How and what psychological and biological responses enable humans

to adapt to emotional trauma?

Word Count: 2180

Emotional trauma can significantly impact an individual's mental and physical

well-being. Humans can adapt to challenging circumstances and cope with the aftermath of past

trauma. However, a question stands; what psychological and biological responses enable us to do

so? Understanding the mechanisms underlying human adaptation to emotional trauma is vital for

providing effective medical interventions and therapy for those who have experienced such

events. This research paper will explore the types of emotional trauma most commonly

experienced by humans, including but not limited to domestic violence, childhood adversity, car

accidents, natural disasters, rape, and war-related trauma. Furthermore, this paper will dive into

cultural differences in how humans adapt to emotional trauma, resilience, and post-traumatic

growth. Finally, medical interventions available for those suffering from the effects of emotional

trauma: cognitive-behavioral therapy and prescribed medication, will be discussed throughout

this paper.

“Trauma comes from the Greek word for “wound.” Trauma refers either to physical or

psychological, life-threatening injury resulting from catastrophic personal, familial,

or disaster experiences, from which the individual or community cannot escape, but

to which the reaction is one of terror, helplessness, and a sense of being overwhelmed.”(Rahill et

al. 22) Several types of trauma are commonly experienced by humans, both physical and

emotional through both anthropogenic causes or accidents of nature. Emotional trauma refers to
experiences that cause intense psychological distress, such as the loss of a loved one, witnessing

or experiencing violence, or being the victim of emotional abuse or neglect.

One of the most common types of emotional trauma is post-traumatic stress disorder

(PTSD), which can occur after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. The

“American Psychological Association reported that motor vehicle accidents are the most

common cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the general population.”(Christy

Bieber, 2023) Symptoms of PTSD can include intrusive flashbacks, nightmares, feelings of

anxiety and irritability, and avoidance of certain situations. Sexual assault, which includes rape

and other forms of forced sexual contact, is a prevalent form of trauma among women, and teens

are at a higher risk than men. War-related trauma, which includes exposure to conflict and

terrorist attacks, is also a form of trauma that is known to have lasting effects on an individual's

overall health. Natural disasters such as an event as destructive as the Haitian Earthquake can

induce trauma in various ways: parting with loved ones, the loss of property, and displacement.

The primary biological response to trauma is the activation of the stress response system.

When a person experiences trauma, their body releases stress hormones such as cortisol and

adrenaline, which triggers our fight or flight response. This response is a natural survival

mechanism that prepares the body to respond quickly to danger. It increases heart rate, blood

pressure, respiration, and releases glucose to provide energy to the muscles, enabling the

individual to fight or flee from the threat. Lower absolute cortisol levels after accidents have

been found among individuals who later develop PTSD and intrusive memories. Another

biological response to trauma is the release of endorphins; the body's natural painkillers.

Endorphins are released during a traumatic event and help to reduce pain and enhance feelings of

relief. Our immune system also responds to trauma by releasing cytokines, which are proteins
that help to fight infection and inflammation. However, excessive cytokine release can lead to

chronic inflammation, which is correlated with various mental health complications such as

depression and anxiety. Lastly, the brain's reward system may also respond to trauma by

releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward. “The

mesolimbic dopamine system is excited not only by reward but also by aversive stressful stimuli,

which adds further intriguing complexity to the relationship between stress and the reward

system.”(Baik, 2020) “Evidence from human and animal studies suggests that modulation of the

dopaminergic reward system is necessary for monitoring and selecting the optimal process for

coping with these aversive events, indicating that dopaminergic regulation plays an important

role in the pathophysiology of stress-related behaviors” (Baik, 2020)

Common psychological responses to trauma include shock, anger, irregularly fast breath,

disbelief/denial, confusion, guilt, sweating, depression, intense anxiety and fear, bodily

quivering, and evasion of social interaction in the short term. These reactions are common and a

sign that the body is recovering from severe stress: sweating is also a response to stimuli like

stress, anxiety, fear, and pain. However, the responses can be intense, making it difficult for

individuals to process what has happened rationally, manage relationships and cope with daily

stressors. These responses also serve as protective mechanisms that help the individual survive

the traumatic experience and prevent further harm. According to the Mental Health Foundation,

“Anxiety isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can spur us on, help us stay alert, make us aware of

risks, and motivate us to solve problems.” An extreme example of a psychological response to

emotional trauma is Dissociative Identity disorder also known as DID or split personality. DID is

a psychological disorder that is induced by early childhood trauma in which victims will create

multiple personalities to help the main personality deal with trauma. For example, a new

personality will be created to deal with the trauma inflicted so the core identity won’t have to. In
addition, “Those with more severe traumatic experiences in childhood had a smaller

hippocampus.”(Orford, 2021)

Resilience and post-traumatic growth are two related concepts that can help individuals

adapt to emotional trauma. Resilience is the ability to overcome adversity and quickly recover

from stressful situations. It involves having the ability to adapt to hardships, deal with

difficulties, and maintain an upbeat outlook in dire circumstances. Resilience is a dynamic

process that can be built over time through various experiences and practices, rather than an

inherent attribute. The notion of post-traumatic growth is another type of aspect that can emerge

from adversity and trauma. It refers to the beneficial psychological changes that can follow after

experiencing a traumatic event: such as a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in life, a greater

appreciation for life, and increased personal strength. Post-traumatic growth aims to learn from

the trauma, find ways to progress and thrive despite it, and not forget and ignore it. Rahill et al. 's

research state that “wisdom is an essential component of resilience, offering three dimensions of

wisdom as crucial to an understanding of the role it can play in posttraumatic positive

adaptation.” Another important factor in resilience and post-traumatic growth is the presence of

positive psychological resources, such as optimism, hope, and self-efficacy. In the face of

difficulty, these assets can support people in keeping a positive attitude and a sense of control.

