Research shows that trauma – particularly adverse childhood events (trauma that occurs before ages 5 or 6) – is very predictive of developing all mental illnesses.
The Effects of Trauma on your Brain
The effects of childhood trauma are very real and can persist long into adulthood if proper support is not sought.
Science now shows that childhood trauma actually affects your brain.
What sorts of childhood trauma effects the brain?
Any kind of abuse – physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse – is very traumatic for a child and will affect brain development.
How does Trauma Effect the Developing Brain?
Trauma and Brain Development
During traumatic experiences, a child’s brain is in heightened state of stress and fear-related hormones are activated. … Over time, these traumatic experiences can have a significant impact on a child’s future behavior, emotional development, mental and physical health.
Childhood trauma affects the way your neural pathways form or do not form.
Trauma can thus cause lasting changes in the areas of the brain that deal with stress, namely the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Studies on animals also found that trauma actually damaged neurons.
Not receiving the care and affection you required as a child also would see you experiencing the physiological effects of stress.