The Neurological Roller Coaster of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is more than just a shocking experience; it’s something that can change how a person thinks, feels, and even how their brain functions. The impact goes beyond emotions, actually affecting the brain’s chemistry and wiring. The brain enters “survival mode,” constantly on alert, which can leave survivors feeling tense or unsafe even in everyday situations. But understanding the brain’s response can help shed light on the complex ways trauma affects people and, eventually, how they can heal.

But how does the brain function? 

When someone faces trauma, the brain’s alarm system springs into action. At the core of this system is the amygdala, a small part of the brain responsible for processing danger. During and after harassment, the amygdala can become overactive, signaling threats even when there’s no real danger. This heightened alertness is the brain’s way of staying ready for anything, but it also means survivors may feel nervous or on edge in otherwise normal situations. The fight or flight mode we call it! 

Another major effect of trauma is the flood of stress hormones, primarily cortisol and adrenaline. Think of these as the body’s “emergency energy boosters,” designed to help us react quickly to threats. While these chemicals are helpful in a real emergency, they’re not meant to stick around long-term. After trauma, however, these stress hormones can linger, leading survivors to feel continuously anxious, exhausted, or even physically tense. It’s like having the brain’s stress dial turned up too high, all the time.

One of the brain areas most affected by trauma is the hippocampus, which plays a big role in memory. High levels of stress hormones can interfere with the hippocampus, making it hard to store memories clearly. This is why some survivors may have trouble recalling details of what happened or may remember things in bits and pieces. It’s a natural response to trauma—the brain was too overwhelmed at the moment to capture everything in a clear, organized way.

Over time, trauma can even reshape how the brain functions through a process called neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s way of adapting based on experiences. This adaptation is the brain’s survival mechanism, creating new “wiring” that prioritizes safety and caution. While this rewiring is meant to protect, it can lead survivors to feel less trustful or more guarded in relationships. Joyful moments may feel overshadowed by an underlying sense of worry, a side effect of the brain’s adjustments to prioritize self-protection.

For some people, trauma can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), where the brain gets stuck in a constant state of alert. PTSD can bring intense flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts, as if the trauma is replaying on a loop. This isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s the brain’s way of processing trauma that feels “stuck.” But with time and treatment, the brain can learn to interrupt these cycles, helping survivors feel a sense of control again.

Thankfully!....

The brain also has its own natural “healing agents”—chemicals like dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone, and oxytocin, the “bonding” hormone. Activities that bring joy and connection, like spending time with loved ones, exercising, or engaging in hobbies, can increase these chemicals. For survivors, these moments of joy and connection can help build positive pathways in the brain, easing some of the effects of trauma and promoting healing.

Support and therapy can make a big difference too. Treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-specific methods such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) help the brain process and reframe traumatic memories. Therapy can help the brain rewrite its trauma responses, allowing survivors to find relief from intense emotional triggers. This process, over time, can allow survivors to regain a sense of stability and control over their thoughts and feelings.

In the end, our brains are resilient. They have an incredible ability to heal and adapt, even after trauma. With time, support, and coping strategies, survivors can recover, rebuild, and thrive. This journey is a testament to the strength of those affected by trauma, showing that while the brain’s response to hardship is powerful, so is its capacity to heal.