Understanding Trauma and the Effects on the Brain and the Body

Trauma is a critical yet frequently misunderstood influence on mental and physical wellbeing. According to the Blue Knot Foundation—Australia’s National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma—trauma is a state of overwhelming threat that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope, whether through physical harm, emotional abuse, or neglect.

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What Is Trauma?

The Blue Knot Foundation describes trauma as more than just a single distressing incident—it’s an experience that undermines safety, control, or self coherence, leaving a lasting mark on a person. What is traumatic for one individual may not necessarily be for another; the impact is deeply personal.

Types of Trauma 

• Single incident (acute) trauma A one off event—like an accident, natural disaster or assault—that may trigger Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

• Chronic trauma Repeated and prolonged harm, such as ongoing domestic violence or workplace bullying.

• Complex trauma Multiple or prolonged traumatic events, typically interpersonal in nature—especially when experienced in childhood. Complex trauma often involves betrayal, lack of safety, and deeply relational violations.

  
  

Effects on the Brain

Trauma reshapes key brain systems:

• The amygdala becomes hyper responsive, primed to detect danger—even when none exists.

• The hippocampus, pivotal for memory processing, may shrink or malfunction, causing fragmented recall and flashbacks.

• The prefrontal cortex, critical for self regulation and reasoning, often becomes underactive—making it difficult to calm distress or regulate emotions.

When trauma is sustained, particularly from early life, these changes persist. Childhood trauma disrupts neurodevelopment, altering hormone systems, immune response, and emotional regulation well into adulthood.

Effects on the Body

Trauma doesn’t just affect the mind; it imprints on physiology:

• Endocrine and immune dysregulation—chronic stress may lead to adrenal exhaustion, inflammatory diseases, fatigue disorders, and metabolic issues like irritable bowel or chronic pain.

• Autonomic dysfunction—the fight-flight-freeze response becomes overactive, making the body prone to stress responses even in safe contexts.

• Long term health risks—prolonged trauma significantly increases the likelihood of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune illnesses.

  
  

Effects on Relationships and Self

Trauma can deeply affect the way individuals relate to themselves and others. According to the Blue Knot Foundation, trauma—particularly when relational or chronic—can disrupt a person’s core sense of identity, safety, and trust.

Many people who have experienced trauma struggle with:

• Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships Trauma survivors may find it challenging to trust others, establish boundaries, or feel safe in close emotional proximity. This can lead to social withdrawal or unhealthy relationship patterns.

• Shame and low self worth Especially in complex trauma, individuals may internalise blame for what happened, resulting in persistent feelings of guilt, inadequacy, or unworthiness.

• Disrupted attachment styles Trauma in early life often impacts attachment, influencing how a person connects with others as an adult—sometimes leading to anxious, avoidant, or disorganised relationship behaviours.

• Identity confusion Survivors may struggle with a stable sense of self, particularly if trauma occurred over long periods or during childhood. This can manifest as feeling "broken," lost, or detached from one's values and goals.

  
  

Why It Matters

Understanding how trauma impacts both brain and body is essential for trauma informed care. Effective treatment must first attend to safety and stabilisation, before therapeutic processing and integration can take place.

Pathways to Recovery

• Trauma informed therapy: Safe, phased models (e.g. TF‑CBT, EMDR) guided by trained professionals are central to healing.

• Stabilisation & regulation: Learning grounding, mindfulness, breathing and body-based regulation helps reconnect to the body and reduce overwhelm.

• Strength based support: Building on survivors’ resilience—treating coping behaviours as adaptive responses, not pathology.

• Holistic trauma informed systems: A trauma informed approach across healthcare, schools, and community helps prevent re-traumatisation and supports recovery opportunities.

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Summary

Trauma overwhelms a person’s ability to cope and profoundly affects both brain function and body systems. It may take the form of a single incident, repeated (chronic) harm, or complex trauma—often interpersonal and experienced over time, particularly in childhood—with complex trauma typically having the most significant long term physiological impact. True recovery involves more than reducing distress; it includes improving overall health and restoring relationships. This is best achieved through phased, trauma informed support that acknowledges how deeply trauma is embedded in both the mind and body.

By recognising trauma’s complex imprint on physiological and emotional systems, we can better support survivors—not just psychologically, but holistically in every sense.