The Neuroscience of The Neuroscience of Trauma Trauma : : Applying Brain Applying Brain Research to EA Research to EA Practice Practice EAPA INTERNATIONAL ‘06 EAPA INTERNATIONAL ‘06 Cardwell C. Nuckols MA, PhD Cardwell C. Nuckols MA, PhD [email protected][email protected](407) 758-1536 (407) 758-1536 www.gwcinc.com/drnuckols.htm www.gwcinc.com/drnuckols.htm www.hci-online.com/cnuckols www.hci-online.com/cnuckols http://www.hazelden.org/OA_HTML/ http://www.hazelden.org/OA_HTML/ hazCSrdSrchResults.jsp?event=&cg=- hazCSrdSrchResults.jsp?event=&cg=- 200&kw=NUCKOLS 200&kw=NUCKOLS
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The Neuroscience of Trauma: Applying Brain Research to EA Practice EAPA INTERNATIONAL ‘06 Cardwell C. Nuckols MA, PhD [email protected] (407) 758-1536.
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The Neuroscience ofThe Neuroscience of TraumaTrauma:: Applying Brain Applying Brain Research to EA PracticeResearch to EA PracticeEAPA INTERNATIONAL ‘06EAPA INTERNATIONAL ‘06
Cardwell C. Nuckols MA, PhDCardwell C. Nuckols MA, PhD
Engagement or Engagement or AvoidanceAvoidance Sensory data internalizedSensory data internalized Brain edits data according to:Brain edits data according to:
– ““Mirror of Memory” (EGO)Mirror of Memory” (EGO)– USING INTERNAL CONTENT TO FILL USING INTERNAL CONTENT TO FILL
“GAPS” AND RESOLVE “GAPS” AND RESOLVE DISCREPANCIESDISCREPANCIES
Feature Detectors and our “Mirror Feature Detectors and our “Mirror of Memory" define “meaning”of Memory" define “meaning”
Parietal Lobe (“Where”)Parietal Lobe (“Where”)– Spatial informationSpatial information
Limbic, Dorsolateral Prefrontal and Limbic, Dorsolateral Prefrontal and Orbitofrontal Circuits (“If”)Orbitofrontal Circuits (“If”)– Engagement or AvoidanceEngagement or Avoidance
Dorsolateral Prefrontal (“How”)Dorsolateral Prefrontal (“How”)– Novel situations requiring problem solvingNovel situations requiring problem solving
Feature DetectorsFeature Detectors
Trauma survivors may lack Trauma survivors may lack adequate feature detectorsadequate feature detectors
They may not have They may not have representations for empathy, love representations for empathy, love and/or happinessand/or happiness
Such words could have little or no Such words could have little or no meaning and elicit no meaning and elicit no corresponding body states.corresponding body states.
One-Half Second LagOne-Half Second Lag
Between receiving a stimulus and Between receiving a stimulus and becoming awarebecoming aware
Multiple reflection of the stimulus Multiple reflection of the stimulus in the “mirror of memory” (EGO)in the “mirror of memory” (EGO)
Stimulus becomes a reflection of Stimulus becomes a reflection of our EGO-Identityour EGO-Identity
Misattuned Primary Misattuned Primary CaregiverCaregiver Lack of “resonance”Lack of “resonance” Triggers dysregulated statesTriggers dysregulated states Not able to repair these statesNot able to repair these states
– States become traitsStates become traits– Defenses are embedded in evolving Defenses are embedded in evolving
Maladaptive Brain Maladaptive Brain DevelopmentDevelopment Especially secondary to Especially secondary to
“relational trauma”“relational trauma”– Severe Affective Severe Affective
DysregulationDysregulation Loss of emotional self-regulationLoss of emotional self-regulation Expressed as loss of ability to Expressed as loss of ability to regulate the Intensity and regulate the Intensity and Duration of affectDuration of affect
Paralimbic areas Paralimbic areas of the right of the right hemisphere are hemisphere are preferentially preferentially involved in the involved in the storage of storage of traumatic traumatic memoriesmemories
GenderGender
MaleMale– Limbic system has different Limbic system has different
connectivity patternsconnectivity patterns– Delayed cerebral maturationDelayed cerebral maturation– More susceptible to “relational” abuseMore susceptible to “relational” abuse– Hyperarousal patternHyperarousal pattern– Externalizing disordersExternalizing disorders
Stabilization, Trust and SafetyStabilization, Trust and Safety Learn to Live Gracefully in the Learn to Live Gracefully in the
PresentPresent Develop Higher Order FunctionsDevelop Higher Order Functions Establish a Sense of SelfEstablish a Sense of Self
– PersonalityPersonality
Stabilization, Trust Stabilization, Trust and Safetyand Safety What has changed?What has changed? Closed contractClosed contract StabilizationStabilization
Enter the map of the worldEnter the map of the world– ““World has fundamentally changed”World has fundamentally changed”– ““World is unfair”World is unfair”
TrustTrust
Past history of assessmentPast history of assessment Past experience with rulesPast experience with rules Power issues in therapeutic Power issues in therapeutic
relationshiprelationship CaseCase
– 35 yo female (Marsha) having 35 yo female (Marsha) having difficulty at work with supervisors difficulty at work with supervisors that she fears may interfere with that she fears may interfere with future promotionsfuture promotions
