Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and their associated Mental Health Disorders

September 21, 2020

This month we have been discussing complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD/ c-PTSD/ Complex PTSD) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). So far, we have explored the definitions of both, and some of the long-term consequences to the lives of children who survive their devastating effects into adulthood.

Today, we are going to examine the many mental health disorders which are directly related to both ACEs and CPTSD.

Some of the research we will be discussing is cutting edge and still debated in offices, laboratories and campuses all around the globe.

The Central Nervous System Changes Caused by ACEs: A Recap

 In previous articles we looked into the brain changes which occur due to the levels of stress hormones which flood young children’s bodies when they experience ACEs. Let us recap last week’s information so we can better understand the mental health disorders caused by early childhood trauma.

To prepare our body for the fight/flight/or freeze response, hormones are released when the threat becomes noticed. These substances, neurotransmitters, alert our body to breathe faster and to increase our heartbeat, among other reactions necessary to help us get ready to fight or flee.

Typically, after the danger has passed, our body will return to baseline where the hormones stop flowing, and we return to a resting state. However, the bodies of children who are in constant danger of being attacked, are never given the chance to return to baseline.

The problem with this picture is that these substances cause harm to the child’s developing brain. This damage results in smaller than normal amygdalae and hippocampi as well as other changes which set up the child for a myriad of problems as they reach adulthood.

There are many responses we may be leaving out here, but we’ll tackle the other brain changes later when we discuss the different mental health issues caused by ACEs.

The Evidence:

ACEs and Their Direct Link to Mental Health Issues 

 It is common knowledge now that adverse childhood experiences, including all forms of child abuse and neglect, are deeply connected to mental health problems in adults. Yet, there are still some scholars and pharmaceutical companies who would discredit these findings.

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