Facing a PTSD diagnosis is scary. But staring down this disorder alongside a TBI feels insurmountable. How does PTSD affect the brain when combined with a TBI? As a trusted provider of PTSD treatment in NYC, Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. explores how brain injuries impact your PTSD prognosis below.
How Does PTSD Affect the Brain?
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental illness some people develop after surviving or witnessing traumatic events like car wrecks, deaths, and other tragedies. The National Center of PTSD estimates six percent of American adults will develop PTSD. If you struggle with this disorder, you might wrestle with:
- Intense nightmares
- Lęk i depresja
- Sudden anger or irritability
- Persistent thoughts regarding the traumatic experience
The PTSD brain impact causes hyperactivity in some brain areas while shrinking the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Its obvious physical effects on the brain mean that neurological treatment may help mitigate it.
What About Traumatic Brain Injuries?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when a person or object applies blunt force to the head. Car wrecks, fallen heavy items, and physical violence can cause a TBI. The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Brain Injury and Repair broke down statistics estimating that TBIs cause 100,000 annual deaths.
If you sustain a TBI after an injurious experience, you might face:
- Physical symptoms: Headaches, nausea, ear ringing, and fatigue may accompany even minor TBIs.
- Behavior or cognitive changes: Some patients become alarmed at personality changes, sudden mood swings, or random bouts of confusion.
- Mental health struggles: A TBI can decrease your mental health by sharpening anxiety and depression.
As you can see, trauma and brain function go hand in hand, whether the effects count as a mental health disorder or a physical injury. But how does PTSD affect the brain compared to TBIs? Are they the same things?
Does PTSD Count as a TBI?
No, PTSD is not a TBI. Both have separate definitions. How does PTSD affect the brain, exactly?
The PTSD effects on the brain alter the structure without causing a soft tissue or skull injury. The areas most frequently affected handle:
- Fear responses
- Pamięć
- Decision making
- Concentration
TBIs can affect a broader area of tissues, depending on where the injury occurred. That being said, PTSD and brain injuries frequently occur together. Even if they don’t occur consecutively, one may impact or worsen the other.
The Handbook of Clinical Neurology examines data that connects PTSD with TBIs. It shows that some brain injuries have similar symptoms as PTSD. Plus, brain injuries typically occur because of or during a traumatic event, so it makes sense that PTSD would frequently develop alongside a TBI.
Since PTSD is broadly recognized as a mental disorder, many people may keep their TBI and PTSD diagnoses and subsequent treatments separate. Can neurological treatments help you heal your PTSD? It sometimes can since PTSD does affect brain structure and function in such dramatic ways.
Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C Makes PTSD and TBI Recovery Possible
How does PTSD affect the brain? It can change the brain’s shape and the size of some neurological parts, which affects how a person responds to the world. It sometimes goes hand in hand with TBIs like stroke. Try exploring the connection between stroke and sleep apnea to better understand these conditions.
Book an appointment at Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. While we accept some insurance plans, coverage varies. To confirm your specific plan is accepted, please call our office or email us at info@neuroinjurycare.com to verify your coverage before scheduling your appointment.
FAQs
TBI and PTSD neurological effects are often alarming, complicated, and difficult to navigate. We answered some questions our patients often have below.
Can You See PTSD on Brain Scans?
Yes, you can see PTSD on brain scans. Results may show noticeable brain changes from PTSD in specific areas like the hippocampus and limbic area.
Can I Rewire My PTSD Brain?
Yes, you can rewire your PTSD brain through consistent neurological and psychological treatment. The changes in your PTSD brain function may take months or years to notice.
Is PTSD a Neurological or Psychological Disorder?
PTSD is predominantly a psychological disorder with neurological comorbidities. That means you should treat your PTSD as a mental illness but use neurological approaches to manage the physical brain changes that come with it, especially if you also sustained a TBI.
How Does PTSD Affect the Brain Differently with a TBI?
First, how does PTSD affect the brain in general? It influences your brain to change physically, thus impacting your cognitive abilities and behavior. PTSD affects the brain differently with a TBI in that the TBI may exacerbate PTSD symptoms or cause additional symptoms, worsening the patient’s experience.
