How Emotional Abuse in Childhood Changes the Brain

 

Many changes can happen to a child's brain as they age. Adverse effects can occur in brain development when children grow from causes such as emotional abuse and more horrific abuse. During the "critical period," babies and children can lose many essential brain responses throughout development when exposed to abuse and reoccurring trauma. Up to 14% of U.S. adults reported experiencing emotional abuse during childhood (Holmes, 2021). Though nothing physical occurs, children's rapid brain development can still be affected, disrupting the brain within the critical development periods.

    Dr. Martin and his team from different hospitals examined nine different scans, finding many differences in young adults who were emotionally and physically neglected as a child. The most noticeable changes in these scans showed regions in the brain that controls emotions, impulses, and self-awareness were affected—also concluding that those who experience abuse are more likely to develop mental health issues. Now the effects of the abuse can cause decreased sizes in both the hippocampus and the corpus callosum. The prefrontal cortex is another part of the brain that retains a lesser volume affecting behavior, emotional balance, and perception; an overactive amygdala and reduced cerebellum volume mess with motor skills. All of these lead to a rough path if left untreated. Still, I believe, depending on the severity and periods, abuse can critically affect children and brain development, especially if left untreated. 

Article link:

Holmes, L. (2021). Childhood Abuse and Neglect Actually Change Brain Structure. Verywell Mind. Retrieved 24 July 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/childhood-abuse-changes-the-brain-2330401.