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Within
the developing brain of an infant, biological and chemical interactions
are occuring at a phenomenal rate. Recent and continuing brain research
unfolds increasing evidence that early stresses may play a major role
in later-life emotional and social development. The common involvement (in infants) of orbital, temporal, and amygdala
neurons in the processing of sensory (particularly visual) information
with emotional significance suggests that these areas may form part of
a specialized neural system used to process social stimuli. 4
Psychohistorian Lloyd deMause explains that, "Traumas which are inescapable
because of helplessness can severely damage the hippocampus, killing neurons
(causing lesions). This damage is caused by the release of a cascade of
cortisol, adrenaline and other stress hormones during traumatization that
not only damage brain cells and impair memory but also set in motion a
long-lasting disregulation of the brain's biochemistry." 5 An
abundance of repeated surges of these chemicals and hormones to the brain
is also believed to cause the amygdala to become desensitized to the fear-response
and normal levels of serotonin to be reduced.
For example, animals that are traumatized when they are young grow up
to be cowardly bullies, with less vasopressin,
which regulates aggression, and low levels of serotonin, which is commonly
known as a calming neurotransmitter. Low serotonin is the most important
marker for violence in animals and humans, and has been correlated with
high rates of homicide, suicide, arson, antisocial disorders, self-mutilation,
and other disorders of aggression. 6
Additionally, "Very early maternal neglect in particular has been shown
to produce an undersized orbitofrontal
cortex--the brain region behind the eyes that allows one to reflect
on one's emotions and to empathize with the feelings of others--resulting
in such a diminished self and such a low capacity for empathy that the
baby grows up literally unable to feel guilt about hurting others."7
Since recent imaging scans of brains in living human subjects show that
the amygdala is the central site of fear conditioning, it is believed that
this conditioning also plays a primary role in such anxiety disorders as
phobias,
post-traumatic
stress disorder, bipolar and panic
disorder.8
According
to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), one in eight
kids aged 9-17 suffers from at least one anxiety disorder each year.
Despite their prevalence, these disorders often remain hidden or
misdiagnosed until later complications – such as depression and
substance abuse – show up in adolescence and adulthood. Given that such extensive brain development occurs during the first years of
life, it is plausible to consider that repeated trauma caused by these brain altering chemical surges during
numerous and/or extended periods
of unattended crying, unresolved separation
anxieties and other fear-response
situations, may predispose an individual to later-life impairments in emotional
and social functioning.
Page: >>>> 1, 2, 3,
References
1. Lloyd
deMause Childhood and History, The Neurobiology of
2. Parallel
Memories: Putting Emotions Back Into The Brain, Joseph LeDoux , Neuroscientist
3-6. Lloyd
deMause Childhood and History, The Neurobiology of
7.
War as Righteous Rape and Purification, by Lloyd deMause
8. Lessons
from Fear Conditioning by Mary Lynn Hendrix, OSI, NIMH
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