Understanding Trauma and Memory

Why Trauma Affects Memory – And What You Should Know When we go through something traumatic, our brain shifts into survival mode. The amygdala (which processes emotions) becomes hyperactive, while the hippocampus (which organizes memories) can shrink or malfunction. The result? Memories are stored in fragments—sometimes vivid, sometimes missing, often emotionally charged. That’s why trauma can impact different types of memory: • Semantic (basic knowledge), • Episodic (specific experiences), • Procedural (body memory), • Emotional (feelings tied to events). Understanding these changes can help us stop blaming ourselves for “forgetting too much” or “remembering too vividly.” It’s not weakness..it’s how the brain protects us. Many people think they have memory issues like struggling to recall events, blanking out parts of their childhood or vividly remembering certain details they wish they could forget. But often, it’s not a memory problem..it’s the brain’s natural response to trauma. When the brain perceives danger, it prioritizes survival over memory consolidation. That’s why some memories feel fuzzy, others overly intense and some entirely missing. Have you ever experienced this? Follow @clinicalpsychologistaishwarya for more bite-sized mental health content that actually makes sense. #traumaandmemory #mentalhealtheducation #neuropsychology #traumainformedcare #memoryloss #therapytools #ptsdrecovery #brainandbehavior #emotionalhealing #psychologistindia #mentalhealthmatters #clinicalpsychologistaishwarya