TRAUMA AND THE BRAIN 1

Trauma and the Brain

Student's Name:

Tinesha Headley

Institution: St. Francis College

Course Name: Cognitive Neuroscience

Instructor Name: Dr. Kristy Biolsi

Due date: 04/30/2021

Trauma and the Brain

The brain has a significant role in enhancing positive aspects of people's development.

Trauma is likely to affect the brain, which may later affect cognitive functions. Traumatic events

may lead to stress, which may lead to other health problems. These effects may affect how an

individual is interacting with each other in the society. The productivity and performance of

people are also affected because of traumatic stress. Stress can affect brain functions, which is

directly linked to how people think. The normal development of the brain is affected when an

individual experiences traumatic events. Adverse events may be experienced when the traumatic

stressors are prolonged. This essay will critically discuss trauma and the brain.

Development of the Brain

Brain development continues from childhood to adulthood, where critical aspects change.

The bulk of brain development happens in the utero development and may continues after birth

(Bremner, 2006),. Ttherefore, the mother must plays a critical role in the development of the

brain. The first five years of life are essential because the brain volume expands (Bremner,

2006). The expansion of the brain may vary in different people based on their personal

characteristics. Human brain development starts in the third gestation week with the

differentiation of the neural progenitor cells (Stiles & Jernigan, 2010). These processes may

continue throughout the adolescent life or even the rest of life. However, the early stages are

critical, and an individual should embrace aspects that are not stressful. This may help overcome
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adverse outcomes likely to be experienced when an individual faces traumatic events.

The brain structures are affected by trauma, which may later affect the learning process.

Early adversity affects the nucleus accumbens and inhibits the prefrontal cortex, which critical

for impulse control and executionof the function (Harris, 2014). The prefrontal cortex is a brain

area that is critical for learning, and disturbances may affect memory. Therefore, children may

experience challenges in schools because of past traumatic events. High doses of childhood

trauma may affect the amygdala, the brain's fear response center (Harris, 2014). Therefore,

individuals who experience trauma in childhood are likely to engage in risk behaviors. The

behaviors may lead to adverse impacts on their health.

The environment affects brain development because it influences how an individual

thinks. Stiles and Jernigan (2010) argued that alteration of gene expression and environment

affects neural outcomes. Therefore, the environment should be conducive to ensure positive

results are achieved in healthcare settings. Cortical and subcortical brain structures develop in

fetal development and at the end of the gestation period (Stiles & Jernigan, 2010). The authors

further argued that the major gray and white matter compartments continue to develop from

childhood to adolescence. The environment may affect how an individual behaves and relate

with each other. The social aspects of people influence the environmental influences where some

critical aspects may be adjusted.

Adolescent Brain Development

Adolescents are likely to face challenges that affect the development of the brain. The

challenges they face may lead to traumatic stress, which may influence their behavior. Cerebral
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transformation occurs during adolescents and may be affected by the environment

(Balvin&Banati, 2017). However, many adolescents are likely to engage in risky activities and

are vulnerable to problematic activities. Some of these aspects are likely to affect how an

individual behaves and executes the required activities. Individuals from poor backgrounds are

likely to face challenges in physical and mental health (Balvin&Banati, 2017). Brain

development is affected by economic challenges that may cause stress. Young people may not

embrace the changes, thus affecting how their productivity.

Stressors during adolescents are likely to affect how an individual relates to the

environment. Balvin and Banati (2017) argued that the adolescent brain is prone to stress, and

chronic production of stress may affect memory, learning, mental health, and emotional

processing. Therefore, adolescents should be equipped with skills and knowledge to overcome

stress. Resilience programs may help unlearn negative behavior, minimize risks, and build life

skills (Balvin&Banati, 2017). Such programs are critical and may help enhance the development

of the brain. However, the adolescents must embrace self-approaches that may help overcome

the stressor. Personal responsibilities are recommended to ensure positive goals are achieved.

They may help enhance positive brain development towards enhancing positive aspects in life.

Additionally, the transitioning from childhood to adulthood may require approaches to

deal with challenges. Adolescence is the psychological transitioning from child to adult,

accompanied by structural remodeling and neuronal reconfiguring of the brain (Balvin&Banati,

2017). These changes may enhance adult-level reasoning that may affect the mental capabilities

of an individual. Sexual and cerebral changes may influence the emotions of wanting to fit into

society (Balvin&Banati, 2017). Societal and peer expectations are likely to affect how an

individual behaves and interact with each other. Adolescents may engage in social learning that
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may help adjust to the environmental condition (Balvin&Banati, 2017). Some of these changes

may be influenced by brain development that is directly affected by the environment.

Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma affects brain development and may lead to psychological dysfunction.

Long-term effects are likely to be experienced because of the adverse impacts on the brain. Early

childhood trauma can cause the brain's neurobiological functions that directly affect cognitive

and physical functioning (Dye, 2018). An individual may not behave as expected because of the

negative aspects of the trauma. Some of the long-term effects of trauma include substance abuse,

psychiatric problems, and incarceration (Dye, 2018). These effects are likely to be experienced in

later stages of life. However, guidance and follow-ups may help address some of these long-term

effects of childhood trauma.

Childhood trauma affects cognitive development, and a child may face challenges when

relating with each other in the environment. The complexity of a child's experiences in society

may lead to traumatic events. Exposure to trauma in childhood affects children's cognition, self-

identity, and language (McLean, 2016). These challenges are directly linked to the disruption of

the brain's development. Trauma and adversity lead to the hyper-arousal of the hypothalamic-

pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), which directly changes brain development (McLean, 2016).

These effects may affect the stress hormone system that may cause adverse impacts.

Hippocampus is affected when the stress hormone system is disrupted (McLean, 2016).

Therefore, the development of the key brain structures is affected where negative aspects are

likely to be experienced. Memory loss may be experienced where an individual may experience

challenges in the learning experiences

Additionally, children exposed to trauma are likely to be associated with low IQ and

delays in cognitive and language development (McLean, 2016). Cognitive and language

development are directly involved in brain functions. Trauma may have adverse impacts on the

learning experiences because language development is a critical aspect of learning. Adults with a

history of trauma have small volume hippocampal and low memory functions (McLean, 2016).

The hHippocampusal is affected by past traumatic events that are likely to affect brain structures'

development. Therefore, childhood experiences may affect how an individual interacts and

behave when interacting with each other. Children experiencing abuse may have challenges in

the management of social and emotional information (McLean, 2016). Emotional processing of

social information is affected by traumatic environments. Therefore, adverse events are likely to

be experienced when regulating the emotions of an individual.

How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across Lifetime

Childhood trauma affects the health of an individual because of the changes in behavior

and relationship with people. McLean (2016) argued that adverse childhood outcomes affect

physical and mental health. Adverse mental health outcomes are likely to be experienced because

of the challenges in brain development. Traumatic events are likely to affect how an individual

behaves because of the challenges in management. Stress hormones are likely to affect emotional

processing that affects mental health (Balvin & Banati, 2017).Emotional processing is a critical

aspect that is affected by the harsh environment. Adverse mental health outcomes are likely to be

experienced because of the challenges faced in the environment.

Additionally, adverse outcomes are likely to be experienced when children experience

traumatic events. Childhood trauma is the seventh out of 10ten leading causes of death in

America because of the impact on health (Harris, 2014). It may affect the immune system and
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hormonal systems that are critical towards enhancing positive aspects of life. High exposure to

childhood trauma may lead to heart disease and lung cancer (Harris, 2014). These diseases may

affect life expectancy because of the challenges in the immune system. Some of these diseases

may be experienced in adulthood because of the changes in brain development. The exposure to

childhood trauma is hardly diagnosed and screened by doctors (Harris, 2014). The lack of

training may lead to diseases that are experienced when an individual grows up.

Child abuse may include abuse and neglect that affect the psychology of the people. High

adverse childhood experiences are lead to worse health outcomes (Harris, 2014). The

relationship between drug response and adverse childhood experiences is likely to affect how

people view childhood outcomes. Childhood trauma may lead to depression, hepatitis,

suicidality, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Harris, 2014). These diseases cause

adverse outcomes because of the negative aspects of the diseases. Individuals who had a rough

childhood are likely to engage in smoking and drinking activities (Harris, 2014). These activities

are likely to ruin the health of an individual during adulthood. An individual will engage in such

activities to console themselves or revenge for such actions. These changes are likely to affect

the immune system, and an individual may experience infections.

Stress

Stress response mechanisms may be effective in coping with challenging situations.

