EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA ON BRAIN FUNCTIONING

Abstract

 

The study aims to discover the effect of childhood trauma on brain functioning. It was demonstrated that childhood trauma alters the arousal level of amygdala and the fear response leading to hypervigilance, enhanced emotional responses and problems on regulating emotions. It even leads to changes in the hippocampus region of the brain responsible for memories. Higher order functioning of prefrontal cortex such as problem solving, planning, impulse control, decision

making is hampered by the trauma experienced by individuals in their early or late childhood. Overall, childhood trauma has far-reaching impacts on cognitive functioning by impairing neural connectivity and the size of the brain, making a person more prone to depressive disorders. However, it is important to note that such impairments can be overcome by therapy and supporting relations in mitigating such adverse effects by promoting healing and resilience.