Sexual Abuse And The Brain

Basic structures within the brain can be altered by the exposure to abuse. Two structures set deep within the brain, the hippocampus and the amygdala, have been found to be smaller in people abused in childhood as compared with people who were not abused. The hippocampus is known to be involved in the process of learning, memory and depression. The amygdala helps to regulate emotions, mood, fear and sleep. It is no wonder, then, that traumatized people can suffer from so many problems.

 

ABUSE AND THE BRAIN
Michael J. Salamon, Ph.D. • The Jewish Press

We may not want to accept it, but abuse occurs everywhere, even in our own communities. The effects of abuse are devastating and long lasting - not only on those individuals who are abused but on their families as well. Even one act of abuse against a person, regardless of age, can have a significantly negative impact that may last a lifetime.

The impact is often much worse when the abuse occurs to a child. People, especially children, who are abused can and often do develop a constellation of different mental health problems including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideas and acts, post-traumatic stress, eating disorders and a variety of other problems most notably character flaws referred to as personality disorders. We understand that abuse is wrong and harmful and should not be tolerated but we are not all that clear on why and just how severe abuses' bearing is on the most basic quality of life issues.

Recent neuropsychological research is beginning to explain why abuse can harm even the most resilient of individuals. What we are learning is that the old nature versus nurture controversy is simply a straw man. Both components - the genes we are born with and the nurturing we are provided - work together, virtually in equal measure, in forming who we are. This finding has led to an area of research entitled epigenetics. The epigenetic approach has found that the environment an individual is exposed to has an impact on both the expression of the underlying genetics a person is born with and can also actively alter the internal structure of genes themselves.

Not only genes but certain basic structures within the brain may be altered by the exposure to abuse. Two structures set deep within the brain, the hippocampus and the amygdala, have been found to be smaller in people abused in childhood as compared with people who were not exposed to trauma. The hippocampus is known to be involved in the process of learning, memory and depression. The amygdala helps to regulate emotions, mood, fear and sleep. It is no wonder, then, that traumatized people can suffer from so many problems. While the young, developing brain may be more vulnerable to these actual physical changes, trauma has been found to alter brain make up regardless of the age of the maltreated person.

What is most interesting is that just as the brain may be altered by horribly traumatic experiences, positive experiences may also alter the brain. Loving, nurturing, supportive and encouraging experiences help the developing brain make connections at the cellular level that enhance experiences later in life. A warm early life has been linked to the development of a resilient approach to life. People who are resilient tend to see challenges as opportunities and have a "can do" attitude about life. They have a healthy network of social and family support, are often very spiritual and have a religious perspective on the meaning of life.

Abused people are more likely to avoid social involvement and discount the spiritual aspects of life. Treatment is predicated on the concept of "plasticity." Just as the brain may be molded by traumatic experiences it may also be reshaped into a healthier functioning mode by the right therapy and the correct positive social and emotional experiences. For some people the process of change may take many years, even decades; for some the change may never come; but for many it may happen in just a few years.

Of course, one of the best ways to help stop the spiraling negativity and subsequent pathology that traumatized people experience throughout their lives is to stop their abuse and give them the social support and nurturing they so desperately need. That unfortunately does not seem to be a real possibility just yet. Abuse will probably continue and in most communities there is still an entrenched habit of blaming the victim.

While abusers are likely to have been abused themselves when they were young, only about 20 percent of those who were abused become abusers. The remaining 80 percent tend to lead internally troubled lives. Both these groups need to be identified and dealt with. There is not much clinical or research evidence that supports a treatment that successfully stops abusers from continuing their abusive behaviors there are however ways to contain abusers so that they no longer hurt others.

Unfortunately, there has been little attempt in most communities to do so. This is doubly unfortunate because if there were an active attempt to contain abusers, not only would others not be traumatized by them, those who were abused in the past would be helped in their healing. They would see they are not discounted - or worse, blamed for the abuse they experienced. They would see a community that is empathetic and caring and they might just open up enough to begin the therapeutic process that allows them to begin their healing.

