What Abuse Does To Your Brain During Childhood

本站添加: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]Impulsive decision making.

[00:00:02]Dr. Jamie Hanson, neuroscientist and developmental psychologist, found that children who experienced abuse often struggled in school, got worse grades, were more likely to get into fights, and skipped classes. Similarly, research by Malik and colleagues showed that physical abuse made victims more likely to use drugs, drink [music] heavily, hurt themselves, and engage in risky sexual behavior.

[00:00:26]Both studies demonstrate how abuse not only overstimulates [music] the amygdala, but also damages the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision making and self-control.

[00:00:36]See, [music] what happens is the brain has gotten so used to reacting quickly to protect itself [music] that it struggles to think things through and make calm, well-thought-out choices.

[00:00:47]The emotional pain caused by abuse can also lead people to look for ways to escape or cope, no matter how unhealthy, leading them to engage in aggressive, reckless, and harmful behaviors.