The sense of self in the aftermath of trauma: lessons from the default mode network in posttraumatic stress disorder
European Journal of Psychotraumatology October 23, 2020 R. Lanius, Braeden A. Terpou, M. Mckinnon 158 citations
Trauma can disrupt the sense of self, as reported by individuals with PTSD who describe feeling disconnected from themselves or emotionally numb. These self-related experiences are linked to the default mode network (DMN), a brain network active during rest and self-referential thought. In people with PTSD, the DMN shows reduced resting-state functional connectivity compared to healthy individuals, with greater reductions tied to more severe PTSD symptoms. Trauma may become intertwined with the sense of self through alterations in the DMN. Understanding these changes during rest and in response to trauma-related cues may inform therapies that address past and present experiences in PTSD treatment.