Prior to the 1990s, scientists would measure brain chemicals as a way to help them understand brain activity. They soon realized that this method wasn’t complete, and it was almost like studying gasoline as a way to understand how a car’s engine worked. Neuroimaging is a technique that allowed them to actually see what was happening inside the brain, which opened up a wealth of opportunities for advances in trauma treatment.
Flashbacks are just one of the symptoms that chronically plague trauma victims. These sudden images, sounds and feelings from the past have the ability to completely hijack their minds for a period of time, and neuroimaging has the ability to help scientists understand more of what’s happening during these periods of time.
In an effort to gather more information about how and why flashbacks occur, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, interviewed victims of trauma to learn about the various parts or fragments of their traumatic experiences. He and his associate came up with certain images, sounds and feelings that mimicked what they had experienced during their traumas, and a script was produced that detailed the traumas they had been through. In addition, they also asked participants to describe scenes where they felt in control and safe. These were situations like getting ready for work in the morning, or sitting on a porch watching the sunset. A second script was created using these scenes.
The study involved using radioactive oxygen, which was what the participants were breathing. Changes in breathing rates would be able to be measured, based on what was happening in the script they were being read at the time; either the script that caused distress, or the one that represented times of calmness in their lives. Also, their brains’ oxygen rates would be observed to determine any significant changes.
A few things were observed from this study:
- Participants’ amygdalae were affected. This is the emotion center of the brain.
- Stress hormones and nerve impulses were increased.
- Blood pressure and heart rate were increased.
However, that was not all that was discovered.
A Significant Find in Participants’ Brains
Anyone who has ever been through a trauma and then suffered through flashbacks understands what it is like to experience the pain of the trauma all over again. It is as if you are reliving what you have been through, and it is happening right in that particular moment. During his study, Dr. van der Kolk found that something interesting occurred within the Broca’s area of the brain. Broca’s area is known as a speech center, and when the blood supply to the area is cut off, speech is affected. This is normally seen in stroke victims, and it explains why they often lose the ability to speak.
During flashbacks, the Broca’s area in all participants went dark. It was almost as if it was offline temporarily. This explained why it is so difficult for trauma victims to describe how they feel, or why some refuse to speak at all. Eventually, many victims come up with a story they are more comfortable sharing with the world, but it is rarely an accurate representation of the trauma they’ve been through.
Does this explanation of neuroimaging help you understand your response to the trauma you’ve been through? No one can ever erase your experience, but with the help of a qualified trauma therapist, you can find the healing you’re so desperately seeking after. I’d like to help you. To make an appointment with me, please contact me.
