Trauma: The Relationship Between Psychological Trauma, PTSD, and Physical Pain

Principal Category: Psychological Trauma

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Based on additional research referenced in the article

A groundbreaking study conducted by Marla Mickleborough, MA, and Judith Daniels, PhD, explored the intricate relationship between trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and pain perception. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), they investigated how exposure to trauma-related stimuli affects the brain’s response to pain. Surprisingly, individuals with PTSD displayed a paradoxical response, rating painful stimuli as less intense and unpleasant compared to those without PTSD.

The fMRI data revealed heightened activation in brain regions associated with pain relief, suggesting a potential mechanism by which the brain mitigates pain following trauma. However, trauma-induced alterations in the stress response system can contribute to chronic pain conditions, emphasizing the complex interplay between psychological trauma and physical pain sensitivity. This research sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying pain modulation in PTSD and holds promise for targeted interventions to alleviate pain and enhance trauma treatment efficacy.

Psychological Trauma & Pain: Trying to Understand the Complex Relationship Between Trauma, PTSD, and Pain Perception Based on New Research

It has long been known that psychological trauma can have profound effects on the mind and body, including physical pain perception!

A single traumatic experience has the power to ripple through one’s life, leaving behind a trail of emotional and physical pain. But what happens when trauma intersects with the brain’s processing of pain? Recent research sheds light on this intricate relationship, revealing surprising insights into how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may influence the perception of pain.

New Research

Marla Mickleborough, MA, and Judith Daniels, PhD, embarked on a groundbreaking study at the University of British Columbia and the University of Western Ontario, aiming to unravel the mysteries of pain processing in individuals with PTSD. Their study sought to determine whether the brain’s response to pain might be altered in the presence of trauma.

In their experiment, Mickleborough and Daniels assembled an experimental group comprising patients diagnosed with PTSD alongside a control group consisting of individuals who had experienced trauma but had not developed PTSD. The participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans while listening to either emotionally neutral or trauma-related scripts. Following the script exposure, the researchers administered warm, non-painful stimuli, as well as hot, painful stimuli, prompting participants to rate the intensity and unpleasantness of the sensations.

The results of the study unveiled a paradoxical phenomenon: individuals in the PTSD group rated the painful stimulus as significantly less intense and less unpleasant compared to those in the control group. Intriguingly, the fMRI data revealed heightened activation in brain regions associated with pain relief, such as the caudate, insula, and thalamus, among participants with PTSD. Moreover, the strength of these neural signals correlated with the severity of PTSD symptoms, suggesting a potential mechanism by which the brain mitigates pain following exposure to trauma-related stimuli.

Further analysis of the brain data uncovered additional insights into the complex interplay between trauma, PTSD, and pain perception. Individuals exhibiting dissociative traits, often observed in those with PTSD, displayed reduced activation in emotion processing centers like the amygdala. This finding hints at the brain’s adaptive response to trauma-induced distress, wherein dissociation may serve as a coping mechanism to regulate emotional arousal and minimize pain signals.

Learn more about this here: Research Study – Effects of trauma-related cues on pain processing in posttraumatic stress disorder: an fMRI investigation – 2011 (scampsychology.org)

Evidence of the Opposite Effect

When an individual experiences psychological trauma, it can trigger a cascade of physiological responses in the body, including the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, commonly known as the body’s “fight or flight” response. This response involves the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can heighten arousal and amplify sensory perception.

Moreover, trauma can lead to alterations in the brain’s processing of pain signals. Research has shown that individuals who have experienced trauma may exhibit heightened sensitivity to physical pain due to changes in neural pathways associated with pain perception and regulation. For example, trauma can affect areas of the brain such as the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, which play crucial roles in emotional regulation and pain processing.

Additionally, trauma can contribute to the development of conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can further exacerbate physical pain sensitivity. Individuals with PTSD may experience hypervigilance, flashbacks, and intrusive memories related to the traumatic event, which can intensify pain perception and make it more challenging to cope with physical discomfort.

Furthermore, trauma-induced alterations in the body’s stress response system can contribute to the development of chronic pain conditions. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol can lead to inflammation, immune system dysregulation, and changes in pain modulation mechanisms, all of which can contribute to the experience of persistent pain.

According to research done in: ‘Pain perception and processing in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review with meta-analysis,’ by Jonas Tesarz, David Baumeister, Tonny Elmose Andersen, and Henrik Bjarke Vaegterc.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a known risk factor for the development of chronic pain conditions, and almost 1 in 5 individuals with chronic pain fulfills the criteria for PTSD. However, the relationship between PTSD and pain is poorly understood and studies on pain perception in patients with PTSD show inconsistent results suggesting that different sensory profiles exist among individuals with PTSD.  in pain processing.

For More Information

1. Physiological Responses to Trauma:
   • “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel van der Kolk.
   • “Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence – from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror” by Judith Herman.
2. Neurobiological Mechanisms of Pain Perception:
   • “Pain: The Science of Suffering” by Patrick Wall.
   • “Principles of Neural Science” by Eric Kandel, James Schwartz, and Thomas Jessell.
3. Trauma and Chronic Pain:
   • “Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on Mind, Body, and Society” edited by Bessel van der Kolk, Alexander C. McFarlane, and Lars Weisaeth.
   • “Psychological Trauma and the Developing Brain: Neurologically Based Interventions for Troubled Children” by Bruce D. Perry and M. Bloom.
4. Related Research:
   • Pain perception and processing in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review with meta-analysis – PMC (nih.gov)
   • Research & Studies – Scam Psychology, Victimology, Criminology, and Sociology

Summary

While these findings offer valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying pain modulation in individuals with PTSD, caution is warranted in generalizing the results across diverse trauma experiences and populations. Nevertheless, the study’s implications are far-reaching, paving the way for targeted interventions aimed at alleviating pain and enhancing trauma treatment efficacy.

By unraveling the intricate relationship between trauma, PTSD, and pain perception, researchers move one step closer to understanding the complexities of human suffering and devising more effective strategies to support those grappling with the aftermath of trauma. As we continue to delve deeper into the mysteries of the human brain, newfound knowledge holds the promise of transforming lives and offering hope to those in need of healing.

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