Learning To Live Learning To Live Gracefully In The Gracefully In The PresentPresent Mindful AwarenessMindful Awareness ““Mindfulness is defined as paying Mindfulness is defined as paying
attention, in the present moment, on attention, in the present moment, on purpose, without grasping on to purpose, without grasping on to judgments.” (Siegel, 2006)judgments.” (Siegel, 2006)
Empathy, compassion and interpersonal Empathy, compassion and interpersonal sensitivity seem to be improvedsensitivity seem to be improved
Learning To Live Learning To Live Gracefully In The Gracefully In The Present-Treatment Present-Treatment ConsiderationsConsiderations Mindfulness MeditationMindfulness Meditation Positive Connections to OthersPositive Connections to Others
Positive Connection to a Higher Positive Connection to a Higher Power of our ChoicePower of our Choice
Learning from Therapeutic Learning from Therapeutic “Ruptures”“Ruptures”
Therapeutic Therapeutic RelationshipRelationship
A SECURE ATTACHMENT A SECURE ATTACHMENT THAT PROMOTES GROWTH THAT PROMOTES GROWTH OF NEURAL INTEGRATIVE OF NEURAL INTEGRATIVE FIBERS (ESPECIALLY FIBERS (ESPECIALLY ORBITOFRONTAL CORTEX)ORBITOFRONTAL CORTEX)
Activates right brain imprinted Activates right brain imprinted pathological internal object pathological internal object relationsrelations
Therapeutic Therapeutic “Ruptures”“Ruptures” Programs PTs “Hot Theory of Mind”Programs PTs “Hot Theory of Mind”
Creates expectations of immediate Creates expectations of immediate dysregulationdysregulation
PTs brain shifts dominance from PTs brain shifts dominance from Left Linear processing to Right Non-Left Linear processing to Right Non-linear processinglinear processing
Therapeutic Therapeutic “Ruptures”“Ruptures” Rupture of Therapeutic RelationshipRupture of Therapeutic Relationship
Induces chaotic state associated with Induces chaotic state associated with
early traumatic experience stored in early traumatic experience stored in “mirror of memory”“mirror of memory”
“ “Splitting”-evaporation of positive and Splitting”-evaporation of positive and
Repairing Therapeutic Repairing Therapeutic “Ruptures”“Ruptures” Therapist must recognize and Therapist must recognize and
regulate the negative affect regulate the negative affect within self and clientwithin self and client
Therapist on a non-verbal level Therapist on a non-verbal level must detect, monitor and self-must detect, monitor and self-regulate countertransferenceregulate countertransference
““Reparative withdrawal” for self-Reparative withdrawal” for self-regulationregulation
Repairing Therapeutic Repairing Therapeutic “Ruptures”“Ruptures” Model for CT that self-Model for CT that self-
disorganization can be regulateddisorganization can be regulated Use psychoeducation to express Use psychoeducation to express
verbally what just happened moving verbally what just happened moving from right hemisphere to leftfrom right hemisphere to left
Increase organization in limbic Increase organization in limbic structures that mediate the structures that mediate the emergence of adaptive capacities emergence of adaptive capacities (Schore)(Schore)
– In conjunction with amygdala In conjunction with amygdala can can stimulate or inhibit ANSstimulate or inhibit ANS
– If damaged-impulsivity, social If damaged-impulsivity, social inappropriateness, disregard for rules and inappropriateness, disregard for rules and consequencesconsequences
Orbitofrontal CortexOrbitofrontal Cortex
Modulates instinctive behavior and Modulates instinctive behavior and internal drivesinternal drives
Processes face and voice Processes face and voice information for appraisal of information for appraisal of external environmentexternal environment
Therefore, integrates external and Therefore, integrates external and internal environmentinternal environment
Early developmental trauma has Early developmental trauma has negative impact on OFCnegative impact on OFC
Orbitofrontal Directly Orbitofrontal Directly Connects To:Connects To: HypothalamusHypothalamus
– Head ganglion of ANS & locus of Head ganglion of ANS & locus of drivedrive
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUESINTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUES
TRIGGER USELESS REFLEXIVE, SELF-TRIGGER USELESS REFLEXIVE, SELF-PROTECTIVE MOTOR RESPONSES, PROTECTIVE MOTOR RESPONSES, PAIN, SENSORY EXPERIENCES AND PAIN, SENSORY EXPERIENCES AND EMOTIONAL STATESEMOTIONAL STATES
AFTER EACH AROUSAL SENSITIVITY IS AFTER EACH AROUSAL SENSITIVITY IS INCREASEDINCREASED
PROGRESSIVE CUE-BASED PROGRESSIVE CUE-BASED SENSITIZATION (MAY RESPOND TO SENSITIZATION (MAY RESPOND TO ANY EXCESSIVE EXTERNAL ANY EXCESSIVE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULI-SMELLS, ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULI-SMELLS, LOUD NOISES,FLASHES OF LIGHT)LOUD NOISES,FLASHES OF LIGHT)
PTSD SYMPTOMS WORSEN WITH PTSD SYMPTOMS WORSEN WITH INCREASE IN SOMATIC COMPLAINTSINCREASE IN SOMATIC COMPLAINTS
Working With Working With Hyperarousal And Hyperarousal And DissociationDissociation MedicationsMedications Symptom listSymptom list
– What are you feeling?What are you feeling?– What is happening around you?What is happening around you?
