Is overcoming trauma cognitive training?

Is overcoming trauma cognitive training? – A new study suggests it really could be...

Psychological trauma refers to the lasting emotional and psychological impact resulting from distressing events or experiences. While trauma can be debilitating, individuals have the remarkable capacity to heal and recover from these wounds.
When individuals confront traumatic experiences, they often develop coping mechanisms and resilience to manage the associated distress. Similarly, cognitive training aims to enhance adaptability and resilience by challenging the mind to respond to novel situations. Overcoming trauma requires individuals to adapt their thinking patterns, reframe negative thoughts, and cultivate a more positive mindset. This process mirrors the cognitive strategies employed in cognitive training exercises that improve mental flexibility and adaptability.
Psychological trauma can leave lasting imprints on the brain, altering neural pathways and affecting cognitive processes. However, just as cognitive training exercises can rewire the brain and enhance cognitive function, trauma recovery also involves reshaping neural connections. Therapeutic techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy actively target maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, allowing individuals to create new neural pathways and establish healthier cognitive patterns.
Cognitive training aims to bolster cognitive resources such as attention, memory, and executive functions. In the context of trauma recovery, individuals often face difficulties in these areas due to the impact of trauma on cognitive functioning. However, by engaging in trauma-focused therapy and utilizing various cognitive techniques, individuals can rebuild their cognitive resources. This process involves improving attentional control, working memory, and decision-making abilities, which aligns with the goals of cognitive training programs.

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Studies (small sample only):

Gildar, N. J. (2016). " What Doesn't Kill Me, Makes Me Stronger:" Predictors of Posttraumatic Growth Among Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors of Motor Vehicle Accidents. Arizona State University.

Hulbert, J. C., & Anderson, M. C. (2018). What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger: Psychological trauma and its relationship to enhanced memory control. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 147(12), 1931.

Menger, F., Patterson, J., O'Hara, J., & Sharp, L. (2020). Research priorities on post-traumatic growth: Where next for the benefit of cancer survivors?. Psycho-oncology.

Tsai, J., Mota, N. P., Southwick, S. M., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2016). What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger: A national study of US military veterans. Journal of affective disorders, 189, 269-271.
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✒️ Autor: Diplom-Psychologe Eskil Burck

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