The Impact of Trauma on the Developing Brain
Written By: Stefani Edwards, Counseling Intern
Key Words: Trauma, Brain Development, Childhood Trauma
Disclaimer: The information and resources provided in this blog post are simply supplementary information. The recommendations and resources in this post are not a substitute for mental health treatment.
The Impact of Trauma on the Developing Brain
The experience of childhood trauma not only leads to emotional repercussions but also has profound effects on brain development. It can manifest both physically and behaviorally as trauma affects both the structure and chemistry of the brain. By understanding how trauma can affect the developing brain, trauma survivors and their loved ones can have a framework for how to move forward with healing.
Three brain structures appear to be the most impacted when a person experiences trauma: the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Here is a better understanding of how these areas are affected:
The amygdala is the part of the brain that is responsible for our fight or flight response. It also plays a role in how one perceives and controls emotions.
Due to the activation of the fight or flight response during a traumatic experience, the amygdala can remain hyperactive when the traumatic stressor is no longer present. This alteration may result in an individual being hyperaware of their surroundings and sensitive to sensory triggers that resemble aspects of the traumatic experience.
Trauma can cause trouble relaxing, sleeping, or finding joy in life.
The hippocampus helps with memory and learning.
Hormones are released when one experiences high levels of stress, which cause damage or destroy cells in this part of the brain, making it harder to form memories.
Due to this cell deterioration, people who have experienced trauma have a smaller hippocampus than people who have not experienced trauma.
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for regulating emotions and high-level thinking and reasoning.
People who have experienced childhood trauma may feel frequent anxiety and panic. They may also have trouble regulating emotions.
Change in this part of the brain can account for intense, trauma-related fears that one might have trouble overcoming.
Ways To Help Your Child or Loved One at Home
Practice breathing exercises to help them calm their nervous system. Have them sit up straight, breathe in through the nose for 5-6 seconds, hold for 2-3 seconds, then slowly breathe out for 6-7 seconds. Repeat this for 10 breaths.
Promote the eating of essential nutrients to support brain health which can help with emotion regulation.
Encourage daily movement practices. This may look like taking walks together, yoga or stretching, or playing a favorite sport.
Practice progressive muscle relaxation: starting with the face, then moving to the shoulders, arms, hands, stomach, legs, and finally toes. Flex muscles in these areas for 5-10 seconds, then relax and breathe in, then out.
References
How do our brains respond to trauma? Arc of Monroe. (2020, May 28). Retrieved January 14, 2022, from https://arcmonroe.org/how-do-our-brains-respond-to-trauma/?gclid=CjwKCAiAhreNBhAYEiwAFGGKPO4lY45c947-72jlDax3IWZY6aLEOQz9lfIgFJDBB8bU4QKcZsPV3xoCkNAQAvD_BwE
Spigelmyer, L. (2021, September 17). Emotion regulation with the top-down or bottom-up approach. The Behavior Hub. Retrieved January 14, 2022, from https://www.thebehaviorhub.com/blog/2020/11/30/top-down-bottom-up-approach-to-emotion-regulation
The effects of trauma on the brain: Mental health blog. Mental Health Program at Banyan Treatment Centers. (2020, July 29). Retrieved January 14, 2022, from https://www.banyanmentalhealth.com/2020/05/12/effects-of-trauma-on-the-brain/