Dr. Michael Salamon, a fellow of the American Psychological Association, is the founder and director of ADC Psychological Services in Hewlett, New York and a board member of Ptach. He is the author of numerous articles and several psychological tests. His recent books include The Shidduch Crisis: Causes and Cures, (Urim Publications) and Every Pot Has a Cover (University Press of America). His new book on abuse will be available later this spring.

Comments

[Common Sense]

Nice read...but last I checked he looks modern, probably doesn't support 'Dass Toyreh', and is secularly educated. He will be easily discredited for this by the 'haiymish', and I'm sure their own 'eitza givers' and 'therapists' have a 'different mehalech', hence his scientific knowledge will fall on deaf ears in the exact community which needs to hear it most.

[jancsipista]

common sense- you certainly make alot of sense i must say

[Adam Neira]

The traumatic effects of child sexual abuse are most certainly not a life sentence. The more healing you do the closer you come to the pure, innocent and free state that existed prior to the abuse. You also become a lot closer to G-d. The life stages, plus healing stages if embarked on, are as follows :

(22)Mindfulness

(21)Fully Healed

(20)Study, New Goals, New Self Concept/Esteem, New Relationships

(19)Aware that I am Aware : Re-integration

(18)Healing. Super Empowerment -Confronting the Abuser

(17)Dealing with Anger

(16)Hyper vigilance

(15)Confusion, Fear, Nausea

(14)Emotional Release - The Choice to Investigate, Heal

(13)Surprise, shock

(12)Repressed Emotions Resurfacing

(11)Thought, Memories Resurfacing

(10)Aware that I am Unaware

(9)Some Sense of Safety Found

(8)Unaware that I am Unaware - Search for safety

(7) Repression Kicks In (Repression factor increases based on closeness of relationship with perpetrator, later proximity to the perpetrator, number of assaults and severity of abuse. See "Betrayal Trauma" by Jennifer Freyd; "Too Scared to Cry" and "Unchained Memories" by Lenore Terr; "Trauma and Recovery" by Judith Lewis-Herman; "The Courage to Heal by Lenore Bass and Ellen Davis; "The Assault on Truth: Freud's Suppression of the Seduction Theory" by Jeffrey Masson.)

(6) Child Sexual Abuse (Usually commences between the ages of 3 1/2 to 8 y.o. Of course, not everyone on the Planet over the age of 3 1/2 has been sexually abused but the real percentage of victims would completely shock most people.)

(5) Pure, Innocent and Free

(4) Birth

(3) Gestation

(2) Conception

(1) Pre-Conception

I hit stage ten in August 1995. I reached stage nineteen on Feb. 2nd 1998 and stage twenty one in late 1999. The website World Peace 2050 was established in April 2000. (BTW, going from stage nine to stage twenty should be a linear process but it is not for many people. More of a two steps forward one step backwards process. Some get stuck at one of the stages for the rest of their lives. Nearly every perpetrator alive will do everything in their power to control their victims and hide the crimes.) Since late Sep. 1999 I really committed to learning about the power structures of the world. The higher you go on the mountain the more good and more evil you can see. As Maimonides explains prophecy is a gift/curse given to very righteous souls who break through the layers of denial which blanket the eyes of humankind. As I learnt when I first started studying the Bible in depth in late 2000 the interesting thing with Abraham, Moses and Joseph is that they all left their childhood homes, through force or circumstance, had periods in the wilderness and were touched by G-d. In effect they "healed" and self-actualized to a far greater extent than their fellows.

As I have been advocating for fifteen years, wouldn't it be wonderful if all the crimes and misdemeanours of the world were revealed for all to see. Then we would place the right people in positions of authority and the world civilization would really be able to unfold its potential.

Just as there is a hierarchy of money, power and military might in the world, so there is a hierarchy of awareness and healing on the Planet.

There is so much more to be said and counselled on regarding the subjects of consciousness, healing, traumatic conditioning, repression, memories and the true potential of humankind. Not enough space here.

