher functions to resume.

When a person experiences trauma, a certain part of their brain takes over that triggers the вЂњfight or flightвЂќ response meant to protect us from danger. Traumatic stress leads to significant changes in brain structure and function that cause the victim to continue experiencing stress. These maps show areas of the brain that vary from normal non-trauma brain structure. Tools like neuroimaging are used to create maps of the brain in order to study PTSD sufferers. PTSD symptoms can be frightening and debilitating so gaining insight into how the brain functions differently may be useful in recovery. Understanding how trauma affects the brain may help create new treatment methods to help reduce and minimize some of the painful emotional symptoms associated with trauma. Researchers are continuing to determine exactly how PTSD impacts and even the effect of trauma on the brain that doesnвЂ™t result in PTSD. Childhood trauma can even impact the developing brain and cause variations in the volume and function of the brain. Victims of trauma, particularly those who develop PTSD may have their brain вЂњrewiredвЂќ in a sense due to their exposure to trauma. People that experience trauma not only suffers from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, they may even have significant effects of trauma on the brain.

When does the brain stop developing