However, long-lasting stress is likely to affect the brain processes, which may later affect the

behaviors. Stressors affect social behavior that directly impacts how people relate in society

(Sandi & Haller, 2015). Reduction of sociability may be experienced because an individual may

experience negative aspects. Early stressors may increase aggressiveness based on the

environment's interactions (Sandi & Haller, 2015). These challenges are likely to affect how
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individuals perform in the workplace. Changes in social brain systems are likely to be affected

by stressors that influence the brain's normal processes (Sandi & Haller, 2015). Social cognition

of tasks is a critical aspect that may help enhance positive aspects of life.

Additionally,prenatal and early postnatal stress impinge brain development, while

childhood and adulthood stress affects social learning (Sandi & Haller, 2015). This argument is

based on how the individual develops and interacts in the environment. Individuals tend to learn

and discover new aspects during adolescence or early adulthood. Therefore, stressors are likely

to affect how an individual captures new concepts of life. Mediobasal hypothalamus and dorsal

aspects of the periaqueductal gray are affected by the social challenges that elicit aggressiveness

(Sandi & Haller, 2015). Some of these aspects may trigger negative social behaviors that affect

people's activity. Poverty, poor housing, family structure changes, social marginalization, and

isolation are causes of stress (Miller & Rasmussen, 2010). These challenges may affect brain

functions because an individual will always think about ways to avoid the challenges.

How Stress Affects the Brain

Stress is often characterized by feelings of isolation, irritability, and forgetting some

aspects. Chronic stress may affect the brain structure, function, and size, especially when an

individual cannot control it (Murgia). These effects may be experienced when an individual faces

conditions that make an individual unable to control them. Stressful conditions are likely to

trigger the HPA axis to produce cortisol, which may later cause havoc on the brain (Murgia).

These effects are likely to affect how an individual interacts and participates in the activities in

society. High levels of cortisol deteriorate the hippocampus's electronic signals, which are

associated with memory, learning, and stress control (Murgia). These challenges may be

experienced when an individual faces stressful conditions. High exposure to stress during
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childhood may later lead to diseases in adulthood. This is because of the changes in the normal

development of the brain.

Disturbances of the brain structure and functions may affect the control of stress.

Increased cortisol levels may cause a shrink of the brain size and a loss of synaptic connections

between the neurons (Murgia). The brain is affected, and adverse impacts are likely to be

experienced because of the decrease in brain size. Shrinking of the prefrontal cortex affects

behaviors of decision-making, judgment, and concentration (Murgia). These perspectives are

likely to trigger the memory, making an individual have difficulties in memory. Chronic stress

affects the memory where negative aspects are likely to be experienced. Effects of stress may be

directed to the brain's DNA (Murgia). Therefore, offsprings are likely to experience stress effects

if the mothers had experienced high levels of stress.

Traumatic stressors are likely to have lifelong effects that involve the brain processes.

Bremner (1999) argued that patients with posttraumatic disorder (PSTD) had challenges in the

hippocampal. The neuropsychological functions are likely to be affected where negative results

are likely to be experienced. The dysfunctions of the hippocampus indicate that an individual

may have challenges in cognitive, neurohormonal, and neurochemical responses (Bremner,

1999). The challenges in dealing with stress may cause adverse impacts when an individual faces

challenges. Prenatal exposure to glucocorticoid may lead to hippocampal damage, which may

later affect the learning experiences (Bremner, 1999). Prenatal exposures are likely to affect

adulthood.

Effects of Childhood Trauma on the Brain

Childhood trauma affects the brain structures, leading to high levels of stress, which may

alter an individual's emotions. An increase in stress levels may affect the heart rates and
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elevation of stress hormones (Purnomo, 2020). Some of these effects are likely to affect how an

individual interacts and relate with each other. An increase in heart rates may increase the risk of

heart diseases that are likely to be experienced in adulthood. Toxic stress may affect the anterior

cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex (Purnomo, 2020). Childhood trauma is likely to influence

how an individual manages stress. The dysfunctions of the brain structures may lead to

complications in later stages of life. An individual may face difficulties when managing stressful

environments that affect people's performance.

Additionally, childhood trauma affects the behavioral responses of an individual to

external stimuli. Cortisol hormone increases blood pressure, respiration, heart rate respiration,

and muscle tension (Purnomo, 2020). The hormone may increase when the regulation

mechanism system is affected by traumatic stresses. These effects are likely to affect the

behavior of an individual towards the environment.

