Jul 2, 20233 min read

Synergypath - Understanding Cognitive Deterioration Due to Stress and Abuse

Updated: Jan 10

"Using my injuries to help others navigate theirs.

True empowerment comes from within."

- Christina Blaskavitch

A General Overview for

Individuals with Trauma-Specified Disorders

Following Stress & Abuse

Cognitive deterioration, a decline in cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and problem-solving, can be a significant concern for individuals aged 25-40 dealing with trauma-specified disorders following stress and abuse. This decline can often be linked to prolonged exposure to stress and abuse. Understanding this connection and finding ways to mitigate the effects of stress and abuse can be a crucial part of the healing journey.

The Impact of Stress and Abuse on Cognitive Function

Stress and abuse, particularly when experienced over a prolonged period, can have a profound impact on cognitive function. Chronic stress can lead to changes in the brain's structure and function, affecting areas responsible for memory and learning. Similarly, abuse, whether physical, emotional, can lead to trauma, which can disrupt cognitive processes and lead to a decline in cognitive abilities.

Cognitive Deterioration and Trauma-Specified Disorders

In the trauma-specified disorders category, cognitive deterioration can manifest in various ways. Individuals may experience difficulties with memory, struggle with attention and concentration, or find it challenging to solve problems or make decisions. These cognitive difficulties can exacerbate the symptoms of their disorder, making it more difficult for them to cope with daily life and hindering their recovery.

Navigating Cognitive Deterioration for Healing

Recognizing and addressing cognitive deterioration can be a crucial part of the healing journey for individuals with trauma-specified disorders. Here are some strategies that can help:

Cognitive Rehabilitation: This therapeutic approach focuses on improving cognitive skills and compensating for cognitive deficits. It can involve various techniques, such as memory training, attention exercises, and problem-solving activities.

Stress Management: Learning to manage stress effectively can help to mitigate its impact on cognitive function. This can involve relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Trauma-Informed Therapy: Therapies that are specifically designed to address the impact of trauma, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), can be particularly beneficial.

Self-Care: Prioritizing self-care can help to reduce stress and promote cognitive health. This can involve ensuring adequate sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, using supplements, vitamins, and minerals, engaging in regular physical activity, and taking time each day to relax and do things you enjoy. *This was my experience, results are different for everyone. I am not average.

Commitment to learning: Keep your brain active. Audiobooks, reading, journaling and reflecting are helpful methods in discovering the root of the issues causing distress. Through journaling and organizing our thoughts we discover what is really going on inside. That time for inner focus is where you find those golden nuggets to help move forward in your purpose. Learning your triggers and exploring the concept of clarity, goal setting, and basic scheduling (and sticking to it), are the basics to get the ball moving. This was the core of where I was stuck.

Hire a Coach: Hiring a coach and working through a coaching program was the best investment I ever made. The experience went beyond what I ever imagined to learn, discover, and was the most transformative process of my life. Working with fellow coaches for months submersed in a like-minded community, learning business together, and rediscovering who I was in my diagnosis was the empowerment I needed to begin stepping towards self-confidence and safety. I went a step further and hired my own coach.

Cognitive deterioration due to stress and abuse can be a frustrating, disempowering, scary, and challenging aspect of trauma-specified disorders, however understanding and addressing it, can pave the way for healing. We must overcome and explore strategies to become stronger. With the right tools and support, individuals can navigate these complex psychological phenomena and move towards a healthier, more harmonious state of mind. It's not over, discover how to make this "gift" work for you. Be committed to doing the work.