#brainofsurvivor

[elitethinker]

. The Cerebral Cortex is the largest part of the human brain and is responsible for rational thinking, making decisions, determining whether a situation is safe or dangerous, etc., and is probably the most active part of the brain in "normal" people. . The Amygdala, the smallest part of the brain, however, is the Ruler of an Abuse Survivor's brain. Our critical developmental years were spent in Survival Mode due to our abuse: we were always on high alert, looking for ways to avert impending danger and how to minimize the effects in the Danger Zone most of us called "home". . We were NEVER safe, and were the most vulerable when we were asleep. Our bodies were constantly bathed in Adrenaline and Cortisol, chemicals that are only supposed to be released under times of Fight or Flight, and our bodies may not know how to function without them. . Although we may Physically be Safe, we may not FEEL safe. Seemingly harmless things, smells, tones of voice, spoken words and phrases, and situations, can sound the Alert and the Amygdala "hijacks" the Cerebral Cortex (the Amygdala is moving at the speed of light while the Cerebral Cortex is as slow as molasses in January). . This may result in Panic Attacks, Dissociation, Shutting Down, Fleeing, Hiding, or any number of "Undesirable" Behaviors (for us and/ or others). Everyone understands and sympathizes with Veterans when this happens because we know it's probably a result of PTSD because of what they've seen and experienced. . Abuse Survivors and Victims also have forms of PTSD, Complex PTSD (exposed to trauma over an extended period of time) and Developmental PTSD (extended exposure to trauma during the developmental years), because of our abuse. Our brains are often indistinguishable from combat Veterans due to our experiences and should be given at least the same understanding and sympathy. . . Cr: @isuvoa & @aptsda . . . #amygdala #cerebralcortex #brain #brainofsurvivor #survivor #victim #sexualabuse #childabuse #siblingabuse #childabuseawareness #sexualabusesawareness #awareness #endsexabuse #stopsexabuse #education #ptsd #cptsd #dptsd #trauma #chilhoodtrauma https://www.instagram.com/p/BpYNO7KncCF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hv9kwd0phz4r