Psychological and Physiological Responses to Traumatic Memories in STARTTS’ clients
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Gordana Hol-Radicic |
Integration of traumatic experiences into existing memory scheme is greater under the strong and intense emotional reaction. The intense emotion cause memory of the particular event to be dissociated from consciousness and to be stored as: a) visceral (intuitive) sensations (anxiety, panic) or/and b) visual images (nightmares/flashbacks). It 1889 Pierre Janet determined that a fundament of mental activities is a storage and categorisation of incoming sensations that are stored into the memory; today known as semantic- declarative memories. Once the traumatic experience was integrated into the existing mental schemata it will no longer be accessible as a separate entity, it will however be distorted by the experiences prior and by the emotional state of the time of the recall. Traumatic memories are state dependent. Increased arousal provokes traumatic memories, sensory information and behaviour associated with prior traumatic experiences. Thus the arousal is increased in clients who were previously exposed to high stress, fears, avoidance and whose experiences were incorporated into their mental schemata in a form of somatic and symbolic memory.
Physiological response to trauma is based on a release of Norepinephrine (NE) a neurotransmitter released from the Locus Coeruleus (LC). NE is released: a) into the hypothalamus, which increases arousal and body defences by the Behavioural Facilitating System (BFS), activating CNS into the state of emergency; and b) into the Septo-Hippocampal System where mental activities are stored and categorised. When NE is high it increases physiological arousal, that can trigger traumatic memories. Re-experiencing traumas in a form of nightmares/ and flashbacks cause re-releasing of stress hormones; which reduce memory creating “Black Wholes” (Pitman & Orr, 2007). High level of hormones at the time of trauma plays a role in a Long Term Potentiation (LTP) and over-consolidation of traumatic memories. Endogenous stress hormones affect strength of memory consolidation. NE, endorphin and oxytocins inhibit memory consolidation and create amnesia.
T&T Survivors are aroused being brought to a particular state of mind, back to traumatic experiences, State Dependent Memory in which the traumatic material could be easily accessible and treated.
Recorded at the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
October 2007, New South Wales, Australia.
Visit STARTTS at : www.STARTTS.org.au
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Gordana Hol-Radicic
other talks by the speaker
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Gordana Hol-Radicic
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Gordana Hol is a Clinical Psychologist and one of the Team Leaders of the NSW Service for the Treatment And Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS). Knowledge and skills she possesses have been acquired over years. Her Masters Degree, in Clinical Psychology, ongoing trainings and 26 years of experience as a clinician, have allowed her greater understanding of psychological assessment and appropriate treatment for specific mental health disorders, including a complex presentation of torture and trauma survivors that are Gordana’s main professional interest in the last 15 years.
Gordana is able to utilise various therapeutic approaches in the group and individual treatment of STARTTS’ clients from diverse age groups: children, adolescents, adults and elderly. As a highly qualified professional she has been employed by the international organisations, and internationally recognised mental health institutions: the United Nation High Commission for Human Right (UNHCR)- Mental Health Department, Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) – Netherlands and USA International Rescue Committee-Mental Health Unit.
Currently Gordana is employed by STARTTS as a Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist. She is also a Team Leader of 10 counsellors. As a Senior Clinical Supervisor she provides ongoing supervision and training to STARTTS counsellors, as well as mental health professionals within health areas and school. Gordana contributes to STARTTS clinical training and participates in a delivery of the clinical topic, sharing her knowledge with clinicians and mental health professional that are supporting and treating torture and trauma survivors.
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