Can severe psychological trauma cause actual physical damage to the brain??

Answer 1

I recently read a book called "Sometimes I Act Crazy" about Borderline Personality Disorder, and the author wrote a chapter about this idea. He believed, based on studies described in the book, that psychological traumas do cause physical, measurable differences in the brain. In one study, the scientists had measured brain waves in people with BPD who had been emotionally abused and could see actual differences in which parts of the brain were working. People with BPD often see the world in black and white (figuratively) and the brain waves showed that their brains were more likely to work in a divided manner (left brain vs right brain) and less likely to unite. The author also wrote about how the area that would normally regulate the two sides of the brain was often underdeveloped in people who'd been abused. Fortunately, studies indicated that this area could be "strengthened" with therapy. It was very interesting, and after reading it, I am inclined to answer your question with a "YES!"

Answer 2

Hmmm... well, I really don't know about the brain. BUT, I'm pretty sure it can harm your endocrine system! It produces all your hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol, to meet your body's needs, and when your needs are extreme I imagine that's got to hurt your system.

Six months ago I spent two weeks in solid adrenaline rush, after something bad - and then months of bad stress following that. Just the physical part of it, feeling so WIRED and jumpy, like my veins were on fire - it was unreal. I don't know; but after that I suddenly got a whole lot sicker. Some of that was post-trauma anxiety, I'm sure, but not all of it - my doctors can't figure out just what it is, but they've said they reckon it's "bad wiring" or something hormonal. So, I guess that includes both the brain and endocrine system.

One thing I've found out, while trying to figure what's wrong - with Addison's disease (which is adrenal failure), severe psychological trauma is enough to send you into crisis, something possibly fatal. With that kind of stress, your body needs more cortisol (from your adrenal glands); it sends out the call for it, but when your failing adrenals can't meet the needs your body starts to shut down. I don't know exactly how it works with a non-Addison's person, but I imagine those kind of demands can't be good either...

Are you just researching, or did something happen to you? I'm sorry if it did. I hope you're going to be okay :)

Answer 3

I think so. I think that over time our chemistry can get so out whack from constant trauma that it can cause damage to our "wiring". I grew up with a mother who I now love dearly. But when I was growing up, she would get mad at me almost everyday and just glare at me and not talk to me all day, or would criticize my every move. I even begged my brother to kill me once when I accidently broke a glass dish. My brother told me that when we were 3 and 6, she would wake us up screaming to get up and clean the house and she would leave and go shopping at the thrift store. The never-ending anger that my mother projected towards me has left me pretty much a nervous wreck. No matter what I try, my nerves are so bad that even with meds I have a really hard time functioning. My brother is just pretty much a depressed and angry person who hates the world. Yes, trauma can really do a number on us.

Answer 4

I understand there are studies that have shown that it can cause damage in the brain. I also understand there are studies that show with working on change, when you repeat a process over and over again many times, the brain learns that also.

Answer 5

I think so.