At some point in life, we all have experienced pain or a break in emotional, psychological or physical safety. The stress from trauma affects our body in more ways than most people understand. In response to trauma and stress, our nervous system comes to our defense in the form of fight or flight. The problems arise when we fail to find internal or external safety following a traumatic experience.

 

Stress has the ability to influence all systems of the body, including respiratory, cardiovascular and more. The nervous system is particularly responsive to stress, as it is the system that works to regulate each of the unconscious bodily functions such as heart rate and respiratory rate. When a person is under stress, their nervous system which is the control center gets compromised. This is made up of two systems: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The fight or flight response which is a reaction that’s controlled by the sympathetic nervous system kicks in. 

 

A dysregulated nervous system also takes over and our amygdala gets hijacked. The amygdala hijack, refers to the situations where the amygdala overrides control of a person's ability to respond rationally to a perceived threat, and the logical brain gets impaired due to emotional outbursts caused by the amygdala. This dysregualtion starts to hinder ones behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, as the brain and body perceive anything that appears to be similar as a threat. 

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Stress causes a physiological and psychological response called our survival mode. Survival mode occurs when there is continuous, unresolved stress or unresolved trauma, also can be referred to as chronic stress, unprocessed, unresolved or unhealed trauma. All human beings have experienced some level of traumatic stress at one point or another, but in survival mode, stress has been prolonged to a degree where a person feels unable to regulate their emotions, feeling, and thoughts. 

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Survival mode involves the release of stress hormones and the activation of our stress-response systems. Our mind and body become focused on combating danger. When we are unable to escape or fight, which are states of physiological hyperarousal, we are wired to freeze, a state of hypoarousal. Both hypoarousal and hyperarousal responses are highly effective for brief stressors. Hyperarousal, is when we feel overwhelmed by the stress. Hypoarousal, is when we feel numbed by the stress. However, if the stress is constant, prolonged survival mode becomes maladaptive. The maladaptive behavior is defined as behavior that interferes with a persons daily activities and quality of life, this impacts a persona ability to adjust to and participate in particular settings, as a result a person can become avoidant, withdrawn, and possibly passive aggression. The mind and body connection works by the feedback loop between the body and the mind. The way that a person feels, influences the way they think and vice versa. The mind and body connection, is the communication between thoughts and feelings. 

 

When a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, their brain enters what is referred to as survival mode. Normally, our prefrontal cortex, or the thinking brain, handles executive problem solving, organization, emotional regulation, critical thinking, and decision making. It tends to think logically rather than emotionally to produce a well thought out response or action. When a person experiences a trauma, like a pandemic, the survival brain grows brighter, reacting impulsively for self-preservation.

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In order to help themself survive, their brain will switch off certain parts and turn on others, such as heightening senses and creating more adrenaline. The part of the brain known as the amygdala is essentially hijacked and as a result, it shuts down non-essential functions and focuses. Usually, after the stressor is over, the brain can once again continue all other basic functions. However, some people may get stuck in survival mode, which is referred to as Post Traumatic Stress. The intensity of the traumatic event plays a huge role and it varies for person to person. 

 

The DSM, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders refers to this as PTSD. I personally prefer to leave the "disorder" out. The DSM is the handbook used by health care professionals, including psychotherapists in the US, and much of the world as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders. The DSM contains descriptions, symptoms and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. There is also another type of PTS, referred to as CPTS, Complex Post Traumatic Stress. CPTS can happen when a person endures a traumatic event that lasts for a long period of time, or a traumatic series of connected events. This could include living with an abuser for an extended amount of time, or even experiencing a series of natural disasters. The DSM refers to this as CPTSD, but again, I personally prefer to leave the "disorder" out as I am not a clinician, therefore I do not diagnose. 

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You can ask your doctor or other trauma survivors for a referral, call a local mental health clinic, psychiatric hospital, or counseling center if you or someone you know needs support. Beyond credentials and experience, it's important to find a trauma therapist who resonates with you and makes you feel comfortable and safe.