Help client make connection between Help client make connection between internal state and external realityinternal state and external reality
““Mindfulness” and tolerance of Mindfulness” and tolerance of feelingsfeelings
Behavioral Exposure Behavioral Exposure TherapyTherapy International Society for Traumatic International Society for Traumatic
– May be mediated by Prefrontal Cortical May be mediated by Prefrontal Cortical inhibition of Amygdalainhibition of Amygdala
Clinical Case StudyClinical Case Study
29 yo female (Peggy) in early recovery 29 yo female (Peggy) in early recovery for cocaine addiction with history of for cocaine addiction with history of early life traumaearly life trauma– Use of grief letter with elements of Use of grief letter with elements of
Imaginal and In Vivo Behavioral ExposureImaginal and In Vivo Behavioral Exposure What do you remember?What do you remember? How has it impacted your life?How has it impacted your life? How do you feel about it now?How do you feel about it now?
Decrease hyperarousal and intrusive Decrease hyperarousal and intrusive symptomssymptoms
Behavioral Exposure Behavioral Exposure Generally Combined Generally Combined WithWith
Fear Extinction from GABA fibers Fear Extinction from GABA fibers extending down to amygdala-calming extending down to amygdala-calming the conditioned fear responsethe conditioned fear response
Becoming aware of the input from our Becoming aware of the input from our bodies (gut, heart, etc.) allowing bodies (gut, heart, etc.) allowing intuitive wisdomintuitive wisdom
The capacity to think of the larger The capacity to think of the larger good and act in a pro-social mannergood and act in a pro-social manner– Vertical IntegrationVertical Integration
Trauma Treatment In Trauma Treatment In Early Recovery from Early Recovery from Addictive DisorderAddictive Disorder Estimated 30-60 percent of individuals with Estimated 30-60 percent of individuals with
substance abuse disorders have PTSDsubstance abuse disorders have PTSD Joint Treatment of PTSD and Cocaine AbuseJoint Treatment of PTSD and Cocaine Abuse
– Therapy combinesTherapy combines Substance abuse treatmentSubstance abuse treatment Behavioral exposure for PTSDBehavioral exposure for PTSD
– 39 participants, 15 completed course of therapy39 participants, 15 completed course of therapy 66% reduction in intrusive symptoms66% reduction in intrusive symptoms 70% reduction in avoidance symptoms70% reduction in avoidance symptoms 47% reduction in hyperarousal symptoms47% reduction in hyperarousal symptoms
Psychiatric Annals, Volume 33, Number 1, Psychiatric Annals, Volume 33, Number 1, January, 2003.January, 2003.
““After The Trauma: What Doesn’t Help and After The Trauma: What Doesn’t Help and What May”. Harvard Mental Health Letter, What May”. Harvard Mental Health Letter, November, 2003.November, 2003.
Beitman and Viamontes. The Neurobiology of Beitman and Viamontes. The Neurobiology of Psychotherapy. Psychiatric Annals. Volume Psychotherapy. Psychiatric Annals. Volume 36, Number4, April, 2006, pg 214.36, Number4, April, 2006, pg 214.
Siegel, Daniel. An Interpersonal Neurobiology Siegel, Daniel. An Interpersonal Neurobiology Approach to Psychotherapy. Psychiatric Approach to Psychotherapy. Psychiatric Annals. Volume 36, Number4, April, 2006, pg Annals. Volume 36, Number4, April, 2006, pg 250.250.
Reference SitesReference Sites
Handouts for Parents and Handouts for Parents and ProfessionalsProfessionals– http://www.zerotothree.orghttp://www.zerotothree.org
Information for ProfessionalsInformation for Professionals– http://http://
www.childtraumaacademy.comwww.childtraumaacademy.com The National Center for PTSDThe National Center for PTSD