When individuals who have experienced trauma share their stories, they often face skepticism due to the way they recount events. Their memories might be fragmented, inconsistent, or even contradictory, which can be perplexing for listeners such as attorneys, journalists, healthcare professionals, or friends who anticipate a straightforward, chronological narrative.
People who haven’t experienced trauma may also be taken aback by the survivor’s actions during the event. There is a common belief that a person undergoing a traumatic experience would naturally react with a “fight or flight” response, either confronting the threat or escaping from it. However, this is not always true.
Delving into the science behind trauma’s impact on memory and behavior helps clarify why these responses should be expected and are not necessarily contradictory.
On supporting science journalism
If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
In both my academic and clinical work as a psychologist, I have witnessed the impact trauma has on people’s memories and behaviors, particularly when an event in their current life triggers memories from their past.
Research indicates that employing a trauma-informed approach, which emphasizes understanding and curiosity about an individual’s experience rather than judgment or critical evaluation, enhances empathy towards survivors’ thoughts, emotions, and actions.
How trauma affects the brain
According to the World Health Organization, about 70 percent of people globally report experiencing a traumatic event at some point in their lives. Most of these individuals do not develop PTSD, a clinical diagnosis of symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance of reminders of the event, and heightened arousal that can disrupt concentration and sleep. Many survivors do not meet the criteria for PTSD but still battle feelings of distress, depression, or anxiety.
In traumatic situations, people often react in ways that defy expectations, sometimes second-guessing their actions. This is especially true for individuals who endure repeated trauma, which is common given the prevalence of traumatic experiences.
Trauma also alters how memories are stored and retrieved.
Research shows that traumatic memories are processed differently than those of other significant life events, whether sad or positive. Two key brain structures involved in handling traumatic memories are the hippocampus, which manages memory storage, and the amygdala, responsible for processing emotions.
During a traumatic event, the amygdala becomes extremely active, dealing with emotions like fear, while the hippocampus is overwhelmed by stress, hindering memory storage.
Traumatic memories do not follow a logical, linear pattern. Instead, they may appear as disjointed fragments of sensations, feelings, smells, or images. These memories can make the body relive the past threat as if it is happening again, triggering a desire to flee, fight, or freeze.
Moreover, individuals often lack the detached perspective typical of other past memories, feeling as though they are re-experiencing the initial event.
Misinterpreting victims’ behaviors
Understanding this, consider a person who encounters trauma during a professional appointment. They might seem calm during the event and proceed to leave the session as usual—checking out, paying, and possibly arranging another appointment. This seemingly normal behavior is actually a strategy to escape the threat.
Fight, flight, or freeze responses are widely recognized. In a freeze response, an individual’s mind may go blank, and they might be unable to speak, exhibiting a “deer in the headlights” reaction.
Conversely, someone might behave paradoxically, continuing their day as if nothing happened, not reporting the incident, or questioning its occurrence. This is another survival response known as fawn. This involves acting calmly, appeasing the threat, and metaphorically retreating by completing the session without further conflict.
Observers may misinterpret these actions as indications that no trauma occurred or that a survivor is not credible. Such reasoning reflects misconceptions about how trauma should be remembered or reacted to.
For someone experiencing trauma for the first time, they are likely to feel fearful, confused, or hyper-alert afterward. However, if they have had similar past experiences, the current situation may trigger old memories, further complicating the event and making it hard to recall later, especially under stress.
When a survivor reports an incident and testifies against the perpetrator, memory recall can be particularly challenging. Most individuals in such situations are highly stressed, particularly if the accused is present.
Additionally, the sensation that the memory is occurring in real-time rather than as a past event can lead to a more fragmented account. Depending on their trauma responses, survivors may also exhibit intense or detached emotions.
Professionals who are unaware of the natural range of trauma responses may easily mistake these behaviors for deceit or malingering.
However, the rate of false reports of sexual assault, for instance, is low—estimated to be between 2 percent and 10 percent.
Providing better support
Research suggests that individuals who grasp the complexities of trauma and mental health exhibit greater empathy toward survivors. Some healthcare environments have implemented trauma-informed practices to prevent retraumatization and promote safety. Studies highlight that careful word choice can ensure effective, non-victim-blaming care.
A trauma-informed approach can enhance legal and justice systems to better support victims. This involves recognizing why narratives may lack linearity and avoiding equating memory inconsistencies with dishonesty.
The importance of trauma-informed responses extends to everyday interactions. In friendships and close relationships, or in the workplace, demonstrating patience and empathy fosters respect, safety, and trustworthiness. These elements form a solid basis for positive social and professional relationships, which can reduce a survivor’s distress and aid their healing.
By understanding how trauma impacts the brain, individuals gain insights into how survivors think, behave, and process memories. What may seem confusing or inconsistent is actually a logical outcome of a brain affected by trauma.
Adopting a trauma-informed perspective enables people to be more supportive as friends, colleagues, and professionals. This awareness can also help survivors make sense of their own reactions and experiences, ultimately contributing to their healing and ability to live fulfilling lives.
This article was first published by The Conversation. Read the original article here.
