Understanding PTSD's Effects on Brain, Body, and Emotions | Janet Seahorn | TEDxCSU

The speaker, who has a background in Neuroscience and is an identical twin, humorously describes the stress her husband might feel having married her, hinting at the complexity of her life and the topic she will discuss: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She uses the analogy of Humpty Dumpty to illustrate the sudden and drastic change that trauma can cause in a person's mind and body. The speaker emphasizes PTSD as a 'hidden wound' or 'Silent Scream,' often invisible to others. She shares her personal connection to PTSD through her husband, a Vietnam veteran, who experienced life-threatening events during his service. The speaker also mentions the rise of PTSD cases due to cyberbullying, particularly among young people, and the staggering number of suicides in her county, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.

The speaker challenges the term 'disorder' in relation to PTSD, arguing that from a neurological standpoint, it is more accurately a 'reordering' of neural networks and sensory pathways to ensure survival in dangerous situations. She explains the brain's function as a survival tool, shaped by experiences, both positive and negative. The speaker describes the brain's stress response, detailing how the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala react to perceived threats, leading to the release of stress hormones and the body's fight-or-flight response. She uses her husband's reactions to being late and a theme park ride as examples of how PTSD can manifest in hypervigilance, hyperarousal, and emotional triggers stemming from past traumatic experiences.

The speaker recounts a specific incident at an amusement park that triggered a traumatic flashback for her husband, who was in a helicopter crash during the Vietnam War. This episode led to an immediate and intense physical reaction, illustrating the profound impact that seemingly harmless stimuli can have on individuals with PTSD. She discusses the broader implications of trauma on personality, leading to increased anxiety, irritability, anger, detachment, and isolation. The speaker also addresses the long-term physical health consequences of untreated PTSD, such as hypertension, strokes, heart attacks, obesity, diabetes, ulcers, and chronic fatigue syndrome. She concludes this section by emphasizing the importance of healing through various therapies and practices that can help reset the body's natural rhythms and promote a return to a healthier state of being.

In the final paragraph, the speaker shifts the focus to the process of healing from trauma. She mentions cognitive therapy, biofeedback, exercise, and mind-body practices like massage, yoga, tai chi, and meditation as effective methods for recovery. The speaker shares personal anecdotes, such as the calming effect of fly fishing and the therapeutic presence of their service dog, Bailey. She concludes with a message of hope and empowerment, stating that through understanding and practice, individuals can overcome the challenges of PTSD and emerge stronger, more compassionate, and more grateful. The speaker invokes the wisdom of personal growth and the journey of self-discovery, ending her talk with a recitation of the Serenity Prayer, symbolizing the acceptance and healing that comes from facing and addressing the effects of trauma.