Trauma can make its way to the subconscious mind through a process known as memory encoding. When a person experiences a traumatic event, the brain may encode the sensory information and emotions associated with that event in a different way compared to non-traumatic experiences. This altered encoding can lead to the traumatic memories becoming stored in the subconscious mind.
Here's a simplified explanation of how trauma is processed and stored in the brain:
Perception of threat: During a traumatic event, the brain perceives a threat to the person's physical or emotional well-being. In response, the amygdala, an area of the brain involved in emotional processing, is activated, leading to the "fight, flight, or freeze" response.
Stress response: When the amygdala is activated, it triggers the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which heighten alertness and enhance memory formation. This heightened state of arousal can make the traumatic memories more vivid and intense.
Fragmented encoding: The intense emotions and sensory details during a traumatic event can lead to fragmented encoding of memories. Instead of forming a cohesive narrative like non-traumatic memories, the brain may store bits and pieces of sensory information, emotions, and physical sensations related to the trauma.
Disrupted integration: Normally, memories undergo a process of integration, where they are combined with existing knowledge and contextual information to form coherent narratives. However, traumatic memories may not integrate well with other memories, remaining isolated and disconnected.
Subconscious storage: Traumatic memories, with their intense emotions and fragmented nature, can be challenging for the conscious mind to process and cope with. As a result, they may be stored in the subconscious mind, below the level of conscious awareness.
These subconscious traumatic memories can resurface in various ways, such as through nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or intense emotional reactions triggered by reminders of the trauma. The brain's attempt to protect the individual from the overwhelming emotions associated with the trauma can lead to avoidance behaviors and dissociation as well.
Therapies like EMDR and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) aim to help individuals process and integrate these traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner. By addressing the subconscious aspects of trauma and working through the memories, individuals can experience healing and relief from trauma-related symptoms.