Why did my childhood really matter? Is there a cure?
There is always hope and promise for healing and growing.
Clients are often unaware of the effects of their childhood. In my practice many report that they had a “good childhood” only to discover upon further exploration that they endured stressful or even toxic events as children. At times, what happened many years ago is the reason they are seeking counseling today. These events, referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) include divorce, parental separation, alcoholism in the home, and physical/emotional abuse. In the first revealing landmark study 20 years ago, researchers were dismayed at both the prevalence and impact of stressful childhoods on both adult physical and mental health (Anda & Felitti, 1998).
Historically, the impacts of childhood trauma have been unrecognized in the psychiatric community. Van der Kolk (2015) calls this a “hidden epidemic” and advocated for the new diagnosis of Developmental Trauma Disorder in the most recent iteration of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). He asserted that the myriad of diagnoses assigned to both adults and children is based on the impact of toxic or stressful childhoods. Further, these experiences are found across socioeconomic statuses. Most of our criminal justice population have histories of childhood abuse and neglect. However, this epidemic does not discriminate: researchers have found ACES are common in white middle/upper-middle-class upbringings as well. Further, it has a profound and long-lasting effect in adulthood.
Mental and Physical Health Consequences
Researchers have studied the impact of ACES and have found that these experiences can cause a lifetime of health consequences. These include not being able to sleep soundly as an adult, difficulty concentrating, and increased depression and anxiety as an adult. Higher ACES scores are linked to adult physical health issues such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and skeletal fractures. Behavioral consequences include increased adult suicidal ideation, sexual promiscuity, and alcohol or substance abuse. How could these have such long-term consequences on both mental and physical health? A possible explanation is derived from the field of Neuroscience because stressful childhoods and early maltreatment have effects on brain development.
Impact on Your Brain
EMDR can help with depression, anxiety, grief, and any unresolved issues you may have in your past.
The field of neuroscience helps explain brain dysregulation in childhood. The more stressful events in childhood, the higher correlation to potential structural changes within the brain. For example, research supports that stressful childhoods are with correlated changes in the prefrontal cortices and the amygdala which can perpetuate reactive and irrational responses. Further, the thalamus and anterior cingulate cortex may also be affected regions of the brain. These areas are responsible for emotional control and regulation. Further, Poletti and colleagues (2016) found that stress can cause changes in the hippocampus, and trauma histories are associated with decreased hippocampal volume. Mental health disorders associated with decreased hippocampal volume include bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.
What Are ACES Risk Factors?
- Emotional abuse (verbal conflict, belittling, berating, fighting, name-calling)
- Parental separation or divorce
- Alcoholism within the household
- Mental illness in the household (including a narcissistic parent)
- Intimate partner violence
- Mother treated violently
- Physical abuse/neglect
- Sexual abuse
- Chronic medical issues/procedures
Psychotherapy, counseling, and traditional talk therapy may help both children and adults address their childhood trauma. Other therapies that may help “rewire the brain” include Neurofeedback and EMDR (Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). It is vital to find a trauma-based therapist who can help tailor a treatment plan appropriate for the client and their unique circumstances and history. This may also include other therapies that help with emotional dysregulation, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).
