During developmental periods, the brain has high plasticity and is extremely vulnerable to its environment. Hindering environments can lead the child to become susceptible to developmental problems and disorders.

childhood Trauma and the Brain

- Fear/ reluctance to go home
- Low/no self-esteem
- Flinching away from physical touch 
- Poor academic performance in school
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation 
- Aggression/tantrums 
- Physical signs of neglect
- Unusual behavior

Indicators of Child Abuse

Childhood Trauma Effects References

- More complex, diffused, and tenacious symptomology (does not fit neatly into DSM-5)
- personality changes in relatedness and identity
- involved further harm to self/others

Clinical Manifestations of Prolonged Exposure to Repeated Trauma

Reference for Childhood trauma and depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder: A network analysis

Summary of article:

During childhood, individual is exposed to neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse that leaves them vulnerable to developmental problems into adulthood

Michigan State University

Santa Clara University

Abuse is when an individual intentionally torments another individual either physically or emotionally. This can make one more vulnerable to depression later on. 

Abuse

Rosada, C., Bauer, M., Golde, S., Metz, S., Roepke, S., Otte, C., Wolf, O. T., Buss, C., &amp; Wingenfeld, K. (2021). Association between childhood trauma and brain anatomy in women with post-traumatic stress disorder, women with borderline personality disorder, and Healthy Women. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1959706 


Association between childhood trauma and brain anatomy in women with post-traumatic stress disorder, women with borderline personality disorder

Interpersonal trauma is a type of trauma that occurs in one’s relationships with other individuals. Events that can cause interpersonal trauma include physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence, loss of a loved one, etc. 

Interpersonal Trauma

- Physical 
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Psychological/Mental
- Financial/Economic
- Cultural/Identity

Types of Abuse

In infancy, damage includes mental retardation, hearing difficulties, visual problems, learning disabilities, and cognitive dysfunction. Exposure to abuse at any point in life, however, negatively correlates with gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, amygdala, sensory association cortices and cerebellum.

Effects of Abuse on Brain Structure

- Toddler Age 
- Preschool Age
- Primary School Age
- Adolescence

Abuse Effects on Behavioral Development

- Depression
- PTSD
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Common Mental Disorders Following Abuse

- Psychotherapy
- Play therapy
- Psychotropic medications

Combination psychotherapy and psycho-pharmacotherapy is the most effective treatment strategy.

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