Childhood Trauma - 1607 Words

Running head: CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND ITS IMPACT Childhood Trauma And Its Impact On The Brain The nature versus nurture debate in human development is longstanding with many opposing viewpoints. However, numerous studies have confirmed that the maturation and development of the brain has a â€Å"reciprocal relationship with the environment† (Wilson, Hansen Li, 2001). With the brain developing at its fastest rate in childhood, it is especially impressionable to early life experiences. If those experiences include repeated trauma of abuse or neglect, optimal brain development and function is threatened. Chronic activation of a child’s stress response system affects†¦show more content†¦The prominent symptoms of depression are low mood, sleep and appetite disturbances, and diminished interest in daily activities. Carr continued, â€Å"Major depression is an episodic disorder characterized by major depressive episodes and intervening periods of normal mood† (2007, p.3). Early life trauma is considered a significant precursor of depression (LaNoue, Graeber, Hernandez, Warner Helitzer, 2010). Childhood trauma affects many brain systems. The stress response system and its cosystems pay the greatest toll when a child experiences chronic threat. Taking a closer look at the functions of the HPA axis and the steroid hormone, cortisol, aid in identifying the precursors to depression. Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in depression was a vital discovery in psychoneuroendocrinology (Heim, Newport, Mletzko, Miller Nemeroff, 2008). Heim et al., stated, â€Å"The HPA axis represents the major neuroendocrine stress response system designed to maintain stability and health† (2008, p.694). Unfortunately, when a child is subjected to repeated trauma, dysregulation of the HPA axis occurs. Studies also found that cortisol, a multifunctional steroid produced in the adrenal gland, reinforced the body’s ability to cope in the face of danger. In situations of chronic threat, a condition called ‘hypercortisolism’ (persistently high cortisol levels) can lead to an array ofShow MoreRelatedChildhood Trauma1541 Words   |  7 PagesChildhood Trauma Family violence is always disheartening. Childhood sexual abuse is by far the worse. There are many forms of childhood sexual abuse. The sexual abuse can involve seduction by a beloved relative or it can be a violent act committed by a stranger. Childhood sexual trauma causes psychological, interpersonal, and behavioral. This paper will show a first account of the impact of childhood trauma. Family History Jewel grew up in turmoil. She found out fromRead MoreThe Trauma Of Childhood And Adolescence1503 Words   |  7 PagesCynthia’s Attachment Style Chronic trauma in childhood and adolescence include macrotraumatic events – physical abuse, sexual assault, physical neglect – as well as a variety of cumulative microtrauma including constant devaluations and excessive demands, lack of security, emotional abuse, neglect, and a variety of separation and losses. For this type of trauma, the concept of attachment trauma has been proposed to underline the high damage potential of these influences. Main characteristics ofRead MoreChildhood Trauma And Depression In Adulthood1708 Words   |  7 Pages Childhood trauma and Depression in Adulthood Misha StMichael Intro to Psychology Paul Rabideau October 13, 2017 Research Article Childhood Trauma and Its Relation to Chronic Depression in Adulthood by the University of Kassel, Psychoanalytic Psychology,shows that childhood trauma is significantly involved in the development of depression. The aim of a study by Sigmund Freud institute, â€Å"was to examine the prevalence of retrospectively recalled childhood trauma in chronically depressed patientsRead MoreChildhood Trauma, And Juvenile Delinquency1826 Words   |  8 PagesThere has been an enormous amount of research, going back almost thirty years, about the relationship between childhood trauma, and juvenile delinquency. 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The purpose of this paper is to find the connections between the severityRead MoreChildhood Trauma and the Impact of Adulthood1381 Words   |  6 Pagestheir childhood(s). Lenore C. Terr (January, 1999) states, Childhood trauma appears to be a critical etiological factor in the development of a number of serious disorders both in childhood and in adulthood. To better understand childhood trauma, Terr defines this as, the mental result of one sudden, external or a series of blows, rendering the young person temporarily helpless and breaking past ordinary coping and defense operations (January, 1999). The statistics of childhood trauma is alarmingRead MoreLiterature Review On Childhood Trauma Essay1113 Words   |  5 Pagesstudies completed on adults who were 50 years or older and also experienced trauma as a child. They reviewed the impact childhood trauma has on their mental and physical health as older adults. They collected findings from 23 studies that were published between 1996 through 2011 and concluded that childhood trauma did in fact have negative effects on older adults mental and physical health. Although it is well known that trauma at a young age can have serious effects, especially on development, it isRead MoreChildhood Trauma And Its Effects On The Victims Essay2134 Words   |  9 PagesChildhood trauma is one of the most heartbreaking situations to ever fathom happening. Childhood trauma includes neglect, maltreatment, physical and emotional abuse, and many other forms of mistreatment amongst children. Childhood trauma oc curs between the ages of 0 and 6 years of age. When referencing to childhood trauma, one must take thought into who commits the abuse, who is affected by the abuse, and what long term effects can the abuse have on the victims. One must also take into considerationRead MoreChildhood Trauma and Neurological Development Essay950 Words   |  4 PagesChildhood is a time for playdates and learning, a time for big dreams and imaginary adventures. Safety and security should not be questions that linger in uncertainty. However, this is not the case for many children across the globe. Thousands of children from all walks of life each day are faced with unspeakable horror and must deal with the resulting trauma from then on. However, in children, managing this trauma takes a different toll on the mind and heart than it does in adults. While the typeRead MoreThe Lifelong Health Effects Of Childhood Trauma1301 Words   |  6 PagesThe topic that I have decided to write about is childhood trau ma. I wanted to research the lifelong health effects that are caused by childhood trauma. One thing that has always concerned me is the life of children growing up in war-zones or areas with extreme poverty and crime. I assume that there is a correlation between traumatic experiences and health. Many people would argue that the correlation behind it is that it is more likely that a person makes bad health decisions like drinking and doing