The Psychological Effects on Traumatize Infants

Around 50 years ago PTSD was assumed to only happen to Veterans, moreover children were looked upon at the time of tragedies stating the irrelevance regarding their possible trauma because of their age. Though, from multiple instances it has shown ultimately that traumatic experiences mark infants' lives, affecting their personalities, development, memory and behavior. The symptoms regularly persisting into adulthood. “Children are believed to be naturally ‘resilient’ ” How do tragic events that happen to the children in the book “The Boy who was Raised as a Dog” affect them from a psychological perspective? Trauma can affect life in various ways, especially if the recipient is in the process of development. The long lasting effects can vary, depending on the coping mechanism the brain has provided, the trauma the child has suffered and the environment surrounding the child after the event. Regardless, the symptoms children show are not always what people expect or relate to trauma. Infants and children that have been through molestation, sexual assault, rape, occasionaly present wrongful associations with sexual behaviors. Their early experiences and environment have shaped them with dysfunctional conducts. Suffering from a traumatic event that may disturb the development of the brain can have lasting impacts on the child. Tina´s continuous sexual assaults resulted in the acute activation of her threat- mediating stress response neural systems; developing abnormalities in almost all the parts of her brain, creating dysfunction in all four of the brain main areas. Due to Tina’s young age and the constant abuse, she associated toxic sexual behaviors towards her a normal actions. Her brain did not process it as a damaging factor because it was her only experience with males larger than her, showcasing constant intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event. So when she first met her psychiatrist, the only thing she could expect from him was a certain kind of abusive behavior. Furthermore proving the importance for repetitive and patterned experiences in a safe environment. As expected, children with complex trauma have had chaotic and unpredictable early life experiences. Suffering early on from neglect, it inadvertently causes a negative effect on the stress response system by the continuous use of it, causing a wider range of damage than any other type of physical abuse. Disrupting the development of the brain, making children more susceptible to behavioral disorders. Justin had suffered since his birth a severe case of neglect and lack of nurturing. After the death of all of his parental figures, and being treated as a dog he developed early trauma; manifesting some symptoms of autism and schizophrenia; which was likely caused during his first year of life. Leading up to his underdeveloped brain to struggle; and needing the necessities of undergoing physical therapy, motor skills, and speech therapy. Nonetheless, there are numerous involvements where trauma has altered the brain on a psychological level; happening during the developmental stage. Children undergoing their first years are often forgotten in modern society, about the implications it has during childhood. In reference to the mentioned above, I can conclude that trauma is a complex response that the brain does to help process traumatic events. Without immediate treatment or help, the affected symptoms and health deteriorate. Creating lasting, positive relationships as well as having a safe environment being the best way to help traumatized children.