A clinician's guide to the neurobiology underlying the presentation and treatment of PTSD and subsequent growth

Abstract

While there has been an abundance of research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the past several decades, clinical studies on the neurobiological mechanisms involved in the disorder are only recently receiving attention. This paper will collate available information on the neurobiology of PTSD for clinical and lay audiences. This paper reviews the literature surrounding typical symptoms of PTSD, with a specific focus on the neurobiological evidence suggesting altered brain functioning among those with the condition. It will also present literature reviewing common treatment methods of PTSD and their potential effects on brain functioning, including attention, working memory, and emotional regulation. The concept of post-traumatic growth will also be introduced, indicating an alternate trajectory of PTSD.