How+Does+it+Affect+the+Brain

There are three major parts of the brain that are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex. The hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex all involve the functions of memory, emotions and behavior. Evidently PTSD is affected greatly in these three major parts of the brain.


 * __What is it?__**

Is responsible for emotional memory and experiencing, it is made up of several parts.
 * Amygdala**

Is responsible for behavior, personality, decision making, and memory. It is located at the very front of the brain.
 * Prefrontal Cortex**

The hippocampus is responsible for retrieving and storing memories and overcoming fears.
 * Hippocampus**


 * __So How Does PTSD Affect The Brain?__**

Since the hippocampus is responsible for storing, retrieving, and overcoming fears. Some individuals may have trouble recalling some or if any information on their traumatic event. Some may even have trouble overcoming fearful thoughts towards their event, which falls under the amygdala part of the brain as well.

There are a few studies that say constant stress can actually cause damage to the hippocampus. When we feel stressed a hormone called cortisol is released which evidently decreases the feeling of stress. High levels of cortisol can damage or destroy the hippocampus. Researchers say people with PTSD, have a smaller hippocampus than those who do not have PTSD. The size of your hippocampus reflects your ability to store and retrieve memory. Also some people are naturally born with smaller hippocampuses, and this can play a role on who is affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. Being naturally born with a smaller hippocampus one can actually be more vulnerable to PTSD if a traumatic event does occur. The amygdala is to alert an individual of an emergency. The amygdala is abnormally active in PTSD there is increased anxiety and emotions. The prefrontal cortex is there to counter balance the amygdales hyperactive behavior. When involved with PTSD this is often a negative effect and the prefrontal cortex is unable to relax the hyperactive amygdala. The hippocampus which is responsible for memory is also hyperactive. These three essential part of the brain are unable to function properly/ normally for an individual who has PTSD.

Knowing what parts of the brain are affected by PTSD is important especially for treatment and medications.

Emerging Science
 * VIDEO LINK**
 * Describes a young man who went to military and how the traumatic events he experienced affected his daily life (ie depression, alcoholism etc). Also how PTSD affects the three major parts of the brain involving the hippocampus prefrontal cortex and amygdala.**