Solving Trauma

Interventions toward trauma should enhance long-term effects because traumatic events

have memories. Imipramine, amitriptyline, and phenelzine are effective drugs that can be used in

the treatment of PTSD (Bremner, 2006). The effects of the drugs may vary in different patients,

where positive aspects should be enhanced. Antidepressant promotes nerve development of the

hippocampus through enhancing the uptake of inhibitors (Bremner, 2006). These changes will

require a physician or nurse to enhance pharmacological treatment. However, the negative aspect

may be achieved when the patients are involved in the treatment plan. Individuals facing

traumatic events

Overcoming trauma may require aspects that can help enhance positive attitudes towards

an activity or environment. Purnomo (2020) suggested that an individual should build confidence
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towards a common goal. Confidence may help address some of the negative aspects in life that

make an individual be stressed. Building trust and a sense of community may help a child

overcome toxic stress (Purnomo, 2020). The community may involve family members and

friends who may help enhance the child's self-esteem and confidence. Positive aspects can be

realized in society when a sense of community can be embraced in society. Overcoming trauma

may involve including aspects that affect the people. The negative aspects that lead to stress

should be avoided towards embracing positive aspects in life.

Additionally, a collaborative approach may be effective in overcoming trauma. The

approach may involve family members, friends, and individuals within the environment.

Eradicating the traumatic stressor is an effective aspect that may help enhance positive results

among the children.Drug therapy may also be effective in addressing the stress levels that affect

the brain structure. Bremner (1999) suggested that phenytoin, tianeptine, and

dihydroepiandrosterone can be used to reverse the stress that affects the hippocampus. Therefore,

positive outcomes can be realized through the incorporation of agents that will help control the

stress levels. The agents modulate excitatory amino acid-induced neurotoxicity, which directly

impacts the hippocampal (Bremner., 1999). The author further suggested reversibility is possible

even after neural death. However, healthcare professionals must be involved in enhancing

positive outcomes are achieved.

Conclusion

Traumatic events are likely to affect brain structures and functions. An individual may

experience challenges when addressing the stressors because of the adverse outcomes. Some of

the brain regions affected include the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The disruption of the

brain functions and system may cause diseases because some of the critical aspects are controlled
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by the brain organs. Childhood trauma may cause suicidality, depression, lung cancer, and heart

diseases. The trauma may cause adverse impacts because an individual may have negative

memories of the events. Trauma may be treated through pharmacological treatment such as

antidepressants. Non-pharmacological treatment may include therapy and social support to

enhance positive aspects. The treatment may help in enhancing positive aspects and restructuring

of the damaged brain structures.

References

Balvin, N., &Banati, P. (2017). The adolescent brain: a second window of opportunity–a

compendium. UNICEF.

Bremner, J. D. (2006). Traumatic stress: effects on the brain. Dialogues in clinical

neuroscience, 8(4), 445.

Bremner, J. D. (1999). Does stress damage the brain?. Biological psychiatry, 45(7), 797-805.

Dye, H. (2018). The impact and long-term effects of childhood trauma. Journal of Human

Behavior in the Social Environment, 28(3), 381-392.

Harris, B. (2014). How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across A Lifetime.Retrieved from

https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_

across_a_lifetime/transcript?language=en

McLean, S. (2016). The effect of trauma on the brain development of children. Australian

Institute of Family Studies CFCA Practice Resource, 1-15.

Miller, K. E., & Rasmussen, A. (2010). War exposure, daily stressors, and mental health in

conflict and post-conflict settings: bridging the divide between trauma-focused and

psychosocial frameworks. Social science & medicine, 70(1), 7-16.

Murgia, M. TED. How Stress Affects Your Brain. Retrieved from

https://www.ted.com/talks/madhumita_murgia_how_stress_affects_your_brain/transcript

#t-97138
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Purnomo, J. (2020). Wired for Danger: The Effects of Childhood Trauma on the Brain. Retrieved

from https://www.brainfacts.org/thinking-sensing-and-behaving/childhood-and-

adolescence/2020/wired-for-danger-the-effects-of-childhood-trauma-on-the-brain-101920

Sandi, C., & Haller, J. (2015). Stress and the social brain: behavioural effects and

neurobiological mechanisms. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16(5), 290-304.

Stiles, J., & Jernigan, T. L. (2010). The basics of brain development. Neuropsychology

review, 20(4), 327-348.