Childhood is considered to be a time with no worries and full of innocence, fun, excitement, and adventure. However, many children are robbed of their right to innocence and are expected to be okay with the trauma and abuse that goes on in their households. Studies and research have shown that lack of care and affection, along with traumatic events such as abuse, constant quarrels, fights, and whatnot, can severely affect and mess with brain development. Let’s get into the long-term effects and trauma influences on mental development.
Understanding Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma includes a range of incidents and situations, which include emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, along with neglecting the basic needs of a child and exposing them to a never-ending violent environment where they can’t do basic chores or even function. It is uncontrollably overwhelming for a child and makes them rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms that get in between their normal growth process
Impact on Brain Structure
Trauma caused by childhood can often change the basic function of the brain. Trauma not only affects the behavioral issues in a child but also affects the size of brain regions, which regulate emotions and process memories or even help in responding to stress. The amygdala plays essential in processing emotions, but it becomes overactive in people who have a history of trauma causing a rise in anxiety levels as well as emotional
Disruption of Normal Growth Processes
Trauma interrupts the entire stress response system of the body and affects neural connections, which can have lasting effects on how a person faces or responds to a stressful situation or environment and how do they react to a chaotic and panic-inducing event. It basically messes up the natural developmental process of the body and its system.
Long-Term Effects on Mental Health
People who have experienced childhood trauma or abuse are always at risk of developing mental health issues such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, etc. These challenges can impact entire aspects of life and adulthood, which make an individual suffer even after they have come out of the shackles of abuse and trying to heal from it because healing is a slow and steady process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, childhood trauma has a long-lasting impact on an individual in several ways, which alters the entire psyche of that person and makes it hard for them to develop a personality without any mental health issues. If you are interested in reading about childhood trauma and how to overcome it, “Rising Up: A True Story of Child Abuse” by Nancy Pusateri is a must-have. The book begins by introducing Nancy’s roots, tracing her family’s migration from Greece to the United States, setting the stage for the story shared ahead in the book. The early years of Nancy’s life seemed like a normal childhood until her family shifted to a new house. Then began the series of harrowing experiences, shattering the innocence of her early years. As she shares her story, she reveals the dark undercurrents within her family home: a father who abuses his authority in the cruelest ways and a mother whose silence and withdrawal only serve to deepen Nancy’s isolation. Her journey is a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the reality of surviving abuse and the difficult path toward healing and reclaiming one’s life.