Just to finish and to explain how all of this relates to Judaism, the Tanach, the Twelfth Article of Faith, Prophecy and Government...

Regarding the installation of the correct form of sovereignty in Jerusalem well let me explain via Isaiah 2:1-5.

What the "mountain of the house of the lord" means is the following. Mountain implies peak, apex, highest point, i.e. the wisest opinion, perspective will present itself at some point. This higher authority will thus need to be heeded. The "chief of the mountains" bit means that this person will have to recognized, supported and heeded as the leader of the generation. The part about the word going forth from Zion alludes to the fact that at some point this person will be installed in Jerusalem proper.

[Adam Neira]

Because I have had enough of the lies that are piling up I am now going to deconstruct this entire article. I am an expert on these issues. I do not use that word lightly. Sometimes it is necessary to speak up. One cent of truth will beat a billion dollars of bullshit...

We may not want to accept it,

(True !)

but abuse occurs everywhere, even in our own communities. The effects of abuse are devastating and long lasting - not only on those individuals who are abused but on their families as well.

(True !)

Even one act of abuse against a person, regardless of age, can have a significantly negative impact

(True)

that may last a lifetime.

(Incorrect if healing takes place. Impact is reduced to zero if full healing occurs. See my above comments.)

The impact is often much worse when the abuse occurs to a child. People, especially children, who are abused can and often do develop a constellation of different mental health problems including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideas and acts, post-traumatic stress, eating disorders and a variety of other problems...

(True but every human being alive occupies some place on the healing/awareness spectrum. No one is perfect. Some are just more perfect than others)

...most notably character flaws referred to as personality disorders.

(This is further psychiatric pigeonholing. This is dangerous because every human being alive is a multifaceted creature with great potential. We are living in the last days of the Dark Ages of Mental Health, bizrat hashem.)

We understand that abuse is wrong and harmful and should not be tolerated but we are not all that clear on why and just how severe abuses' bearing is on the most basic quality of life issues.

(Some understand this issue more than others.)

Recent neuropsychological research is beginning to explain why abuse can harm even the most resilient of individuals.

(A wise, empathatic, caring student of human nature does need a degree in neuropsychology to relate to an abused person.)

What we are learning is that the old nature versus nurture controversy is simply a straw man. Both components - the genes we are born with and the nurturing we are provided - work together, virtually in equal measure, in forming who we are.

(Incorrect. Not enough space here to expound on this, suffice to say the conditioning/nurture component is much more significant than most people realise.)

This finding has led to an area of research entitled epigenetics.

(Super controversial field !)

The epigenetic approach has found that the environment an individual is exposed to has an impact on both the expression of the underlying genetics a person is born with and can also actively alter the internal structure of genes themselves.

(Incorrect !)

Not only genes but certain basic structures within the brain may be altered by the exposure to abuse.

(He is being disingenuous and going from one possible point to another. The linking is mischievous in the extreme.)

Two structures set deep within the brain, the hippocampus and the amygdala, have been found to be smaller in people abused in childhood as compared with people who were not exposed to trauma. The hippocampus is known to be involved in the process of learning, memory and depression.

(A fully healed person has one of the best memories, both short and long term, possible. Just ask my friends about my memory. Healing clears up the dross, puts things in their right place, like tidying a messy bookshelf and you are able to process thoughts, memories, visualisations, dreams and learnings far more efficiently than before.)

The amygdala helps to regulate emotions, mood, fear and sleep.

(This is mere conjecture.)

It is no wonder, then, that traumatized people can suffer from so many problems.

(Pigeonholing again. Ask Bertha Pappenheim what she thought about Freud.)

While the young, developing brain may be more vulnerable to these actual physical changes, trauma has been found to alter brain make up regardless of the age of the maltreated person.

(100% incorrect. See “Trauma and Recovery” by Judith Lewis Herman who shows how it is possible to rate the effects of various traumatic events.)

