Essay -The Effects Of Trauma And Memory.

Ryan Sweeting12/17/20Trauma and Memory: One on One with Daniela Schiller Ph.D.Memory is an integral part of who we are, our self-identity. Experiences influence our perceptions of ourselves and others, which in turn, influence our behavior. In our behavior, we ‘learn’, and our environmental encounters physically modify our neurons. An experience changes the central nervous system and memories are these changes being processed on a neuronal level. Memories depend on a wide range of sensory, perceptual, attentive, emotional, and motivational processes and their neuroanatomic correlates. These correlates are broadly distributed throughout the brain via a complex neuronal network. An ‘engram’, the concept of a single site for memory storage, where a memory physically manifests itself, is unfounded. There are multiple brain structures that are the principal areas responsible for memory processing. Each have a distinctive, vital role and relevant traumatic stress can be indicative of lasting, lifelong changes within these cognitive networks. Stress is something in the environment that might disrupt or change the normal functioning of an individual, whereas trauma involves stress that is more severe and that exceeds human resources for coping with. Contrary to chronic stress, traumatic events can be single occurrences that have a profound