How the Brain Remembers Trauma Differently: Understanding Traumatic Memory

Traumatic memories are a complicated psychological phenomenon, where some experiences are never forgotten but can only be remembered in fragments. Traumatic memories are not as complete or coherent as regular memories. Even if its details are absent, the actual event can still make a strong impression. Trauma is the result of an extremely stressful, frightening or upsetting event that is hard to cope with or feel we have no control over. These experiences may be a one-time thing or repeated over time.

Memory is the capacity of the mind to learn, store and recall information as required. Memory allows us to remember things over time and, therefore, act upon them in the future. Traumatic memories are not normal memories. Typical memories are often in proper, organised sequence and are logical. Traumatic memories, however, are disorganised and fragmented. They may not fall into the usual pattern used to store information in the mind. There are four stages in the process of normal memory:

Gathering: the brain is taking in information from the outside world.
Encoding: The brain converts this information into a storage format.
Storage: The brain stores and retains information.
Retrieval: The brain is able to select and recall information when necessary.

The working of the brain

Memories are stored, encoded, recalled and collected in a certain manner by the brain. The synchronised activity of the neurons, neurotransmitters, synapses, and some parts of the brain is responsible for this process. The hippocampus is one of the major structures involved in this process. The hippocampus is a small area of the brain that plays a role in many functions, such as learning and memory. It plays a role in processing, storing and recalling memories, as well as turning short-term memory into long-term memory.

The hippocampus belongs to a group of brain structures involved in emotional and autonomic functions such as heart rate, breathing and sweating, known as the limbic system. The two brain regions that are regarded as the sections responsible for making memories and eliciting emotional responses are the hippocampus and the amygdala. The hippocampus links the hypothalamus and the amygdala, which are responsible for the “fight-or-flight” reaction in the body.

For example, if a student puts forward a wrong answer in class and the teacher corrects them politely instead of berating them, the hippocampus and amygdala will create a positive memory. Now, if the teacher has a negative response towards them, the hippocampus and amygdala will form a negative memory, possibly one where the student does not ever answer again in that teacher’s class.

How does a traumatic experience affect memory?

Trauma can cause some people to have gaps in their memory. Some may recall certain parts of the event, but other important parts are lost. Some people can’t remember anything. They might only have a general sense that something’s gone wrong. At times, they can experience strong emotional responses to some triggers that they may not know where they are originating from. This is a protective and defensive reaction of the brain. If the experience is too overwhelming, the brain may shut down to prevent the person from experiencing it again. This is sometimes referred to as dissociation and may result in a memory that is not complete, is not remembered at all, or doesn’t exist.

It can be distressing for people to have difficulties with memory. They may think that there is something wrong with them due to their memory. May doubt if the traumatic event ever actually occurred. This may result in shame and embarrassment. These thoughts can impact a person’s self-perception as well. This is, however, a normal way that the brain protects itself and is more common than most people realise.

Theory of Dissociation

Dissociation is a phenomenon that occurs in a healthy mind as it brings together sensory experiences, memories, and emotions to form a whole, according to Pierre Janet’s theory. If mental stress is a lot, the mind can be split. This stress can make it difficult to connect them and create a disconnection between the various parts of the mind.

These dissociative elements lie in the subconscious and can then act on their own. Traumatic memories can be lost and can enter a “fixed idea” and cause obsessive or re-enacting behaviours. These memories do not become part of the person’s personal history. This gives rise to a lack of awareness, suggestibility or awareness of the surrounding environment, bringing the person further out of the centre of his consciousness. (Janet, 1889) (van der Hart & Horst, 1989)

Cognitive Model

This is also known as the Ehlers & Clark Cognitive Model (Ehlers and Clark, 2000). Based on the Ehlers & Clark cognitive model, chronic PTSD occurs when individuals think of or remember the trauma in ways that result in a feeling of continual threat. This persistent feeling of danger is typically based on over-negative interpretations of the trauma or traumatic aftermath and inadequacies in trauma memory integration or traumatic aftermath integration. This is a disintegration that lets the memory be accessed easily, and thus the constant emotional and psychological anguish.

Trauma Memory Theory

Van der Kolk’s theory on trauma memory is that trauma is not a narrative to be recalled but lived, and that the trauma memory is experienced in the body in the form of disorganised, sensory-motor body memories. He emphasises the significance of the “body keeps the score” and also notes that traumatised individuals are not necessarily conscious of the event, but instead they will certainly feel various events in their body when it is triggered. The rational brain is unable to differentiate between past danger and present security, and extreme stress closes off the rational brain and activates the emotional part of the brain, which then prevents the hippocampus from correctly placing the event in context. (Van der Kolk, 1994)

Dual Representation Theory

The Dual Representation Theory is a psychological theory that attempts to explain the symptoms of PTSD, such as nightmares and flashbacks. Trauma memories are being stored in two memory systems: Verbal Accessible Memory (VAM), which is information that can be recalled by will, and Situationally Accessible Memory (SAM), which is sensory (sounds, smells, sights) and strong emotions during trauma often result in vivid, involuntary flashbacks. High fear levels during a traumatic event can disrupt the VAM system, and the memory will become SAM-driven. (Brewin et al, 1996)

Conclusion

Memory is not a perfect record; it is a living, reconstructed story. For those who have suffered trauma, it can be a story that’s broken, that’s trapped, that’s buried, that’s not the normal interpretation of the story. The work of Brewin and Van der Kolk, Ehlers and others has provided us with a justification for this and an understanding of the complexities of trauma and the influence that this has on the brain.

References +

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/trauma

https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma

https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/trauma

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory

https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain-basics/memory

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8611531

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/inside-the-science-of memory

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/hippocampus

https://www.fortitudepsychologicaltherapy.co.uk/post/what-does-trauma-do-to-your memory

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28838469

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/protect-your-brain-from-stress https://www.uab.edu/news/news-you-can-use/the-science-of-fear-what-happens-in-the brain-when-frightened