The more understanding you have about your body and trauma, the more prepared you are to continue your healing journey. My name is Jen Stuart and, in today’s post, we will learn how your nervous system responds to trauma.

What is the nervous system?

The nervous system is the command centre of the body. Is composed of neurons, interconnected to transmit messages received from the interaction of the body with the environment. Functionally, we can differentiate two main categories: the somatic system, made of nerves that bridge the brain and the spinal cord; and the autonomic nervous system, in charge of the involuntary body responses.    This last one is divided into two more divisions: the parasympathetic one, that maintains the regular body functions during ordinary situations; and the sympathetic one, responsible for preparing the body to face extreme situations.  

How does trauma affect the nervous system?

Trauma is an inability to cope and respond. The neurobiology of trauma explains that, when facing danger, the reptilian brain activates the survival mode and the most sophisticated brain’s parts are not engaged.    The hippocampus is important in the creation of short and long term memories. When it’s overstimulated, events can be difficult to recall in a consistent timeline and some details can be lost. An adrenaline overload can provoke the amygdala, vital to perceive emotions, to recall certain sensorial parts of the traumatic event more vividly than others. The Broca’s area, relevant for language, is not engaged during trauma, hence some survivors cannot express their experience in words.  

Re-experiencing trauma

credit : @peoplebypierre

People who present central nervous system trauma and sympathetic nervous system trauma can re-experience the stressful events due to environmental or internal stimulus. People can experiment flashbacks, nightmares, nausea, dissociation, among others. 

Triggers are an emotional response. As explained before, the brain can archive specific sensorial elements related to the event in the long-term memory. Smells, sounds, words, habits, outfits, etc; they can all remind the body about the trauma and prepare it to respond. Nervous system traumatic injuries can also manifest physically.

Stages of trauma responses (6 F’s)

• Freeze: The person stops and tries to, quickly, find the source of a stimulus to conclude if it’s dangerous and take action.
• Flight and fight: The sympathetic nervous system response to trauma is to drive the body to get away from the danger or to fight against it.
• Fright: Safety is not restored and sensations as panic and dizziness take over. 
• Flag: Still in danger, the person dissociates from the event. They collapse, are immobilised, and experience low heart rate and blood pressure.
• Faint: The sudden and simultaneous drop of heart rate and blood pressure results in faint.

Trauma Sensitive Yoga is effective for nervous system trauma management because it restores the body and mind connection. Trauma lives in the body, more specifically, in our nervous system. Yoga for trauma is a gentle practice that explores mindfulness to allow body and emotional awareness. It helps survivors to change their relationship with trauma, giving them tools to respond to triggering events better, to counter dissociation, and to heal.