Trauma and Its Effects

It is related to chronic stress.

It concerns catastrophic events.

It does not directly threaten life.

It occurs only at key stages of development.

Natural disaster.

Warfare.

Humiliation.

Serious accident.

Permanent changes in cognitive schemas.

Memories in the form of vivid emotions and sensory images.

Chronic stress leading to fragmented memories.

The ability to verbalize traumatic experiences.

Memories are strongly emotionally charged.

Memories are fragmented and distorted.

Memory retains images and sensory impressions.

Activity of the amygdala predominates.

Hippocampus and amygdala.

Brainstem and frontal lobe.

Amygdala and prefrontal cortex.

Hippocampus and temporal lobe.

Improves stress coping ability.

Builds new cognitive schemas.

Supports integration of fragmented memories.

Reduces chronic stress.

High predictability of the event.

Presence of social support.

Suddenness and lack of avoidance options.

Low emotional intensity.

Flashbacks and somatic reactions.

Distortions in sensory images.

Lowered self-esteem and difficulties in relationships.

Sudden feelings of mortal fear.

Causes excessive activity of the limbic system.

Hinders memory and emotional processing.

Increases the intensity of memories.

Facilitates verbalization of experiences.

Facilitates verbalization of emotions.

Causes dominance of explicit memory over implicit.

Hinders integration of experiences with autobiography.

Increases the ability to process emotions.