There is a common misconception that time is a natural cure to healing wounds whether it’s a physical scratch or an emotional distress. Most of us know the famous quote, “Time heals all wounds”, but what if we don’t allow it the space to heal? What if, instead, we lock those wounds deep away inside ourselves, hoping that with time, they’ll disappear?

The truth is, it never disappears, it just gets displaced. When we try and conceal our experiences to trauma, we not only suppress our emotions, but we damage our brain’s structure and function which potentially leads to long-term mental health challenges.

In this article, we will explore how keeping trauma hidden harms the brain, why it’s important to address the trauma you experienced and how you can address it.

The Silent Battle Is Still A Battle That Leaves Collateral Damage

Our brains are dramatically affected when we experience traumatic events, especially in childhood and early adulthood. Trauma can be described as a deeply distressing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. Various events can be considered traumatic such as abuse, violence, neglect, accidents or losing a loved one. There are significant and long-lasting effects of trauma on the brain.

When we suppress our trauma, we often avoid confronting the emotions that are tied to these experiences. In a counselling session, this could look like not mentioning anything about the event or even wanting not to even think about anything that relates to the traumatic event. Our brain is considered neuroplastic, meaning it is adaptive and has the ability to change in response to the situations it provides us. However, when do not address the trauma that we have experienced, it can cause maladaptive changes to the brain’s structure resulting in numerous emotional and cognitive difficulties.

How Unresolved Trauma Changes Your Brain

Research reveals that unresolved trauma can physically alter the brain’s structure, leading to disruptions in emotional regulation, memory, and decision-making. The following are some key ways in which trauma affects the brain:

• Altered Stress Response: Cortisol is the primary hormone involved in the body’s stress response. Under typical conditions, cortisol levels rise in response to stress, helping the body cope with acute challenges. However, long-term exposure to trauma can lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, causing prolonged elevated cortisol levels. This chronic state increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Shrinkage of the Hippocampus: The hippocampus is a brain region critical for memory formation and emotional regulation. Research shows that long-term exposure to trauma leads to structural changes in the hippocampus, including atrophy. This shrinkage impairs an individual’s ability to process memories accurately, leading to difficulties in distinguishing between past and present experiences.
• Hyperactivity of the Amygdala: The amygdala is known as the brain’s “fear center”, plays a key role in detecting and responding to threats. In individuals with unresolved trauma, the amygdala becomes hyperactive, leading to exaggerated fear responses. This heightened state of arousal can cause individuals to experience persistent anxiety, hypervigilance, and intrusive thoughts.

The Brain-Body Connection: How Trauma Affects Your Physical Health

The impact of trauma extends beyond the brain, affecting the body as well. Chronic stress and unresolved trauma results in a weakened immune system and have been linked to a range of physical health issues because the body’s stress response remains activated over a long period of time. Trauma can manifest as physical symptoms such as chronic pain, headaches, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal issues.

Can Trauma Be Healed?

The good news is that the brain is capable of healing itself through a process called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections in response to learning and experience. Research has shown that therapeutic interventions, such as CBT, EMDR and mindfulness-based practices, can help the brain recover from the effects of trauma by promoting healthier neural pathways.

If you’ve been keeping your trauma hidden for years, know that you’re not alone. Healing is possible. The first step is acknowledging the impact of trauma on your brain and body. From there, the next step is to seek help, whether through counselling, support groups, or self-care practices. Your brain and body deserve to heal and you have the power to start that journey today.

Take the First Step Towards Healing

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma, know that it’s never too late to begin healing. Reach out to us today for support and resources that can help you process your trauma and start living a healthier, more fulfilling life. You don’t have to carry the weight of your experiences alone.