Brookhaven Hospital: Mental Health Treatment for Behavioral Health Problems, Chemical Dependency, Eating Disorders, Brain Injuries, and Renewal Christian Treatment and Recovery

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 2:49 PM
posted by Rolf B. Gainer, Ph.D.

Long Term Impact of Childhood Trauma

Trauma poses lifelong effects for individuals exposed as children.The negative effects can extend for years post trauma exposure specifically in terms of risk for mood and anxiety disorders. Studies of adult psychiatric patients have long told us of the psychobiologic effects of exposure to long term adversity. Studies of PTSD further support the evidence of brain changes created by trauma. In a recent study, (Pole N. et al, Associations between Childhood Trauma and Emotion-Modulated Psychophysiological Responses to Startling Sounds: A Study of Police Cadets, Journal of Abnormal Psychology 2007 May; 116: 352-61) individuals without current psychopathology who had childhood trauma demonstrated greater reactivity and self-reported psychological effects to differing levels of potential threat via a finger shock. The childhood trauma group had fewer positive emotions, more negative emotions, greater eyeblink response and greater skin conductance than the group without trauma histories.

What becomes important for clinicians is to consider the importance of a childhood history of trauma in the identification of Axis I disorders in individuals without prior psychiatric histories.If we understand that trauma can produce changes in the brain, we can apply that understanding to the responses of adults exposed to stress and anxiety. These individuals may have a greater likelihood of developing psychiatric problems later in life due to a more sensitized response mode.

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Rolf B. Gainer, Ph.D., Diplomate ABDA, is the Chief Executive Office at Brookhaven Hospital and the Vice President of Rehabilitation Institutes of America. Dr. Gainer has been involved in the design and operation of treatment programs since 1977.

Stephen Harnish, MD is the Medical Director of Brookhaven Hospital. Dr. Harnish is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and is well known in Oklahoma for his informative radio and television appearances.

Aric Thorpe, MHR, is Brookhaven Hospital's Pastoral Liaison Representative. He conducts the quarterly Minister's Lifeline series and provides mental health information to pastors and clergy.

Sarah McGee, BA, serves as the Community Education Provider for Brookhaven Hospital. She provides information on mental health and drug and alcohol treatment to healthcare professionals in Oklahoma and surrounding states.

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