Childhood trauma and how it affects the brain

Trauma can be defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, physical injury.There are many common causes of trauma, of which the main ones include:
  • Psychological abuse – often being sworn at, put down, intimidated or insulted. (Linked to social neglect)
  • Physical abuse – being pushed, slapped, and could be often causing marks or injures.
  • Sexual abuse – being touched or forced to touch others in a sexual way, or perform a sexual act.
  • Substance abuse – living with someone with a drinking or drug problem.
  • Mental illness – living with someone who is mentally ill
  • Domestic violence – witnessing a parent being hit, kicked, threatened or hurt.
  • Criminal behaviour – having a household member in trouble with the law or in prison.
  • Parental divorce – when the child is under 18 years old

There were 16,939 child cruelty and neglect offences recorded by police in 2017-18, which is more than double in 2012-13, reported by the NSPCC. The charity’s helpline also received 19,937 calls last year about children suffering neglect, ¾ of which were referred urgently to police or children’s services. Research suggests that this type of trauma in childhood leaves deep marks, giving rise to issues including post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Previous research has pointed out that individuals who experienced such abuse or neglect as children have decreased volumes of white matter in various areas of the brain. 

How abuse can alter the structure of the brain:
  • The nucleus accumbens, the pleasure and reward centre of the brain, is altered, increasing the risk of substance dependency.
  • The amygdala, the fear response centre of the brain, becomes highly stimulated, leading to the child avoiding situations that most children can deal with, and or having anger management issues
  • Trauma inhibits the function of the prefrontal cortex, this helps the child regulate and control their impulses and carry out executive functions e.g. decision-making and planning, which are essential for learning.
Harvard University’s Centre on the Developing Child explains the impact of this restructuring of the brain. Your child will find it difficult to control their impulses and so, act before they think it through. They will find it difficult to recall instructions, focus their attention and manage numerous tasks. Children are born with the potential to develop all these skills, but they need a healthy environment in which to learn and practice them.

The NSPCC helpline is:  0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk
Hope you enjoyed reading :) written by Meghana Vipin
Sources
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319566.php
https://www.livingandloving.co.za/child/childhood-trauma-affects-developing-brain-can-help
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/child-neglect-cruelty-figures-double-uk-sexual-abuse-police-signs-nspcc-a8665656.html 
https://www.verywellmind.com/childhood-abuse-changes-the-brain-2330401

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