Stress has a significant impact on a child's brain development
Alcoholism of a primary caretaker (mother) has a more detrimental effect on a child compared to if the father was the alcoholic
Chronic stress from the alcoholic mother's unpredictable behavior and daily care responsibilities can have a lifelong impact on a child's brain development
As the child grows into adulthood, the mind has already developed to handle traumatic experiences and the behavior will continue until treated
Brain of children of alcoholics or those who have been traumatized is the same as a soldier of war
Dr. Amen emphasizes that healing is available, and Tana shares her experience with EMDR therapy
It's crucial to seek help if struggling with the effects of a traumatic childhood
There is always hope for improvement and a chance to live a normal, healthy life
Stress can have a significant impact on the development of a child's brain. In his podcast episode, Dr. Amen, discussed the lifelong impact that a parent's alcoholism can have on children. He explains that if the mother is the primary caretaker and an alcoholic, it can have a more detrimental effect on the child compared to if the father was the alcoholic. This is because the mother's unpredictable behavior and daily care responsibilities can induce chronic stress in the child.
As the child grows into adulthood, their mind has already developed to handle these traumatic experiences, and their behavior will continue as a pattern until treated. Tana, Dr. Amen's wife, shared her personal experience of growing up with alcoholic parents and how it still affects her as an adult.
"What happens in the brain for the children of alcoholics and other children who’ve been traumatized… those children who grow up with trauma have the same brain as a soldier of war. So, growing up with the trauma, it changed your brain to be more vigilant, to be more watchful." However, Dr. Amen emphasizes that it's not hopeless, and there is healing available. Tana shares her experience with EMDR therapy, which has helped her to reduce the severity of her symptoms.
What is EMDR therapy? EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, which aims to treat trauma and related mental health issues. It involves the use of eye movements, tapping, or other forms of bilateral stimulation to stimulate the brain's natural healing processes and help individuals process and integrate traumatic memories. EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety disorders, and is widely used by therapists and mental health professionals.
In conclusion, growing up under stress can change the way a child thinks and develop into adulthood. It's crucial to seek help if you or someone you love is struggling with the effects of a traumatic childhood. Remember, you are not stuck with the brain you have, and there is always hope for improvement and a chance to live a normal, healthy life.
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