How to Rewire Your Brain to Fight PTSD

Understanding how to rewire your brain can help you bounce back from a traumatic experience. During combat or other violent situations, your brain changes its rhythms, resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder.

The good news is that you can rewire your brain to help you fight PTSD and cope better with it. Many therapists can help you rewire your brain and your mind with techniques that can be used to treat PTSD. Luckily, you don’t really need to go to a professional to achieve this aim.

According to the National Library of Medicine, MRI images and findings of a person suffering from PTSD show the brain’s prefrontal cortex and amygdala are disrupted. When the right frontal cortex (the watchtower) is activated, and the left frontal cortex (the fire alarm) becomes dim, then rewiring is needed to prevent the traumatic brain event from repeating itself in the future.

Rewire Through Assisted Therapy
This process involves the use of medication and a combination of a process called EMDR. EMDR – Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, which uses guided eye movements to teach the brain how to deal with traumatic memories, can help you overcome these symptoms. Read more about EMDR here.

Exposure Therapy
Using exposure therapy, psychologists can help people change their thinking patterns and rewire their brains to fight PTSD. This approach relies on the experimental paradigm of extinction learning.

Rewire Your Brain Through Neurofeedback
The treatment for PTSD isn’t a simple fix. While some medications will only temporarily relieve your symptoms, neurofeedback can help you heal from PTSD. During a neurofeedback session, you’ll be able to control your emotions.

Dr. Caroline Leaf’s Book
“Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health,” offers strategies to rewire the brain and eliminate anxiety, trauma, shame, and bad habits.

Rewire your brain. Image by Gino Crescoli from Pixabay

“MRI findings have implicated that brain regions associated with PTSD pathophysiology include the medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, insula, lentiform nucleus, amygdala, hippocampus and parahippocampus, anterior and posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, cuneus, fusiform and lingual gyri, and the white matter tracts connecting these brain regions” (nih.gov).

When the amygdala is overactive, the window of tolerance for new information is reduced. People with PTSD have difficulty focusing, learning new information, and managing logical thought. Using trauma-informed treatments can help you rewire your brain.

The first step is to be self-aware of your triggers and understand why you may react to them in certain ways. This can be challenging, but it is necessary to remember that the amygdala is responsible for processing emotions and memories.

How to Rewire Your Brain by Using Dr. Caroline’s Method

The first solution to rewiring your brain is by reading a book by Dr. Caroline. “Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health.” The book offers strategies to rewire the brain and eliminate anxiety, trauma, shame, and bad habits. The book focuses on the power of thoughts and how they affect the brain’s structure and function. Dr. Leaf explains that by changing our thinking patterns, we can change our brain structure, leading to positive changes in our behavior and emotions.

Dr. Caroline introduces a 5-step process called the “Switch on Your Brain 5-Step Learning Process,” which involves gathering information about the situation, focusing on the positive and constructive thoughts and emotions that you want to have, understanding the biological and spiritual aspects of the brain and the mind-body connection, using your memory to create repetition and practice to strengthen new neural pathways, and finally the application phase which includes incorporating the new thinking patterns into your daily life to form new habits.

Gathering: Becoming Aware of Our Negative Thought Patterns and Emotions

In this step, the goal is to become aware of our negative thought patterns and emotions. Dr. Leaf emphasizes the importance of being mindful of our thoughts and emotions because they have a direct impact on our brain structure and function.

Negative thoughts and emotions, such as anxiety, trauma, shame, and bad habits, can create toxic patterns in the brain that can lead to negative behaviors and emotions. By becoming aware of these negative patterns, we can begin to change them.

Dr. Leaf suggests that we start by observing our thoughts and emotions throughout the day. We can write them down or simply take mental notes of them. It’s important not to judge or suppress these thoughts and emotions but to simply observe them and acknowledge their presence.

By gathering information about our negative thought patterns and emotions, we can begin to identify triggers and patterns. This information can then be used in the subsequent steps of the learning process to help us rewire our brains and create positive changes in our behavior and emotions.

The gathering step is an essential first step in the process of rewiring the brain. It requires self-awareness and a willingness to observe and acknowledge our negative thought patterns and emotions without judgment.

