There have also been tests that people are aided by writing down or discussing their experiences in detail while under the influence of a medicine that lowered their heart rate. It's mentioned in the podcast I mentioned in a comment. "The science of reframing, and how to do it" by anette prehn

An often overlooked part of why therapy helps is that not only are you receiving new perspectives and coping mechanisms from your therapist, you're talking about it, and essentially reliving it through that recollection, while in a safe environment

Yes.

No problem

The neuroscience of reframing and how to do it

By anette prehn, on Udemy

This might help. It's a free podcast https://www.udemy.com/share/101DxI3@GJGN4AkzRXPwfCcyrHjyxSe0wkxcYcXS-DHuBOPMukTo4ih__hpcvGeqFpGSIwqRjQ==/

She hasn't answered you yet. I'm no expert, but I will, since I have an interest in and some knowledge of neuroscience.

Yes, it's possible, because of neuron plasticity - the fact that your mind is built to be able to change and adjust.

What is also helpful is the fact that memories are not "stored" as-is. What I mean by that, is that they are re-created from scratch each time, based on what neurons fire. And each time you remember something, a bit of your environment/current situation is unconsciously added to it each time. You might not remember it differently, but the impact/levels of things can be changed over time.

Medications that lower the heartbeat, also have an impact. As do things that cause priming effects, such as warmth, and things pleasant to the senses.

My suggestion? Recreate the situations that cause the startle response. Do it while having blanket around you, preferably a weighted one, and holding something warm. Recreate it in a safe environment. Maybe have some soothing music or water/nature sounds on. Have a friend do yelling, or use a YouTube video where there's yelling. Over time, that startle response should ease up,or even go away.

If you can't recreate it, then just practicing remembering it, while in a safe, pleasant environment, and remembering that you're safe, will also help.

I used to have a startle response to hearing anyone outside my apartment door, because I used to live with an abuser and startle to hearing her coming to my bedroom. That's all but gone now.

Your brain is like a forest. If you walk the same paths over and over, they become trodden, and easier to walk. Your neurons will fire down those paths more easily. Pick new paths and walk those instead, and let the old ones become overgrown and disappear over time. It takes active practice, active benefit-finding. If you want a free podcast regarding methods for this, and how the brain works, I recommend

https://www.udemy.com/share/101DxI3@GJGN4AkzRXPwfCcyrHjyxSe0wkxcYcXS-DHuBOPMukTo4ih__hpcvGeqFpGSIwqRjQ==/

Other than exercise, to help the hippocampus, and intentionally practicing reframing things, what are some things one can do to help someone rewire their minds after trauma? I'm interested in neurology, and I've been trying to help a friend, as well as help myself