Why trauma changes how our memory engages with our conscious experience

Traumatic experiences can leave lasting imprints on an individual's memory and behavior, altering the way they recall and engage with such memories in their conscious lives. Michele Patterson Ford, a psychologist, has observed this phenomenon firsthand in her academic and clinical practice. Trauma can distort how memories are stored and retrieved in the brain, leading to fragmented and often contradictory accounts of the event.

Unlike more common memories like sadness or joy, traumatic memories tend to involve disconnected fragments of sensations, emotions, smells, and images. These memories can re-experience the threat as if it's happening in the moment, causing a person to feel the urge to fight, flee, or freeze. Despite appearances, such reactions are not contradictory but rather expected responses to trauma.

Survivors of trauma may not meet the criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but still grapple with distress, depression, or anxiety. The hippocampus, responsible for memory storage, and the amygdala, which processes emotions, are the two brain structures most involved in storing traumatic memories. The amygdala becomes highly active during trauma, processing emotions like fear, while the hippocampus becomes overwhelmed by stress, causing problems with memory storage.

Consequently, traumatic memories do not follow a clear, linear narrative. Instead, they present as disconnected fragments of sensations, emotions, smells, or images, making it difficult for individuals to recall the incident later, particularly under stressful circumstances. People witnessing or hearing about these memories may question the survivor's credibility or expect a more coherent narrative.

However, understanding the science behind how trauma affects memory and behavior can help increase empathy and reduce judgment.