Trauma and the 'Primitive Brain'

When extreme levels of anxiety are experienced, our 'fight and flight' response is engaged.  In that state of distress our 'primitive brain' records exquisitely the visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile information associated with the threat.  It records this sensory information so that on future presentation, we are ‘triggered’ or cued to fight the threat or remove ourselves from that situation quickly and effectively.  It becomes an ‘automatic’ response to a new presentation that has similarities with the original threat.

Brain imaging studies have established following traumatic incidents subjects have a different brain symmetry.  In particular, the primitive/associative brain structures are activated in preference to the logical circuits of the brain.  The task for therapy then becomes deactivating these circuits to restore the usual synchronicity observed in brain structures before the traumatic incident.

Our ‘primitive brain’ - also known as our ’associative or emotional brain’, is located in the brain stem which as a species we had long before we developed our present-day, higher functioning brain structures.  The primary purpose of the 'primitive brain' is to alert us to harm and to keep us safe.

The ‘Primitive Brain’ and Avoidance

In the threatened state, cortisol is released via the adrenal glands and this prompts the heart to send blood to our muscles in readiness to fight or flee.  It is a 'call to action' and we can find the resulting agitation makes it difficult to be still in the moment.  Rather, we commonly seek to distract ourselves or to ‘dull’ the heightened state of distress by ingesting drugs or alcohol.  Unfortunately, both actions as a form of avoidance are very ineffective in addressing the ‘triggering’ heightened emotional state associated with the original traumatic incident.  There is little wonder therefore that when we least expect it we come across a triggering cue and we relive the overpowering experience again.

The Role of Therapy

There are specific therapies to address heightened anxiety and the triggers (sensory information) associated with a ‘traumatic memory or memories’.  During therapy, the overpowering emotional content reduces and is finally extinguished with the individual not triggered in the vein they were before therapy.  They are also able to remain in the ‘present’ with a degree of calm rather than being overwhelmed and distressed by past triggers.

The therapies that address trauma and heightened anxiety states represent extended, specialist training for psychologists and social workers which are not covered typically in undergraduate or post graduate courses.

Tim Halls has this training and in excess of 20 years of trauma recovery experience with individuals.  In addition, he has developed an online modality that is efficient and effective in restoring the mental health of individuals with background trauma or elevated levels of anxiety.

Clientele regularly experience significant levels of reduction of symptoms in 1-3 sessions.

Tim welcomes your enquiry or booking regarding your past trauma or elevated anxiety.