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oakhammock t1_iu0lsx0 wrote

Reply to comment by BUExperts in I’m Dr. Lewina Lee, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Clinical Research Psychologist. Ask me anything about the role of psychosocial stressors on health, the lifelong legacy of childhood adversity, how optimism boosts longevity, & healthy aging. by BUExperts

Can you learn to modify this startle response, or rather what comes after it? For example, if someone has a history of trauma related to yelling or sudden loud noises, can they learn (and is it physiologically possible?) to not become panicked and have the increased heart rate that come with the startle response, regardless of trauma?

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Additional-Ability99 t1_iu2eqny wrote

She hasn't answered you yet. I'm no expert, but I will, since I have an interest in and some knowledge of neuroscience.

Yes, it's possible, because of neuron plasticity - the fact that your mind is built to be able to change and adjust.

What is also helpful is the fact that memories are not "stored" as-is. What I mean by that, is that they are re-created from scratch each time, based on what neurons fire. And each time you remember something, a bit of your environment/current situation is unconsciously added to it each time. You might not remember it differently, but the impact/levels of things can be changed over time.

Medications that lower the heartbeat, also have an impact. As do things that cause priming effects, such as warmth, and things pleasant to the senses.

My suggestion? Recreate the situations that cause the startle response. Do it while having blanket around you, preferably a weighted one, and holding something warm. Recreate it in a safe environment. Maybe have some soothing music or water/nature sounds on. Have a friend do yelling, or use a YouTube video where there's yelling. Over time, that startle response should ease up,or even go away.

If you can't recreate it, then just practicing remembering it, while in a safe, pleasant environment, and remembering that you're safe, will also help.

I used to have a startle response to hearing anyone outside my apartment door, because I used to live with an abuser and startle to hearing her coming to my bedroom. That's all but gone now.

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oakhammock t1_iu7l59k wrote

Thanks for this fantastic reply. I have a fair bit of medical knowledge but I was wondering if maybe there was something more than this that I was unaware of.

I agree with your approach, with the caveat that it should be discussed with a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist before doing so- and ideally working with said professional to do so. I'm not saying there aren't people that can take this approach without harm, but speaking from personal experience with PTSD, this would make it so much worse for me. I'm far from an expert in this field but I do think many individuals with trauma would benefit more from doing EMDR or another approach before or instead of this. I'm guessing you're suggesting this approach because it worked for you? If so, how did it go?

I'm so sorry to hear about your own experience with abuse. I feel your pain and my inbox is always open for you or anybody else who sees this and wants someone to talk to.

Thank you so much for your reply! Your knowledge on neuroplasticity and the possibility of rewiring the brain is incredibly valuable and I appreciate you taking the time to elaborate on it.

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Additional-Ability99 t1_iu7mj6b wrote

There have also been tests that people are aided by writing down or discussing their experiences in detail while under the influence of a medicine that lowered their heart rate. It's mentioned in the podcast I mentioned in a comment. "The science of reframing, and how to do it" by anette prehn

An often overlooked part of why therapy helps is that not only are you receiving new perspectives and coping mechanisms from your therapist, you're talking about it, and essentially reliving it through that recollection, while in a safe environment

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annang t1_iu357bc wrote

There’s some evidence for EMDR and other such therapies for startle response. It’s worth consulting a doctor if you have that symptom and it causes you distress.

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oakhammock t1_iu7lnbh wrote

Thanks for your reply! I have been doing EMDR for about 9 months and it's been helping SO much. I've gone from repressing my trauma and having it ruin my life for 9 years to actually being able to cope. My PTSD is/was so bad that I didn't know on a conscious level that I had it. My brain completely blacked out the memory like it didn't exist and then one day it showed up. I can't agree more that EMDR is the way to go for people with trauma. I now have hope for the first time.

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