The relationship between childhood trauma and the brain is complex. The impact can be substantial, leading to mental health conditions down the road, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although many people do not make the connection, some of their challenges in adulthood can be traced back to adverse childhood experiences. Learn how childhood trauma affects your brain, the long-term effects of trauma on your life, and how you can begin to heal from it.
If you are struggling with the effects of trauma from your younger years, My 5 Palms can help. Our PTSD treatment program offers the benefits of targeted trauma-informed care through the appropriate therapies and medications. Call us at 1.844.675.1022 to schedule an intake assessment.
Childhood Trauma and the Brain
Kids can be remarkably resilient, but that does not mean that they are not impacted by trauma. Even if they no longer remember the traumatic event in adulthood, the effects will continue to affect their daily life, whether they are aware of it or not. If a child experiences a traumatic event such as physical or emotional abuse or witnessing domestic violence in the household, their stress response is activated and could become overactive. Over time, this can contribute to changes in the brain structure and function that make a person:
- More sensitive to stress
- Have difficulty regulating their emotions
- More hypervigilant or on guard
Childhood trauma can affect the following areas of the brain:
Amygdala
The amygdala is the area of the brain where people process emotions and fear. After a traumatic event, the amygdala becomes hyperresponsive, resulting in increased anxiety and emotional reactivity.
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is the region of the brain associated with memory and learning. Trauma causes prolonged stress that can interfere with healthy hippocampus function, impairing the ability to form and retrieve memories.
Prefrontal Cortex
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for emotional regulation and decision-making. Childhood trauma can reduce activity in this portion of the brain, which can impact impulse control and one’s ability to manage difficult emotions in a healthy manner.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Trauma?
Childhood trauma can have enduring effects that last long into adulthood without treatment. The aftermath of traumatic events that happen early in life can manifest in a number of ways:
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Inability to cope with stressors
- Challenges in developing and maintaining healthy relationships
- Low self-esteem
- Constantly feeling on alert or unable to relax
- Susceptibility to anxiety and depression
- Flashbacks and nightmares related to the traumatic event
Not only can childhood trauma affect mental and emotional health, but it can also make a person more vulnerable to chronic conditions like autoimmune disorders, heart disease, and diabetes.
Healing from Childhood Trauma
Overcoming the effects of trauma often requires the help of trauma-informed professionals. Trauma therapies like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are specifically designed to help you heal from trauma and distressing emotions. Other behavioral therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can also be immensely beneficial for healing from trauma.
Although medication is not always a part of trauma treatment, certain medications can be helpful for managing symptoms, even if only temporarily. Anxiety and depression can be crippling for people with severe PTSD, so your care provider may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to alleviate your symptoms while you work toward long-term healing through therapy.
Start Healing Today with PTSD Treatment at My 5 Palms
Experiencing trauma at a young age does not mean you are destined to struggle with PTSD symptoms for the rest of your life. When you enroll in a trauma treatment program at My 5 Palms, you will learn how to process trauma, manage your emotions, and stop it from interfering with your daily life. Start moving forward from trauma today by calling us at 1.844.675.1022 or using the online form.
