Final answer:
Individuals with PTSD often experience increased activity of the autonomic nervous system and oversensitivity of the amygdala. The amygdala's role in emotional processing makes it a critical area of focus for potential treatments. PTSD treatments may involve medication and therapy, which can help reduce symptoms and improve brain structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research shows that those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience physiological changes such as increased autonomic nervous system activity and oversensitivity of the amygdala. The amygdala plays a key role in processing emotions and is linked to anxiety and fear responses. Indeed, many veterans, including those from the Vietnam War and World War II, have struggled with PTSD. Physiological changes associated with PTSD may lead to various treatments targeting these areas of the brain, with the aim of reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.
This condition arises after individuals experience severe psychological trauma, and it is characterized by intrusive memories, heightened reactivity to stimuli, and avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event. Treatments for PTSD may include pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapies, which have shown to improve behavioral outcomes and hippocampal volumes in affected individuals.