It’s not like regular PTSD, which comes from a single traumatic event. Truecels grow up being treated like they don’t matter, and over time, that changes how their brain works. We never got the social experiences that normal people did, so we don’t develop the same confidence or trust. Society
creates truecels, then blames them for it. That’s why advice like "just be confident" is useless. If all you’ve ever known is abuse and mistreatment, you can’t just snap out of it.
Brain areas implicated in the stress response include the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Traumatic stress can be associated with lasting changes in these brain areas. Traumatic stress is associated with increased cortisol and ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The Neurobiological Impact of Traumatic Stress and PTSD
Traumatic stress can have profound and lasting effects on the brain, potentially leading to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other related mental health issues. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying these conditions are complex and involve several key brain regions, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Understanding how traumatic stress alters brain structure and function is crucial for developing effective treatments for trauma-related disorders.
Effects of Traumatic Stress on Brain Development
Normal brain development involves dynamic changes in structure and function throughout the lifespan. During childhood, there is an initial expansion of brain volume followed by a period of neuronal pruning and increased myelination. Gray matter areas like the frontal and parietal cortex undergo significant development, while structures like the hippocampus and amygdala also increase in size. Traumatic stress can disrupt these normal developmental processes, leading to long-term consequences. The impact of trauma varies depending on the developmental stage during which it occurs, with early trauma potentially having more severe and pervasive effects.
Neurobiology of PTSD
PTSD is characterized by a constellation of symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, flashbacks, and memory disturbances. These symptoms are thought to reflect stress-induced changes in brain circuits involved in the stress response. The hippocampus, amygdala, and medial prefrontal cortex play critical roles in mediating the effects of stress on memory and emotional regulation.Cortisol and norepinephrine, key neurochemicals involved in the stress response, are also implicated in PTSD. Traumatic stress can lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in altered cortisol levels and increased norepinephrine responses to subsequent stressors. Early stress experiences can have lasting effects on the HPA axis and norepinephrine systems, potentially predisposing individuals to develop PTSD later in life.
Cognitive Function and Brain Structure in PTSD
Studies have consistently demonstrated cognitive deficits in individuals with PTSD, particularly in verbal declarative memory. These deficits are associated with structural and functional changes in the hippocampus, a brain region critical for memory formation. Research has shown that individuals with PTSD often have smaller hippocampal volumes compared to healthy controls. This reduction in hippocampal volume correlates with impairments in verbal declarative memory function.In addition to hippocampal changes, PTSD is associated with increased amygdala activity and decreased medial prefrontal cortex function. These alterations in brain activity contribute to the emotional and behavioral symptoms of PTSD, such as hyperarousal and impaired emotional regulation.
