Two people can survive the same terrifying event, yet only one may later develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Why? PTSD is not determined simply by how frightening an experience was, but by a complicated interaction among biology, previous experiences, the nature of the trauma, psychological responses, and what happens afterward. Research suggests that genetics, brain circuitry, perceived helplessness, social support, and prior trauma can all influence whether the nervous system successfully returns to baseline. Understanding these differences helps explain why trauma exposure and PTSD are not the same thing. In this episode, we examine why some brains recover while others remain trapped in survival mode.
28 Sept 2026
Why Avoiding Trauma Memories Can Keep PTSD Alive
Avoiding painful memories can feel like the most sensible response to trauma: if thinking about it hurts, why think about it? But avoidance can produce immediate relief while unintentionally teaching the brain that the memory itself remains dangerous. This episode explores the psychology and biology of trauma avoidance, what the research actually shows, and why recovery often involves learning to remember without experiencing the memory as a present threat.
15 Sept 2026
Tetris After Trauma: Promise, Limits, and What the Evidence Actually Shows
2018 randomized trial found that playing Tetris in the emergency department shortly after a car accident cut intrusive memories by about 62 percent in the following week. The approach uses the game’s visuospatial demands to compete with how the brain stores vivid trauma images. Researchers view it as a low-intensity option for reducing one core symptom of post-traumatic stress rather than a full treatment for PTSD.
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