Understanding the Neurobiology of

Trauma

Sunni D. Ward, MSVictim Assistance Coordinator, Elbert County Sheriff’s Office February 19,2013

Objectives• Discuss victim behavior and

examine research on neurobiology of trauma

• Discuss how neurobiology research findings can change practice and inform service providers

Trauma: What is it?

Physical Trauma- serious bodily injury or wound; life threatening, potentially resulting in death

Psychological Trauma- psychological or emotional damage A psychologically upsetting

experience that produces a mental disorder or otherwise has lasting negative effects on a person’s thoughts, feelings and behavior

Trauma: What is it?

Domestic ViolenceHomicideMass CasualtiesKidnappingPhysical, Sexual, Emotional abuseSchool violenceSevere Motor vehicle accidentsWitnessing or hearing about any of the

above

Trauma: What is it?

Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/JUSTICE/

Trauma: What is it?

Anger

Fear

DEPRESSION

AnxietySafety

Trauma: What is it?

Anger

Fear

DEPRESSION

Anxiety

Safety

Property Loss

Family IssuesMedical Expenses

Loss Wages

Trauma: What is it?

Anger

Fear

DEPRESSION

Anxiety

Safety

Property Loss

Family IssuesMedical Expenses

Loss Wages

Interaction with Police

LAWS CONCERNING CRIMEIntimidating Judges

Trauma: What do we do?

• Establish a rapport/EmpathyI am so sorry this happened to youThis must be a very difficult time for you right now

• IdentificationWhat I hear you saying is…..I can see/hear you are angry

• ValidationWhat you are feeling is normalThis is NOT your fault

Key Elements to Consider When Communicating with Victims

Neurobiology of Trauma: What is it?

Psychological Trauma- A psychologically upsetting

experience that produces a mental disorder or otherwise has lasting negative effects on a person’s thoughts, feelings and behavior

Neurobiology of Trauma: What is it?

Over the last decade or so, there has been a tremendous amount of research on neuroscience and trauma:

Psychological trauma is the unique individual experience of an event or enduring conditions, in which: The individual’s ability to integrate his/her

emotional experience is overwhelmed; or The individual experiences (subjectively) a

threat to life, body integrity, or sanity (Pearlman Saakvitne, 1995,p. 60)

Our brains are pliable and have a plasticity to them that allows for structure and function changes in response to experience.

Neurobiology of Trauma: What is it?

~”The Body Keeps the Score”

Bessel Van de Kolk

Structures of the Brain: The Limbic

System

Structures of the Brain: The Limbic

System

Reception Center- Receives info in through the senses- relays to Pre-Frontal Cortex and Amygdala

Organization Center- Responsible for encoding information and storing information into memory

Emotional CenterConcerned with survival

Thermostat- Concerned w/ homeostasis; releases neurohormones

Executive Center- Responsible for decision-making, planning, reasoning

Why Is this Relevant??

“Complex Compoundin

g victim issues”

CompassionFatigue

Secondary Victimization

Decreased victim

participation/engagement

Challenging behavior

Neurobiological Reasons

Concluding Thoughts

Neuroscience research provides an important biological foundation for understanding the impact of our work

Understanding the neurobiology of trauma gives us as direct service providers an opportunity to inform others in our profession about what might be going on with victims during an interview, or during victim notification, or at trial.

Additionally, it will help us pinpoint the types of interventions that are most helpful to victims.