Trauma gets stored in a part of the brain known as the amygdala. It is the area of the brain also responsible for emotion.
I believe to protect us, the brain changes our memories of traumatic incidents, masking them. But I'm not sure that it helps us learn to live better with trauma.
As someone with PTSD, I think the battle to cope is ongoing.
Probably the latter, most likely. It's the brain's job to not forget things that hurt us, so it must remain on some level. It's also probably important to have some sort of therapy to be able to live with it and still have a good life.
@DeluxedEdition No, I think therapy would only increase the chances of mitigating the residual trauma. Depending on the severity of the trauma, the damage done, the person's individual disposition and the quality of the therapy, it could could be more or less effective. But I think therapy is the best measure to regaining a good level of mental health and the ability to enjoy life again. And it's always possible therapy may need to be revisited from time to time, in order to maintain that status.
Idk.. Ive never tried to get professional help but i feel like im managing ok enough without any help at all. It still affects me even in ways ill never know too but really what can you do.
Eventually but its a pattern of behavior. I started an automatic behavioral response to certain stimuli because of trauma i experienced. Bc thats how i coped and it worked; for me. That pattern of behavior is now default. For the most part it isnt unhealthy. But would i be able to recognize even if it were unhealthy? Its my default.
No I really don't think so. I cant even afford counseling let alone what I really need which is psychotherapy. You get better handling it I guess. But as far as forgetting about or even not letting it sometimes overcome you, I don't think it's possible.
I think so. I was clinically depressed in my late teens, early 20s was much the same. I couldn't imagine it getting better. Couldn't imagine being happy but now I don't think about that.
It never goes away - you have to 'process' it and learn to live with it as it always lingers as a danger sign for any future traumas that might eventuate.