What is most interesting is that just as the brain may be altered by horribly traumatic experiences, positive experiences may also alter the brain. Loving, nurturing, supportive and encouraging experiences help the developing brain make connections at the cellular level that enhance experiences later in life. A warm early life has been linked to the development of a resilient approach to life. People who are resilient tend to see challenges as opportunities and have a "can do" attitude about life. They have a healthy network of social and family support, are often very spiritual and have a religious perspective on the meaning of life.

(No argument, but the “I had a perfect childhood” argument most often masks something else. People love to appear normal and healthy to others whilst inside they are churning. I know of a young orthodox Jewish man who said he had the perfect upbringing and his father actually wrote a book on perfect parenting. Things unfortunately were not all hunky dory in his life.)

Abused people are more likely to avoid social involvement and discount the spiritual aspects of life.

(Absolute rubbish ! Yes many may turn to drugs but this in a way is their coping mechanism to attain a sense of transcendence and spirituality within the confines of the darkness they did not choose for themselves. Some also have a very deep sense of spirituality without drugs. G-d can reach into the darkest of places.)

Treatment is predicated on the concept of "plasticity." Just as the brain may be moulded by traumatic experiences it may also be reshaped into a healthier functioning mode by the right therapy and the correct positive social and emotional experiences. For some people the process of change may take many years, even decades; for some the change may never come; but for many it may happen in just a few years.

(The rate and depth of healing depends on setting.)

Of course, one of the best ways to help stop the spiralling negativity and subsequent pathology that traumatized people experience throughout their lives is to stop their abuse and give them the social support and nurturing they so desperately need.

(Elementary my dear Watson !)

That unfortunately does not seem to be a real possibility just yet.

(??? What a bizarre statement. There are many, many successful stories of healing, and there are millions of people devoted to helping others through such trauma all around the world. What audience is he writing for ? What is the intention of his article ? Does he have a word limit imposed by the editors ? Such defeatist language. This guy offers all the hope to a drowning person as a lead balloon !)

Abuse will probably continue and in most communities there is still an entrenched habit of blaming the victim.

(Correct. This dynamic needs to be shifted.)

While abusers are likely to have been abused themselves when they were young...

(All perpetrators were sexually abused as a child)

...only about 20 percent of those who were abused become abusers.

(He has plucked this figure out of the thin air or a cheap "scientific" paper based on air. It is extremely dangerous because it suggests that 1 in 5 people who have been abused will turn into abusers. It all depends on what happens after the abuse occurs. All behaviour is a result of mindset and setting. See my above comments in precious post about stages of healing.)

The remaining 80 percent tend to lead internally troubled lives.

(Pigeonholing again. It is very easy to pathologise. There are so many dangerous labels out there given by medical professionals it is criminal. An over interest in a pathology is a pathology in itself.)

Both these groups need to be identified and dealt with. There is not much clinical or research evidence that supports a treatment that successfully stops abusers from continuing their abusive behaviours there are however ways to contain abusers so that they no longer hurt others.

(Rubbish again. It is possible to turn a serial murderer into a doting grandfather. This guy is not an expert in this field by a long shot. How much was he paid for the article ? Again has it been written to suit a certain political agenda ?)

Unfortunately, there has been little attempt in most communities to do so. This is doubly unfortunate because if there were an active attempt to contain abusers, not only would others not be traumatized by them, those who were abused in the past would be helped in their healing. They would see they are not discounted - or worse, blamed for the abuse they experienced. They would see a community that is empathetic and caring and they might just open up enough to begin the therapeutic process that allows them to begin their healing.

(Voila ! He finishes on a very positive note. Saved his best for last !)

P.S. I will happily sit in an open forum with the author and anyone else he wants to bring along and discuss certain subjects. I'll have my library, notes, court records, witnesses, friends and other real experts in the field ready if need be. The discussion about healing, consciousness and the true potential of human beings could go on for weeks. It would be interesting viewing. A bit like a modern day, enlightened version of what Charcot did in the Salpêtrière from 1882 to 1893. Very interesting how few people know about Jean Charcot. His findings were remarkable and gave enormous power to certain people...