How Trauma Hijacks the Brain: Understanding the Impact on Rational Thinking

We all like to think we’re in control of our decisions, carefully weighing the pros and cons before acting. But for trauma survivors, the brain doesn’t always work that way. Trauma rewires our brain, making it difficult to separate emotional reactions from rational thought. In this blog post, I’m breaking down how trauma affects the brain, specifically its impact on decision-making and emotional regulation.

The Role of the Rational Brain and Emotional Brain

At the core of how we function are two important parts of the brain: the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system. The prefrontal cortex, often referred to as the “rational brain,” helps with logical thinking, planning, and controlling impulses. It’s the voice of reason, helping you weigh your options before making a decision.

The limbic system, on the other hand, is the brain’s emotional center. It’s responsible for feelings like fear, anger, and pleasure. The amygdala, a key player in the limbic system, reacts instinctively to threats, triggering the fight-or-flight response, while the hippocampus stores emotional memories.

When you experience trauma, the balance between these two systems is thrown off. The emotional brain takes over, causing irrational or impulsive decisions based on fear, anxiety, or past trauma.

What Happens When Trauma Takes Over

When trauma rewires the brain, the emotional brain takes precedence over the rational brain. The amygdala becomes hyperactive, constantly scanning for threats, even when there aren’t any. As a result, survivors often feel on edge or experience heightened anxiety in everyday situations. The prefrontal cortex, which normally keeps emotions in check, is suppressed, leading to quick, emotion-driven decisions that don’t always align with logic or reason.

In my own experience, I’ve had moments where my trauma made me react impulsively. Whether it was a move across the country without much thought or reacting with anger to a small inconvenience, I’ve learned firsthand how powerful trauma’s grip on the brain can be.

One notable moment was when I was at Bob Evans, and my emotional response to a situation there was way out of proportion. It wasn’t until later that I realized I was still operating out of a trauma mindset, allowing my emotional brain to hijack my rational thinking.

How Trauma Affects Society

The effects of trauma on decision-making aren’t just limited to individuals; I believe it’s something we can observe in society at large. From social media posts to heated debates, we’re often witnessing a collective emotional overdrive, where reactions seem driven by intense feelings rather than reason or thoughtful consideration. Much like a trauma survivor’s brain, society can fall into cycles of emotional reactivity, where feelings take over rational dialogue.

Rewiring the Brain Through Healing

The good news is that while trauma rewires the brain, healing can rewire it again. There are strategies that help retrain the brain to move from emotional reactivity back to rational thinking. Over time, I’ve incorporated practices that have helped me regain balance between my emotional and rational brains:

• Mindfulness and meditation: These techniques bring the brain back to the present, helping you calm emotional responses and focus on what’s real in the moment.
• Therapy: Tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) have helped me identify irrational thoughts and replace them with more logical, grounded thinking.
• Grounding techniques: Simple exercises like breathing deeply, touching something cold, or counting objects around you help pull your focus away from anxiety and back into reality.
• Physical activity: Moving my body through exercise or gardening helps release feel-good chemicals and reduce stress.

Final Thoughts: Finding Balance

Living with trauma can feel like an ongoing battle between your emotions and your rational thoughts, but balance is possible. With healing practices, it’s possible to rewire the brain and bring the prefrontal cortex back into control. This isn’t an overnight change, but it is a process that brings greater awareness, peace, and emotional regulation.

If you’re a trauma survivor struggling with emotional responses or impulsive decisions, know that you’re not alone. Healing takes time, but by rewiring the brain, you can shift from emotional overdrive to rational calm. I encourage you to take it one day at a time—every step toward healing is a step toward regaining control of your life.

If you are looking for more information on rewiring your brain, I invite you to reach out and we can have a conversation.

Love, Paula