THUNAIScientific research by neuroscientists describes a constellation of brain abnormalities associated with childhood abuse.
There are four major components:
Limbic irritability, marked by an increased prevalence of symptoms suggestive of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and by an increased incidence of clinically significant EEG (brain wave) abnormalities. TLE may lead to pseudo-seizures, headaches, flushing, shortness of breath and may predispose one to panic and stress disorders and attention disorders. The limbic system becomes hyper vigilant, making the fight or flight response the default mode.
Deficient development and differentiation of the left hemisphere, manifested throughout the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, which is involved in executive function and memory retrieval. This leads to the inability to manage day to day functionalities and more complex problems in life. A smaller hippocampus is thought to contribute to a negative bias of events.
Deficient left-right hemisphere integration, indicated by marked shifts in hemispheric activity during memory recall and by underdevelopment of the middle portions of the corpus callosum, the primary pathway connecting the two hemispheres. The amount of grey matter is impacted and new functional MRI studies are showing more interconnectivity issues between neural networks. Emotion regulation is impacted. IQ and working memory are also impacted.
Abnormal activity in the cerebellar vermis (the middle strip between the two hemispheres of the brain), which appears to play an important role in emotional and attentional balance and regulates electrical activity within the limbic system. This may predispose one to depression, autism and schizophrenia.
Recent research on neuroplasticity provides hope against such monumental damage caused by abuse. Lot of the damage is indeed reversible and/or manageable. It takes years of learning and practicing the skills needed for recovery. If you are trying to help a survivor, recognize the mountains that they need to climb on their road to recovery. It is not an easy task, so respect them for even the smallest of efforts that they make in their recovery.