ClassX Video Lessons How to rewire your brain after trauma | Bessel van der Kolk | Explain It Like I’m Smart
Imagine you’re a smart individual, and I’m here to explain something intriguing about the human brain, particularly how it responds to trauma. A close friend of mine in Australia studies the effects of deployment on soldiers who go to places like Afghanistan or Iraq. What they have discovered is quite fascinating: with each deployment, the frontal lobe of the brain tends to slow down.
The frontal lobe is crucial for attention and engagement. When it slows down, these functions are impaired. However, in dangerous situations, the frontal lobe becomes active again. This means that when someone is traumatized, their brain is wired to handle danger effectively but struggles with normal, everyday situations, like enjoying a peaceful spring day in Massachusetts.
To understand these changes, we can use quantitative EEGs, which are simpler and cheaper than fMRIs. These brain maps show us the brain’s wiring. Normally, when you close your eyes, your brain should feel relaxed. But for traumatized individuals, closing their eyes triggers high-intensity brainwaves, as if their brain is constantly on alert for danger.
These abnormal brain maps explain why traumatized people often struggle with temper issues, eating disorders, and forming relationships. Their brains are wired to expect danger, making it difficult to engage with the world in a healthy way. However, there’s hope for change.
Neurofeedback is a promising technique that can help rewire the brain. By rewarding the brain for producing calm waves, we can encourage a new configuration that is open to new experiences rather than expecting danger. Although neurofeedback requires more research and support, it holds potential for helping individuals, especially children in foster care, to learn, make friends, and thrive without being labeled as problematic.
In summary, understanding how trauma affects the brain and exploring methods like neurofeedback can pave the way for healing and improved mental health. This approach could transform lives, allowing individuals to engage with the world in a more positive and fulfilling way.
Engage in a hands-on workshop where you will use simulated quantitative EEG data to map brain activity. Analyze how trauma affects brain function and discuss your findings with peers to deepen your understanding of the brain’s response to trauma.
Examine real-life case studies of individuals who have experienced trauma. Identify the impact on their brain function and behavior, and propose potential interventions based on neurofeedback techniques. Present your analysis to the class for feedback and discussion.
Participate in role-playing exercises where you simulate the experience of someone with a trauma-adapted brain. Reflect on the challenges faced in everyday situations and discuss strategies for coping and adaptation with your classmates.
Explore a virtual neurofeedback session using interactive software. Learn how different brainwave patterns are rewarded and discuss the potential benefits and limitations of neurofeedback as a therapeutic tool for trauma recovery.
Work in groups to develop a research proposal that investigates a specific aspect of trauma’s impact on the brain. Consider innovative methods for studying brain function and propose interventions that could be tested in future studies. Present your proposal to the class for critique and suggestions.
Trauma – A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have lasting psychological effects. – After the accident, she underwent therapy to address the trauma and its impact on her mental health.
Brain – The organ in the head of humans and other vertebrates that is responsible for thought, memory, emotion, and sensory processing. – Neuroscientists study the brain to understand how it processes information and regulates behavior.
Frontal Lobe – The part of the brain located at the front of each cerebral hemisphere, associated with reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement, emotions, and problem-solving. – Damage to the frontal lobe can affect personality and decision-making abilities.
Neurofeedback – A therapeutic intervention that provides real-time feedback from brain activity to teach self-regulation of brain function. – Neurofeedback has been used to help individuals with ADHD improve their focus and attention.
EEGs – Electroencephalograms, a test that detects electrical activity in the brain using small electrodes attached to the scalp. – EEGs are often used in research to study brain wave patterns during different cognitive tasks.
Mental Health – A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. – Universities are increasingly providing resources to support students’ mental health during stressful periods.
Relationships – The way in which two or more people or groups regard and behave toward each other, often influencing psychological well-being. – Healthy relationships can provide emotional support and contribute to better mental health outcomes.
Danger – The possibility of suffering harm or injury, which can trigger psychological responses such as fear or anxiety. – The perception of danger can activate the amygdala, leading to a fight-or-flight response.
Deployment – The movement of personnel or equipment to a place for military action, which can have significant psychological effects on those involved. – Soldiers returning from deployment may experience challenges in readjusting to civilian life and may require mental health support.
Healing – The process of recovery from psychological distress or trauma. – Therapeutic interventions can facilitate healing by helping individuals process and integrate traumatic experiences.