An important example of post-traumatic growth is provided by Rahill et al. in their article: In

Their Own Words: Resilience among Haitian Survivors of the 2010 Earthquake, “Before the

earthquake, I[one of the survivors of the 2010 Haitian Earthquake] used to be afraid of blood; but

I found myself lifting people from under the debris which was covered in blood. I will never be

afraid again. Nothing worse could happen than what I have seen and experienced with this

earthquake.” Social support from loved ones, acquaintances, or experts can also offer emotional

support, useful assistance, and a sense of community that can support resilience and

post-traumatic growth. One more important aspect of resilience and post-traumatic growth is

establishing good coping strategies that can help individuals manage and overcome hardships to

come. Coping strategies can include seeking social support, engaging in physical exercise,
practicing mindfulness or meditation, and reframing negative thoughts and beliefs. However,

according to a study conducted in 2019, “There is evidence that trauma and coping are linked,

with cross-sectional work suggesting that individuals with more trauma exposure show poorer

coping ability.” (Jenzer et al, 2021) The quote explains that the ability to cope and the intensity

of the trauma are inversely associated, thus it may be more difficult for individuals with higher

severity of trauma to cope efficiently. Nonetheless, proper outside support from peers or family

is always helpful when an individual is going through adverse times.

How individuals adapt to emotional trauma and how likely they are to experience

traumatic events are heavily influenced by cultural and societal factors. Cultural factors

encompass shared beliefs, values, religions, customs, and practices of a particular group or

society. On the other hand, societal factors refer to the broader social environment in which

individuals live, including the availability of resources, social support, and societal viewpoint

towards trauma and mental health. These factors can shape how individuals perceive, experience,

and cope with traumatic events. In addition, the chances of experiencing trauma are not relatively

equal among individuals. “Poverty puts people at risk for traumatic violence, and not having a

stable residence (homelessness) compounds this risk and further increases the likelihood of

developing PTSD and associated mental health distress and health conditions.” (Ford et al.,

2015) Therefore, people from less developed countries have a higher risk of developing PTSD

through traumatic experiences. Likewise, citizens of countries that are bordering or are in a state

of conflict have a higher probability of experiencing trauma. “Refugees must involuntarily leave

home, community, and family and friends, often with limited resources or preparation and

usually without knowing whom they can trust and where they can find safe passage and a safe

haven. Thus, both prior to and during the displacement, refugees often suffer psychologically

traumatic experiences, including having their community or homes attacked or destroyed due to
war; racially, gender-based, or ethnically targeted genocide or terrorism; institutionally

orchestrated deprivation and violence; along with torture, atrocities, rape, witnessing violence,

fear for their lives, hunger, lack of adequate shelter, separation from loved ones, and destruction

and loss of property”( Ford et al., 2015) As for the Haiti people, religion plays a massive role in

their strong will and resilience. “Werner and Smith’s view of resilience as including a spiritual

stance of faith and prayer was most evident in the initial phase of the study.” (Rahill et al., 29)

Religion acts can assist people who have suffered losses to cope and cling onto hope as they

persist through tough times.

Cultural beliefs and values can influence how individuals understand and make sense of

trauma, and this can affect their emotional reactions and coping strategies. For example, in some

Asian cultures, trauma may be seen as a personal failure or a sign of weakness, leading to

feelings of shame or guilt. In other cultures, trauma may be viewed as a collective experience

that requires communal support and healing rituals. “Often, family and cultural factors combine

to define what is considered an appropriate reaction to illness or trauma. Some families and

cultural groups are less comfortable responding to personal questions about emotional distress.

They may think that being distressed means that there is something mentally wrong.” (What is

Culturally-Sensitive, 2021) In addition, “It also is important to carefully assess factors that are

associated with differential exposure to adverse experiences (such as racial-ethnic

discrimination) or differential access to protective resources (such as income, health care,

education, and police protection), rather than assuming that each member of an ethnocultural

group is identical on these crucial dimensions.” (Ford et al., 2015) For example, individuals with

higher socioeconomic status may have better access to mental health services, while those with
lower socioeconomic status may face barriers in accessing these resources, which can impact

their ability to adapt to trauma.

Medical interventions for individuals who suffer from emotional trauma typically involve

a combination of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches. Pharmacological

interventions may include the use of antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications, which can help

to regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and manage symptoms such as insomnia or flashbacks. These

medications work by targeting imbalances in neurotransmitters in the brain, helping to stabilize

emotions and promote psychological well-being. Psychotherapeutic interventions for emotional

trauma typically involve various evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral

therapy(CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and exposure therapy(EMDR).

CBT aspires to help individuals identify and alternate negative thought patterns and behaviors

that contribute to their emotional distress. EMDR helps patients process and integrate traumatic

memories into their overall life experiences. Exposure therapy exposes individuals to their

triggers or traumatic memories in a safe and controlled environment, helping them to process and

overcome their emotional reactions.

In closing, emotional trauma has significant impacts on people's mental and physical

health, but we, humans, have the ability to adapt and cope with these experiences. Understanding

the psychological and biological responses that allow adaptation to emotional trauma facilitates

the development of effective medical interventions and therapy for those who have experienced

such events. This research paper has investigated different types of emotional trauma that

humans commonly experience, cultural differences in adaptation, resilience, and post-traumatic

growth. Medical interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and medication, have also

been discussed. More research in this area will shed light on the intricate processes underlying
human adaptation to emotional trauma, providing valuable insights for improving the well-being

of those shaped by traumatic incidents.

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