Neurobiological Impact of Psychological Trauma on the HPA Axis

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16 Jul 2021

Dr Dawn Elise Snipes explores the impact of trauma on the HPA Axis and how it can develop into PTSD Did you know that many traumatic reactions are expected and not everyone who experiences a trauma develops PTSD A direct link to the CEU course is a https 3A 2F 2Fwww allceus com 2Fmember 2Fcart 2Findex 2Fproduct 2Fid 2F1169 2Fc 2F a PTSDawareness AllCEUs provides counseloreducation and CEUs for LPCs LMHCs LMFTs and LCSWs as well as addiction counselor precertification training and continuing education Live Interactive Webinars 5 a https 3A 2F 2Fwww allceus com 2Flive-interactive-webinars 2F a Unlimited Counseling CEs for 59 a https 3A 2F 2Fwww allceus com 2F a AddictionCounselor and RecoveryCoach a https 3A 2F 2Fwww allceus com 2F a certificate-tracks Pinterest drsnipes Podcast a https 3A 2F 2Fwww allceus com 2F a counselortoolbox Nurses addiction and mentalhealth counselors socialworkers and marriage and family therapists can earn CEUs for this and other presentations at AllCEUs com AllCEUs courses are accepted in most states because we are approved as an education provider for NAADAC the States of Florida and Texas Boards of Social Work and Mental Health Professional Counseling the California Consortium for Addiction Professionals and Professions This was recorded as part of a live webinar Neurobiological abnormalities in PTSD overlap with features found in traumatic brain injury The response of an individual to trauma depends not only on stressor characteristics but also on factors specific to the individual Perception of stressor Proximity to safe zones Similarity to victim Degree of helplessness Prior traumatic experiences Amount of stress in the preceding months Current mental health or addiction issues Availability of social support Introduction For the vast majority of the population the psychological trauma is limited to an acute transient disturbance The signs and symptoms of PTSD reflect a persistent abnormal adaptation of neurobiological systems to the witnessed trauma What is the HPA Axis Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis AKA the Threat Response System Controls reactions to stress and regulates many body processes including digestion the immune system mood and emotions sexuality and energy storage and expenditure The ultimate result of the HPA axis activation is to increase levels of cortisol in the blood during times of stress Cortisol's main role is in releasing glucose into the bloodstream in order to facilitate the flight or fight response It also suppresses and modulates the immune system digestive system and reproductive system HPA-Axis Dysfunction The body reduces its HPA axis activation when it appears that further fight flight may not be beneficial Hypocortisolism Hypocortisolism seen in stress-related disorders such as CFS burnout and PTSD is actually a protective mechanism designed to conserve energy during threats that are beyond the organism's ability to cope Dysfunctional HPA axis activation will result in Abnormal immune system activation Increased inflammation and allergic reactions IBS symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea Reduced tolerance to physical and mental stresses including pain Altered levels of sex hormones Summary A variety of changes take place in the brains and nervous systems of persons with PTSD Pre-existing issues causing hypocortisolism the brain has already down regulated increases the likelihood of the development of PTSD This points to the importance of prevention and early intervention of adverse childhood experiences People with hypocorticolism may or may not have PTSD Hypocorticolism sets the stage for the Flat and the Furious toxic levels of glutamate upon exposure to stressors reduction of hippocampal volume persistent negative brain changes Summary People with PTSD are more reactive to emotional stimuli even stimuli unrelated to trauma Hypocorticolism results when the brain perceives that continued effort is futile Feelings of fatigue set in akin to reduced stress tolerance Reducing fatigue can be accomplished in part with psychological factors including Motivation Knowledge of competitors Feedback frequent successes Knowledge of an endpoint Summary 46 of people in the US are exposed to adverse childhood experiences Early Intervention Instruction in skills to handle emotional dysregulation Mindfulness Vulnerability prevention and awareness Emotion Regulation Distress Tolerance Problem Solving Of those exposed to trauma education about and normalization of heightened emotional reactivity and susceptibility to PTSD in the future may be helpful