7. 23. 24

Traumatic memories are frequently fragmented and incomplete, a phenomenon extensively studied and documented in psychology and neuroscience. This fragmentation can be attributed to how the brain processes and stores memories under extreme stress.

The Brain's Response to Trauma

When a person experiences trauma, the brain's primary focus is survival. The amygdala, responsible for the fight-or-flight response, becomes hyperactive, while the prefrontal cortex, which manages higher-order thinking and memory integration, is impaired. This disruption leads to fragmented encoding of the traumatic event (van der Kolk, B. A., 2014, "The Body Keeps the Score").

Dissociation and Memory Encoding

Dissociation, a common reaction during trauma, plays a significant role in memory fragmentation. Dissociation involves a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory. When individuals dissociate, their ability to fully process and store memories is compromised. As a result, traumatic memories are often stored in a disjointed manner, lacking coherence and continuity (Bremner, J. D., 2006, "Traumatic stress: effects on the brain").

Impact on the Hippocampus

The hippocampus, which is critical for forming and retrieving memories, is also affected by trauma. High levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, can impair the hippocampus's function. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to trauma can reduce the size and efficiency of the hippocampus, further contributing to the fragmented nature of traumatic memories (Sapolsky, R. M., 2000, "Glucocorticoids and hippocampal atrophy in neuropsychiatric disorders").

Sensory and Emotional Fragmentation

Traumatic memories are often encoded as sensory fragments rather than coherent narratives. Survivors may vividly remember specific sounds, images, or smells associated with the trauma, but struggle to piece these fragments together into a comprehensive story. This sensory-based storage is partly because the brain prioritizes immediate sensory information during traumatic events, leaving gaps in the narrative structure (Ehlers, A., & Clark, D. M., 2000, "A cognitive model of posttraumatic stress disorder").

Conclusion

Understanding why traumatic memories are fragmented and incomplete is crucial for developing effective therapeutic interventions. Techniques such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are designed to help individuals integrate these fragments into a cohesive narrative, promoting healing and recovery.

Sources:

• van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.

• Bremner, J. D. (2006). "Traumatic stress: effects on the brain". Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience.

• Sapolsky, R. M. (2000). "Glucocorticoids and hippocampal atrophy in neuropsychiatric disorders". Archives of General Psychiatry.

• Ehlers, A., & Clark, D. M. (2000). "A cognitive model of posttraumatic stress disorder". Behaviour Research and Therapy.