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.

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.

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?