Trauma impacts the brain, other body systems
Psychologists and counselors have known for a while that emotional, sexual, and physical abuse can have impacts on victims' bodies that are greater than the damage inflicted at the time of the abuse.
Children are especially vulnerable, as their growing minds tend to internalize the terror and frustration of abuse, which many times is inflicted by a family member or trusted adult.
It's the mind-body connection, according to psychologist Dr. Joe Troiani, director of behavioral health programs at the Will County Health Department.
"Trauma will have an impact on the brain," Troiani says, "probably especially a child's brain. Trauma research has shown that because of biopsychosocial aspects, the body still feels it even though it's past the trauma. We are integrated in terms of our minds and our bodies . . . You cannot have good physical health without good mental health. Abuse, even emotional abuse, tends to have a physical impact."
That can lead to physiological problems, and even suicide, as adults struggle, and sometimes fail, to handle what life throws at them, the researchers said.
In normal adults, there are receptors in the brain that detect cortisol, a stress hormone, and help clear it from the brain. Adults who had been abused as children had as many as 40 percent fewer receptors, and their cortisol was not cleared from their brains as well.
These physical changes seen in the brain decades after child abuse may be just one of the long-term consequences of abuse. Troiani said other physical manifestations of child abuse seen in adults can be problems with the cardiovascular system, digestive system, headaches, back pain, problems sleeping, and several behavior difficulties.
Be on the lookout for early signs of child abuse, Troiani said, such as if a child begins to get in fights at school, appears isolated or withdrawn, shows evidence of cutting or other self-destructive behavior, has bruises or injuries that are inconsistent with the reason given for the injury, has an eating disorder, or starts drinking or using drugs.
"Abusing alcohol and drugs to them is like checking out, even though they're still physically stuck in the situation," Troiani explained, "and if they are teens and are getting into fights at school, I will ask them what's going on at home."
Abuse is not just physical. Troiani said that it can be verbal, as well, or caused by neglect. Screaming and yelling or not communicating at all is emotional neglect, he said. A situation where there is no bonding occurring between parent and child is very psychologically damaging.
Children who were abused frequently may become abusers themselves as they grow up, although Troiani said it doesn't have to be that way. Counseling helps tremendously, he said, for several reasons.
One is that it helps for the child to know he or she is not alone. Another is that it's important for children to know they did not cause the abuse and, thirdly, counseling can lead to an understanding of the situation, which relieves some of the conflicting emotions a child may have.
Troiani calls child abuse "a serious problem" and says that anyone who suspects a child is being abused should call the Department of Child and Family Services and report it.
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