5. Art, Movement, & Performance Therapy

A study with over 14,000 participants found that dance was a more effective treatment for depression, than medications.

It allows you to relax and feel your emotions, even the ones you've been avoiding for years.

4. Somatic Experiencing (SE)

A natural healing method, SE blends biology, neuroscience, and psychology to reset the brain's hypersensitivity to stress.

It’s especially useful for:
• PTSD
• Sleep issues
• Anxiety & depression
• Relationship struggles
• Stress-related symptoms (e.g., chronic pain)

3. Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback trains the brain to function better using real-time brain activity feedback.

Benefits include:
• Calming an overactive amygdala
• Strengthening the prefrontal cortex’s regulatory control

2. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)

NET, a form of CBT, effectively reduces anxiety in trauma patients by:

It works by:
• Creating a coherent life narrative to make sense of trauma

• Easing fear and anxiety linked to the sympathetic nervous system response

1. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR helps process traumatic memories by:

• Reducing amygdala hyperactivity for better emotional response

• Strengthening the hippocampus & prefrontal cortex, improving memory and emotional control

Chronic Fight-or-Flight response

Trauma turns the amygdala into a “fear-driven” brain.
This causes:

• Decreased focus & creativity
• Heightened stress sensitivity
• Increased anxiety & depression
• Higher chronic disease risk from constant cortisol release
But does trauma mean no cure?

Brain Changes

Trauma has profound effects on the brain.

1. Hypersensitive Amygdala – See danger where other people see manageable stuff.

2. Weakened Hippocampus – Harder to remember or think clearly.

3. Weakened Prefrontal Cortex – Harder to think ahead or make good choices.

Impacts of Trauma

This study shows childhood trauma raises inflammation levels as an adult.

“Physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, and caregiver separation all increase the risk of mental & physical illness later in life.”

The most overused, oddly glorified, yet under-respected topic on the internet:

Childhood Trauma.

It’s why your dad won’t cry, your relationships don’t stick, and why you feel exhausted every morning.

Here’s what trauma is—and how to reverse its effects (backed by science): 🧵