Limbic System

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a mental disorder developed after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event or natural disaster. The hallmarks of posttraumatic stress disorder include persistent thoughts and memories of the traumatic event, feelings of re-experiencing the event, and avoidance (Warner, Warner, Appenzeller, & Hoge, 2013). Once known as "shell shock" or battle fatigue, researchers have learned that not just veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, but anyone can that experience a traumatic event and develop this disorder (Grohol, 2013). Traumatic events that can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder are a kidnapping, serious vehicle accidents, natural disasters, violent attacks, rape, or torture. This disorder

The limbic system is located along the border between the cerebrum and the diencephalons. The limbic system plays a role in a person’s emotional states and behaviors. It also is important for the creation of short-term memories and improves long-term memories. This system is also important to learning (Cohen, 2013). The limbic system consists of several structures that play a function in memory, learning, and emotional responses. The two main structures are the amygdala and the hippocampus, which are effected from posttraumatic stress disorder. The amygdala is shaped like an almond in two clusters of nuclei in the temporal lobe. The hippocampus is shaped like a sea horse, located under the lateral ventricles (Cohen, 2013). The amygdala is important to normal expression of emotions, especially the emotion of fear. The hippocampus is involved in memory especially spatial memory such as memory of familiar places (Newton,

After facing trauma, the brain is unable to properly process the information in the amygdala and hippocampus in a normal way, later causing distress during consciousness (Cohen, 2006). Brain studies have shown higher activity in the amygdala and hippocampus in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder. The amygdala is involved with fear and individuals who go through a traumatic event, and there is evidence that this structure becomes hyperactive. The hippocampus is involved with the brain forming memories, and there is evidence that this structure losses volume (Cohen,