What causes brain shrinkage and has it start happening to you?
- Feb 26
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Trauma is a profound and often devastating experience that can leave lasting scars on the brain. It can alter the way we think, feel, and behave, often in ways that are difficult to understand and manage. One of the most significant impacts of trauma is its ability to shrink the brain, particularly in areas responsible for rational thought, memory, and emotional regulation. This shrinkage can create a vicious cycle of fear and irrational thinking, making it even harder for individuals to cope with stress and trauma. In this blog, we will explore how trauma affects the brain, the role of the fawn response in trauma, and the importance of managing stress to prevent these detrimental effects.
How Trauma Shrinks the Brain
What causes brain shrinkage and has it start happening to you? Trauma can cause significant changes in the brain's structure and function. One of the most well-documented effects is the shrinkage of certain brain regions, particularly the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. These areas are crucial for memory, emotional regulation, and rational thought.
The Hippocampus
The hippocampus is a critical region for memory formation and retrieval. Research has shown that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often have a smaller hippocampus compared to those without PTSD. This shrinkage can impair the ability to form new memories and retrieve old ones, leading to difficulties in learning and recalling information.
The Amygdala
The amygdala is responsible for processing emotions, particularly fear. Trauma can cause the amygdala to become hyperactive, leading to an exaggerated fear response. This hyperactivity can also contribute to the shrinkage of the amygdala, further impairing emotional regulation and increasing anxiety and fear.
The Prefrontal Cortex
The prefrontal cortex is involved in rational thought, decision-making, and impulse control. Trauma can reduce the size and functionality of the prefrontal cortex, making it harder for individuals to think clearly and make rational decisions. This impairment can lead to a cycle of irrational thinking and fear, further exacerbating the effects of trauma.
What causes brain shrinkage and has it start happening to you?
The shrinkage of these brain regions can create a vicious cycle of fear and irrational thinking. When the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex are impaired, it becomes harder for individuals to process and regulate their emotions. This can lead to an increase in fear and anxiety, which in turn can further impair these brain regions.
Impaired Rational Thought
The prefrontal cortex's reduced functionality can make it difficult for individuals to think rationally and make sound decisions. This impairment can lead to irrational thoughts and behaviors, which can increase stress and anxiety. As stress and anxiety increase, the prefrontal cortex becomes even more impaired, creating a cycle of irrational thinking and fear.
Increased Fear Response
The hyperactivity of the amygdala can lead to an exaggerated fear response, making individuals more sensitive to potential threats. This heightened fear response can further impair the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, making it even harder to regulate emotions and think rationally. As fear and anxiety increase, the amygdala becomes even more hyperactive, creating a cycle of fear and irrational thinking.
The Fawn Response in Trauma
In addition to the well-known fight, flight, and freeze responses, trauma can also trigger a fawn response. The fawn response is a survival mechanism where individuals try to appease and please others to avoid conflict and ensure their safety3. This response can be particularly common in individuals who have experienced long-term, relational trauma.
What is the Fawn Response?
The fawn response involves abandoning one's own needs and desires to serve others and avoid conflict. This can manifest as people-pleasing, codependency, and a lack of assertiveness. Individuals who exhibit the fawn response may have difficulty saying "no," fear expressing their true feelings, and prioritize others' needs over their own.
Causes of the Fawn Response
The fawn response is often rooted in childhood experiences of neglect, abuse, or inconsistent caregiving. Children who grow up in environments where their needs are invalidated or punished may learn to prioritize others' needs to avoid further harm. This adaptive mechanism can become ingrained and persist into adulthood, leading to chronic people-pleasing and codependency.
Impact of the Fawn Response
The fawn response can have significant negative impacts on an individual's mental health and well-being. By constantly prioritizing others' needs over their own, individuals may neglect their own self-care and emotional needs. This can lead to feelings of resentment, burnout, and a lack of self-worth. Additionally, the fawn response can reinforce the cycle of trauma by perpetuating unhealthy relationships and preventing individuals from setting healthy boundaries.
The Importance of Managing Stress
Failing to manage stress can exacerbate the effects of trauma and contribute to the shrinkage of the brain. Chronic stress can lead to the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can damage brain cells and impair brain function. Managing stress is crucial for preventing the detrimental effects of trauma and promoting brain health.
Strategies for Managing Stress
There are several strategies that individuals can use to manage stress and promote brain health:
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, allowing them to regulate their stress response more effectively.
Exercise: Regular physical activity can reduce stress and promote the growth of new brain cells, particularly in the hippocampus.
Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients can support brain health and reduce the effects of stress.
Therapy: Seeking therapy, particularly trauma-focused therapy, can help individuals process and heal from trauma, reducing its impact on the brain.
Social Support: Building and maintaining strong social connections can provide emotional support and reduce stress.
Conclusion
Trauma can have profound and lasting effects on the brain, leading to shrinkage in key areas responsible for memory, emotional regulation, and rational thought. This shrinkage can create a vicious cycle of fear and irrational thinking, making it even harder for individuals to cope with stress and trauma. The fawn response is a lesser-known but significant trauma response that can perpetuate unhealthy relationships and prevent individuals from setting healthy boundaries. Managing stress is crucial for preventing the detrimental effects of trauma and promoting brain health. By understanding the impact of trauma on the brain and implementing strategies to manage stress, individuals can break the cycle of fear and irrational thinking and promote healing and resilience.
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Traumatology - American Psychological Association (APA). Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/trm/
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/tra/
ScienceDaily. (2023). Brain Trauma and Dementia: The Shocking Blood Vessel Breakdown Scientists Just Found. Retrieved from https://scitechdaily.com/brain-trauma-and-dementia-the-shocking-blood-vessel-breakdown-scientists-just-found/
Medical News Today. (2023). Traumatic brain injuries have toxic effects that last weeks. Antioxidant addresses that damage in mice. Retrieved from https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/traumatic-brain-injuries-have-toxic-effects-that-last-weeks-antioxidant-addresses-that-damage-in-mice/
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. (2023). Shrinkage in Brain Structure Linked to Severe PTSD Symptoms, Combat Exposure. Retrieved from https://bbrfoundation.org/content/shrinkage-brain-structure-linked-severe-ptsd-symptoms-combat-exposure
Psycheducation.org. (2023). Chapter 11: Can the Shrinkage Be Reversed? Retrieved from https://psycheducation.org/chapter-11-can-the-shrinkage-be-reversed/
Neurolaunch. (2023). Brain Shrinkage: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Guide. Retrieved from https://neurolaunch.com/brain-shrinkage-symptoms/
Psych Central. (2023). The Fawn Response: How Trauma Can Lead to People-Pleasing. Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/health/fawn-response
Psychology Today. (2023). What Is the Fawning Trauma Response? Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emotional-sobriety/202303/what-is-the-fawning-trauma-response
PTSDinfo.org. (2023). Fawn Trauma Response | Causes And Examples. Retrieved from https://ptsdinfo.org/fawn-trauma-response/
SpringerLink. (2014). Trauma Through the Life Cycle: A Review of Current Literature. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10615-014-0496-z
