How Trauma Rewires The Brain

The human brain is constantly rebuilding its structure based on our environment. This process is known as neuroplasticity and it allows the brain to reset itself by forming new connections throughout life (Kreber, n.d.). However, when the connections are formed and defined by trauma, the reset can become survival-focused and can change how the person sees the world. This is most often seen in Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health disorder that results from long term exposure to traumatic situations such as child abuse or domestic violence. 

The effect of trauma in human brains has been viewed in multiple ways throughout the years, often as brains being called “broken.” However, in modern neuroscience, the effect is being seen as “Neuroplastic Narrative.” According to Haley Peckham (2023),  “The Neuroplastic Narrative is not intended to replace the medical model but to sit as an alternative framework from which to understand and respond to emotional and psychological suffering, the common goal of both approaches.”

The human brain often prioritizes survival over logic when in stressful or dangerous situations. This leads to significant changes in key areas of the brain in the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (Neurology Center For Epilepsy and Seizures, 2024).

• The Amygdala: The Amygdala is in control of emotional regulation. Studies on humans showed that stress leads to a hyperactive amygdala and removal of control which causes more intense reactions.
• The Hippocampus: The Hippocampus is in control of memory and impairs the brain during memory related tasks. 
• The Prefrontal Cortex: The Prefrontal Cortex is responsible for processing complex behavior. The Prefrontal Cortex can shut down if it senses even a low amount of stress. 

The most interesting part of research about the human brain is the connection between neurodivergence and trauma. Neurodivergence means having a brain that processes information differently from most people.This includes dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and down syndrome. Many neurodivergent traits and trauma responses from a person can look the same to someone on the outside. 

• Emotional Control: People with autism and trauma survivors can have the same intense emotions. They can struggle with coping mechanisms and mood swings. 
• Social Challenges: People with disorders like ADHD or autism can have trouble communicating or fitting in social events. Trauma survivors have the same challenges due to mistrust and/or people-pleasing. 
• Shutdowns: A neurodivergent person may have shutdowns due to being overwhelmed or struggling with social awareness. A person with trauma may shut down due to being triggered a certain way or having a rough flashback.  
• Functional Challenges: ADHD and autism can cause organizational challenges and difficulties with memory. Trauma survivors can have the same or similar challenges. 

Neuroplasticity allows the brain to accept trauma but it also provides a way to heal. Certain interventions can help the brain reset and build healthy connections after trauma.

• Therapy: Therapists that specialize in trauma can help the brain form different responses to multiple triggers in the individual’s environment, using multiple techniques and methods.
• Enriched Environments: Enriched Environments are physical environments that are enhanced to stimulate the brain. “Enriched environments (EE) can not only promote normal neural development through enhancing neuroplasticity but also play a nerve repair role in restoring functional activities during CNS injury by morphological and cellular and molecular adaptations in the brain” (National Library of Medicine, 2022). 

Neuro-ecological diversity refers to how experiences shape our brains and bodies (Peckham, 2025). This means that neurodivergent people can struggle navigating a world meant for neurotypical people which can cause trauma. As the brain attempts to save itself from the trauma, it can eventually lead the person to burnout.   

Trauma rewiring the brain does not mean something is wrong or “broken.” It shows how incredible the human brain is when it comes to adapting to trauma, situations and environments. The more that is understood and researched about this, the more we can better support the mental paths of all individuals.

Resources:
Peckham, Haley. (2023, May 22). Introducing the Neuroplastic Narrative: a non-pathologizing biological foundation for trauma-informed and adverse childhood experience aware approaches. National Library of Medicine. 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10239852/

Han, Yu. (2022, July 21). The role of enriched environments in neural development and repair. National Library of Medicine. 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9350910/

Kreber, Lisa. (n.d.). Neuroplasticity. Center for Neuro Skills. 

https://www.neuroskills.com/neuroplasticity/

Neurology Center For Epilepsy and Seizures. (2024, December 27). How chronic stress impacts your brain and ways to regain control. 

https://www.neurocenternj.com/blog/how-chronic-stress-impacts-your-brain-and-ways-to-regain-control/