Memory becomes compromised as a result of injuries, as trauma can impair the functioning of our declarative explicit memory system. Traumatic memories are depicted as internal sensations. This is known as dissociation: memories are divided at trauma into distinct pieces that remain lodged in the mind and linger chronically. These fragments can lead to post-traumatic symptoms commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and can heighten the probability of physical illness.
The three sections of the brain responsible for processing stress change once the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder exposes itself. As a result, the hippocampus expands, which is involved in emotion and memory. The amygdala function increases, which is involved in creativity, planning, and self-development. The prefrontal anterior cingulate zone shrinks, which is involved in more complex functions, such as planning and self-development. Like an infection in our encoding system, unprocessed traumatic memories can influentially cause mental and physical capabilities to malfunction. An early glimpse at cellular memory suggests that not merely the brain, but also the body's cells hold a hint of past traumatic events.
Traumatic experiences can be prevented without long-lasting effects. Mental health care and holistic recovery methods like psychotherapy are available to guide the integration of unresolved trauma blockages. The unresolved traumas may be dissolved from the mind and body to not be significantly affected. Healing modalities such as meditation, asana, drishti focus points, energy centers, and prana breath may provide true results by easing symptoms and assisting in the healing process.
A recently released Trauma Centre study identified that yoga is a beneficial course of alternative healing for alleviating post-traumatic stress disorder than its counterparts of pharmaceutical medications typically prescribed from Western medical practitioners. This does not equate to yoga as a sole cure for PTSD, but it will significantly create beneficial difference in the outcome of alternative health.
The release of trauma from the body and the mind can have profound effects. It was Dr. Turner, Ph.D. who extensively studied the lives of terminally ill cancer patients who completely eradicated their disease, and she noticed that those who were in remission often cited freeing themselves from internalized pain as influenced from trauma to be a key part of their recovery process. Our anatomy is able to maintain the score of trauma as stated by Bessel van der Kolk, but the incredible ability to repair itself makes it the most interesting structure behind the human condition. As Helen Keller stated, the world is full of suffering, but it is also rich with overcoming it.