Soldiers

‘The capacity to become “numb” and partially robotic during combat … allows the soldier to continue to function effectively without panic.’ p. 51.

Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, and Maia Szalavitz, The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog, 2017.

‘In extreme dissociative experience … the person becomes completely focused inward and disconnected from reality. Brain regions that dominate thinking shift from planning action to concerning themselves with brute survival. There is a sense that time has slowed and what’s happening isn’t “real”. Breathing slows. Pain and even fear shut down. People often report feeling emotionless and numb, as though they are watching what’s happening to them affect a character in a movie.’ Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, and Maia Szalavitz, The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog, 2017. pp. 50-51. 

‘And if these patterns are activated repeatedly long enough, due to the intensity, duration, or pattern of the trauma, there will be “use – dependent” changes in the neural systems that mediate these responses. The result is that these systems can become overactive and sensitized, leading to a host of emotional, behavioural, and cognitive problems long after the traumatic event is over.’ Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, and Maia Szalavitz, The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog, 2017. pp. 50-51. p. 51.