A psychologist, a professor at Dickinson College, addresses the issue of how and why recollections of traumatic events tend to be presented in a fragmented manner.
Often, when trauma survivors share their experiences, they are questioned because of the way they narrate the facts. There may be difficulties in recalling what happened, or the memories may appear confused or even contradictory. Individuals who listen to these accounts—whether lawyers, journalists, healthcare professionals, or friends—generally expect a clearer and more organized sequence of events.
Who has never experienced trauma might be surprised by someone's reaction during an adverse event. It is common to assume that a person in a state of trauma would react instinctively with 'fight or flight,' either by confronting the aggressor or fleeing the scene; however, this is not always the case.
Understanding the science behind how trauma impacts memory and behavior clarifies why certain reactions can be expected and should not be considered contradictory. The psychologist herself, in her clinical and academic practice, observed the profound effect that trauma exerts on people's memories and conduct, especially when a current event evokes something from the past.
Research shows that adopting an informed stance on trauma, focusing on understanding and curiosity about another person's experience rather than making judgments or critical evaluations, increases empathy for the feelings, thoughts, and actions of survivors.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 70% of the world's population reports having experienced some traumatic event in their lifetime. Most of these people do not develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which involves clinical symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks of the event, avoidance of associated places, and increased agitation, which impairs concentration and sleep. However, many survivors suffer from anguish, depression, or anxiety without meeting all the criteria for PTSD.
In traumatic scenarios, reactions can be unexpected, leading individuals to question their own behaviors. This is more likely in cases of repeated trauma, given the high incidence of traumatic events in the population.
Trauma also alters the way memories are stored and accessed. Studies indicate that traumatic memories differ from memories of other significant events, such as happy or sad experiences. Scientists identify two crucial brain structures in this process: the hippocampus, responsible for memory storage, and the amygdala, responsible for emotional processing.
During trauma, the amygdala becomes extremely active, processing emotions like fear, while the hippocampus becomes overloaded by stress, resulting in failures in memory storage. Traumatic memories do not follow a clear narrative line; instead, they are experienced as loose pieces of sensations, smells, images, or emotions. These fragments cause the body to relive the past threat as if it were happening in the moment, potentially provoking the need to flee or fight, or resulting in paralysis.
Thus, the person does not have the perspective distance that they usually feel regarding other past memories; they feel like they are reliving the original experience. An example of this is when someone suffers trauma at the hands of a professional during a consultation. This person may appear calm externally and leave the session normally, which might seem strange, but it is a behavior consistent with the attempt to escape a threat.
The responses of fight, flight, or paralysis are well known in popular culture. In paralysis, the mind goes blank, preventing speech, characterizing a behavior similar to that of a 'deer in headlights.' On the other hand, the individual may act paradoxically, continuing the day as if nothing had happened, without reporting the event or questioning its occurrence. This is called the 'deer fawn response,' a survival strategy where the person remains calm, calms the threat, and withdraws to mitigate the situation, metaphorically backing away by ending the session.
Outsiders may mistakenly interpret these behaviors as proof that the trauma did not occur or that the survivor is not credible. However, this interpretation reflects misconceptions about how people should remember or react to trauma.
If it is a first traumatic experience, the survivor is likely to feel fear, disorientation, or hypervigilance. But if there are previous similar experiences, the new event may awaken old memories, further complicating subsequent recollection, especially under stress.
When a survivor reports an incident and later testifies against the aggressor, memory retrieval can be uniquely affected. Under high stress, especially with the aggressor present, the feeling that the memory is occurring in the present, not the past, can lead to a more fragmented account, accompanied by varied emotional intensity.
Legal professionals and those in other fields who are unaware of the diversity of natural responses to trauma can easily interpret these behaviors as signs of lying or simulation. It is important to note that the rate of false reports of sexual assault, for example, is low, ranging between 2% and 10%.
Studies prove that those who understand the nuances of trauma and mental health demonstrate greater empathy for survivors. Some healthcare services have implemented trauma-informed approaches to prevent re-traumatization and promote safety. Even attention to word choice can ensure effective care, preventing victim blaming.
A trauma-informed approach also benefits legal and justice systems, helping victims receive better support by understanding why accounts are not linear and by not equating memory inconsistencies with falsehoods.
Additionally, research indicates that knowledge about trauma is vital in daily interactions. In friendships, intimate relationships, or the workplace, patience and empathy promote respect, safety, and trust, establishing a positive foundation for social and professional relationships, which aids in the survivor's recovery.
By understanding how trauma affects the brain, people better understand the way survivors think, act, and process memories. What initially seems confusing or incoherent is, in fact, logical behavior derived from a traumatized brain. Having this informed view allows people to be better friends, colleagues, and professionals, ultimately helping survivors to understand their own reactions and contributing to a full life.