“Fight, flight or freeze” responses are logical defenses to an overpowering threat, like Maria’s older, stronger cousin. He comes into her room once or twice a month when he has stays over with Maria’s brother.
Maria has learned to quickly shift to high alert. She shakes under her sheets, in her own house with overwhelming fear of what he might do, too scared to speak.
The chronic fear and stress is changing the basic architecture of Maria’s brain.
The more primitive, or “survival-focused” part of Maria's brain works to keep her hyper-vigilant, while it mutes the thinking or cognitive part, called her pre-frontal cortex.
Then Maria's natural, defensive responses become deeply engrained neurological pathways from repeated usage -- but once the threat is gone, the dysfunctional and severely anti-social behaviors remain.
Medical research tells us that Maria’s health will suffer greatly across her lifetime, traceable to her childhood traumas, and it may end in her early death.
Whether abuse, family dysfunction or neglect, childhood trauma directly impacts about 2 out of 3 of us. Experts call it “epidemic.”
Trauma-Informed adults CAN make a difference.
Get Informed. Click on the links below.
Informed already? Then, please “share” the blogpost. Help grow awareness of this secret epidemic destroying childhoods.
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
After trauma, social interpretations change
Defensive behaviors stay turned on (PAGES 10, 11)
Toxic stress causes brain architecture changes (2 minute video)
Look for other parts of this series “Nowhere to Hide” on LucidWitness.com for more information.
Want even more ? Follow the additional links below:
OTHER LINKS: CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
1. Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Studies
2. Childhood Trauma Concepts and Definitions
4. Trauma-Informed Social Services
5. Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice
6. Trauma-Informed Public Policy
7. Childhood Trauma Training and Tools
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