How does trauma affect our minds and our mental health? This is a topic of great concern to me and was at one point going to be the subject of a Master’s thesis. What I am explaining here is in very basic terms and generalized, based on my opinion from my own research and years of observation.
Our cognitive mind rationalizes but our subconscious mind does not know the difference between fantasy and reality. This is where trauma happens.
When we are exposed to certain stimuli, our mind responds by creating a chemical response. Humour and loving stimulus causes endorphins to be released which make us feel good and are actually good for our bodies (fostering healing and homeostasis).
When experiencing horror or fear, our subconscious brains go into a trauma/survival response and creates chemicals we need to fight or flee (testosterone, cortisol, adrenaline…). Adrenaline is highly addictive but the body will get used to it and adjusts to become numb (this is a survival tactic by the brain). Ask any adrenaline junkie about how they need to experience scarier and scarier things to get the same rush over time.
When we are first exposed to fantasy trauma, fear and horror in the media (tv, movie theatres, internet) we are initially shocked, and experience all those fight or flight chemicals including the adrenaline rush. But the rational part of the brain kicks in and tells us it isn’t real. However, for some people, part of our addictive mind wants to experience the adrenaline again, so we expose ourselves to more adrenaline producing stimuli – maybe a bit more scary or violent. Again, our minds become numb to it so it takes more and more stimuli to get the same adrenaline boost.
I have a theory when I look at the progression of violence in media (tv shows, movies, youtube…) over the past 50 years. Back then, the most violence we would see on tv was a cowboy in a gun battle falling off his horse or in a shootout 50-100 metres away from the camera. Over the years action shows got progressively more violent and graphic to the point where the audience became numb and graphic violence became mainstream. People’s minds got accustomed to the adrenaline and the level of violence wasn’t giving the same rush anymore.
This can be seen in the progression of video games also. Millions of dollars is spent on psychological testing to make sure there is enough graphic violence to create addictions in the young men who are playing them. The dopamine and adrenaline rush they get when playing these games is highly addictive. Every time they accomplish a task or level or kill an enemy, they get a dopamine surge, combined with adrenaline - and it is a recipe for disaster. This is why it is so hard for kids to turn off the violent video games. And, in my opinion, why they shouldn’t even play them in the first place.
So what happens when an adrenaline rush isn’t achieved by TV, movie or video game anymore? People may turn to videos on the internet – videos that may not be the fabricated media generated fantasy, but real-life videos of rape, torture and murder which are plentiful on the dark web.
This may sound farfetched but ask any 17-year-old boy what is the worst thing they have ever seen on the internet and if they are honest with you, the answer will probably shock you. Sadly, teens (mainly teen boys) love to be shocked and shock their friends in return – sharing these terrible videos.
This loss of innocence breaks my heart, as the kids don’t know that what they are exposing themselves to is actually causing trauma in their minds and bodies, trauma they will have for the rest of their lives.
To take it a step further, what if/when the exposure to this violence doesn’t give the desired effect anymore? Could this (in certain individuals who may have psychotic personalities) cause them to become violent themselves? People who brutally kill animals for the rush of the kill may turn eventually to people. We have seen this potential progression of violence happen close to home several years ago when Canada’s youngest serial killer was caught in the area. I have often wondered how a sweet little boy eventually turns into a killer. There is a progression – and that progression should worry us.
This is a hard article for me to write, as this topic has haunted me for years and breaks my heart. I pray and hope for humanity that we can find our way back to innocence, protecting and collecting our children.
Claire Nielsen is a health coach, author, public speaker and founder of www.elixirforlife.ca. The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional health and medical advice. Please consult a doctor or healthcare provider if you're seeking medical advice, diagnoses and/or treatment.