Focusing: Directing Our Attention to the Positive and Constructive Thoughts and Emotions We Want to Have

In this step, the goal is to direct our attention to the positive and constructive thoughts and emotions we want to have. Dr. Leaf emphasizes that where we focus our attention has a direct impact on our brain structure and function. If we focus on negative thoughts and emotions, we reinforce negative neural pathways in the brain. However, if we focus on positive thoughts and emotions, we can create new and positive neural pathways.

Dr. Leaf suggests that we start by identifying the thoughts and emotions we want to cultivate. For example, instead of focusing on anxiety or shame, we might focus on feelings of calm or self-acceptance. We can then practice directing our attention to these positive thoughts and emotions throughout the day.

One technique Dr. Leaf recommends for focusing is called “the 21-day detox,” where you will intentionally focus on positive thoughts and emotions for 21 days straight. By doing this, you can begin to create new neural pathways in the brain, reinforcing positive thoughts and emotions and weakening negative ones.

Dr. Leaf also suggests using affirmations and visualization to help focus on positive thoughts and emotions. We can create affirmations that reinforce positive beliefs about ourselves and visualize positive outcomes to reinforce positive emotions.

The focusing step is all about intentionally directing our attention to positive thoughts and emotions to create new neural pathways in the brain. With practice and repetition, this can lead to positive changes in our behavior and emotions.

Understanding: Learning About the Biological and Spiritual Aspects of the Brain and the Mind-Body Connection

In this step, the goal is to learn about the biological and spiritual aspects of the brain and the mind-body connection. Dr. Leaf emphasizes the importance of understanding how our thoughts and emotions affect our brain structure and function.

Dr. Leaf explains that our brain is constantly changing and adapting based on our experiences and thoughts. Our thoughts and emotions create neural pathways in the brain, which can either be positive or negative. By understanding how our thoughts and emotions affect our brains, we can begin to take control of our mental and emotional well-being.

Dr. Leaf also emphasizes the importance of the mind-body connection. She explains that our thoughts and emotions have a direct impact on our physical health. Negative thoughts and emotions can lead to physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches. On the other hand, positive thoughts and emotions can improve our physical health and well-being.

One way to gain a better understanding of the brain and the mind-body connection is to read books or attend seminars on the topic. Dr. Leaf’s book, “Switch On Your Brain,” is a great resource for learning about the brain and the mind-body connection.

Another way to gain a better understanding is to practice mindfulness and meditation. Mindfulness involves being present at the moment and observing our thoughts and emotions without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, we can become more aware of how our thoughts and emotions affect our physical and mental well-being.

Overall, the understanding step is about gaining knowledge about the brain and the mind-body connection. By understanding how our thoughts and emotions affect our brain and physical health, we can begin to take control of our mental and emotional well-being.

Memory: Using Repetition and Practice to Strengthen New Neural Pathways

In this step, the goal is to use repetition and practice to strengthen new neural pathways. Dr. Leaf emphasizes the importance of repetition in creating new neural pathways in the brain. With practice and repetition, we can reinforce positive thoughts and emotions and weaken negative ones.

One technique Dr. Leaf recommends for memory is called “write, reflect, and apply.” This involves writing down positive thoughts and emotions and reflecting on them to reinforce them in our memory. We can then apply these positive thoughts and emotions in our daily lives, practicing them regularly to strengthen the associated neural pathways.

Another technique Dr. Leaf recommends is visualization. By visualizing positive outcomes and emotions, we can reinforce the associated neural pathways in the brain. This technique can be particularly effective when combined with repetition and practice.

Dr. Leaf also emphasizes the importance of rest and sleep in strengthening new neural pathways. During sleep, the brain consolidates new information and strengthens neural pathways.

Overall, the memory step is about using repetition and practice to strengthen new neural pathways in the brain. By repeating positive thoughts and emotions and visualizing positive outcomes, we can create new and positive neural pathways that reinforce positive behaviors and emotions. Read about the memory step here.

Application: Incorporating the Newly Found Thinking Patterns Into Our Daily Lives to Form New Habits

The goal of this step is to incorporate the new thinking patterns that you created from the earlier step into your daily lives to form new habits. Dr. Leaf emphasizes the importance of applying the knowledge and techniques we have learned in the previous steps to our daily lives. By doing so, we can create new habits that reinforce positive thoughts and emotions.

