The Impacts of Trauma on Developing Brains
Trauma is a difficult and complex topic that affects millions of people worldwide. Trauma comes in many forms and can have lasting impacts on an individual's life. However, when a child experiences trauma, the effects can be particularly significant. This is because trauma can profoundly affect the cognitive, behavioural, and emotional aspects of a developing brain. In this blog, we'll explore how trauma affects the developing brain and the long-term consequences that can arise from these impacts.
Before we can discuss the negative effects of trauma on the developing brain, we must first understand what trauma is. Trauma refers to any event or situation that is emotionally distressing or shocking. It can be an accident, a natural disaster, abuse or violence, and many other types of events. When someone experiences trauma, their brain goes into overdrive, producing an immense amount of stress hormones. These hormones can cause changes in the way the brain develops over time, leading to problems like emotional instability, mood swings, and difficulty in regulating emotions.
Trauma can also impact cognitive development in developing brains. Cognitive functions refer to a person's ability to learn, process, and retain information. When children and teenagers are exposed to high levels of stress due to traumatic events, their brains can experience significant changes and neurological re-wiring, leading to long-term effects. For example, children exposed to high levels of trauma may have difficulty with memory, attention, impulse control, and other cognitive functions.
Social development is another area that is negatively impacted by trauma. Children exposed to trauma have a higher likelihood of developing emotional dysregulation or the inability to regulate emotions. They may struggle with forming healthy relationships, may act out more frequently, and have decreased empathy towards others. This can be even more challenging for teenagers, who are already navigating a complex social landscape.
Long-term consequences of childhood trauma can also include mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This is because trauma can fundamentally alter the way in which the amygdala responds to threat, leading to heightened anxiety and a decreased ability to regulate emotions. Childhood trauma has also been linked with an increased risk of substance abuse, as individuals may turn to drugs or alcohol as a means of coping with emotional distress.
With all that said, it's important to know that children can bounce back from trauma with appropriate support from adults, professionals and community interventions. One of the most prominent protective factors that can help in building resilience among children is positive and nurturing relationships with parents, caregivers. To support the child's recovery and build resilience, it's essential for adults to provide a safe and supportive environment that focuses on promoting healthy coping skills to manage stressors, fostering positive relationships among peers, and providing access to mental health support when necessary. As an adult, you can make a difference in helping children heal from trauma.
In conclusion, trauma can have severe and long-lasting effects on the developing brain, leading to mental health problems and impacting cognitive and social development. Remember, children need a safe and nurturing environment to improve their ability to cope with traumatic events they may encounter throughout their lives. As an adult, you can help by educating yourself, providing support and a safe haven, and encouraging your child or young person to seek professional help. Remember that building resilience is a journey, and that each step taken can lift one further. Don't hesitate to seek out resources, and reach out to your child's school or health care professional to help build protective factors for long-term health and wellness.
If you want to learn more about feelings and emotions and gain a variety of skills to manage them, enrol in our online course Working with Emotions, which will guide you to understand what you feel and how that manifests in your body, mind, and actions.
If you or your child has been recently diagnosed with ASD & ADHD you can have a look at Michaela’s 40min session Creating insight into ASD & ADHD (for adults), or the caregiver version Creating insight into your child’s ASD & ADHD (for caregivers).