PTSD
By: Sarah Gronau
Brain Areas
PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects the amygdala, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and the hippocampus.
Amygdala
The amygdala is responsible for emotions. It is also in front of the hippocampus. If you have PTSD, there is more activity in this area.
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is is responsible for converting short-term memory to long-term memory. The more severe the PTSD symptoms are, the smaller the hippocampus.
Ventromedial prefrontal cortex
It is involved in the "emotional process" and "decision making" If you have PTSD, this area has less activity.
Nervous Areas
PTSD affects the Autonomic Nervous System. During the tramuatic event the Sympathic Nervous system kicks in a produces an adrenaline rush. Then the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in after the event and calms the nervous system.
Everyday life change
One way someone's life would change is that they may lose their ability to laugh and make jokes. It is as if their humor is completely gone, and has disappeared.
Another way is that people become so angry that the anger stays the whole 24 hrs. The anger can be so out of control that it ruins their family life.
7.7million people 18 and older have PTSD
Psychological
I believe that PTSD is more psychological then chemical. I believe this because PTSD doesn't have to deal with neurotransmitters, and it doesn't affect the cells or tissues.
Sources
- http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mouse-man/200901/the-anatomy-post-traumatic-stress-disorder- The Anatomy of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- https://www.myptsd.com/c/threads/autonomic-nervous-system-ans-with-ptsd.13839/- autonomic nervous system with PTSD