Dr. Leaf suggests starting with small, achievable goals and gradually building on them. For example, if your goal is to cultivate feelings of calm and relaxation, you might start by taking a few deep breaths throughout the day or practicing mindfulness for a few minutes each day. As we become more comfortable with these practices, we can gradually increase the time and frequency of the practices.

Another technique Dr. Leaf recommends for application is to surround yourself with positive influences. This might include spending time with supportive friends and family, reading uplifting books, or listening to positive music. By surrounding yourselves with positive influences, we can reinforce positive thoughts and emotions and create a supportive environment for your new habits.

Dr. Leaf also emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and patience in the application process. Creating new habits takes time and effort, and it’s important to be kind and patient with yourselves as you work toward your goals.

The application step is about incorporating the newly found thinking patterns from your previous step into your daily lives to form new habits. By starting small and building gradually, surrounding yourselves with positive influences, and practicing self-compassion and patience, we can create lasting positive changes in your behavior and emotions.

Dr. Leaf also discusses the importance of meditation, prayer, and gratitude in rewiring the brain and promoting mental and emotional well-being.

Overall, the book offers practical strategies and insights to help readers take control of their thoughts and rewire their brains for a more positive and fulfilling life.

Rewire Through Assisted Therapy

This process involves the use of medication and a combination of a process called EMDR. EMDR – Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, which uses guided eye movements to teach the brain how to deal with traumatic memories, can help you overcome these symptoms. Read more about EMDR here.

When you experience a traumatic event, your brain’s responses will likely be triggered by adrenalin. This will cause your brain to disconnect from your reasoning part, which will not allow you to rationalize. This means you won’t be able to rewire your brain, but you can use these techniques to help your brain cope. If you can learn to stop reliving your experiences, you can heal from PTSD.

Exposure Therapy

Using exposure therapy, psychologists can help people change their thinking patterns and rewire their brains to fight PTSD. This approach relies on the experimental paradigm of extinction learning. By training the brain to forget a memory, a person can move on with their life. During a stressful relapse, this technique can cause panic or a relapse. However, the process is a long one that can take time and requires persistence.

Rewire Your Brain Through Neurofeedback

The treatment for PTSD isn’t a simple fix. While some medications will only temporarily relieve your symptoms, neurofeedback can help you heal from PTSD. During a neurofeedback session, you’ll be able to control your emotions. Moreover, the therapy will help you remember your experiences, which is key in preventing relapses. The process of rewiring your brain will make your PTSD symptom-free and less severe.

One of the most important parts of the brain, the hippocampus, is affected by PTSD. This region regulates memory and the ability to differentiate between past and present experiences. The damage to the hippocampus causes sufferers to be confused, easily distracted, and unable to differentiate between past and present experiences. The result is that these individuals are often unable to distinguish between their past and present experiences.

While neurofeedback can help you rewire your brain to rewire your PTSD symptoms, it can be difficult to remember the details. When the fear of danger strikes, the hippocampus kicks in and helps to regulate emotions. As the trauma passes, the amygdala resumes its normal functions, and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex completes the circuit. This is an important part of the treatment process and can help you rewire your brain to fight PTSD.

In conclusion, you can rewire your brain by using Dr. Caroline’s 5-step process, assisted therapy, exposure therapy, and neurofeedback.

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31515885/
https://1emdr.com/blog-emdr-therapy/
American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5 Task Force. Posttraumatic stress disorder. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013. p 271-280.
Koenen KC, Ratanatharathorn A, Ng L, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder in the World Mental Health Surveys. Psychol Med 2017;47:2260-2274.
Shalev A, Liberzon I, Marmar C. Post-traumatic stress disorder. N Engl J Med 2017;376:2459-2469.
Benjet C, Bromet E, Karam EG, et al. The epidemiology of traumatic event exposure worldwide: Results from the World Mental Health Survey Consortium. Psychol Med 2016;46:327-343.
Berger W, Coutinho ES, Figueira I, et al. Rescuers at risk: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis of the worldwide current prevalence and correlates of PTSD in rescue workers. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2012;47:1001-1011.

Originally posted 2021-11-20 04:26:22.

Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing

EMDR Therapy

How to Rewire Your Brain to Fight PTSD