For many of us who endured childhood abuse or neglect, the scars aren’t just emotional — they’re physical, lingering long after the traumatic events themselves. While this has been a known fact, it was not yet well understood why this risk persists many decades after the ill-treatment first happened.
Now, a new study has validated the profound toll this early-life adversity takes on the health, from brains to bodies of the victim of abuse. Published in the ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’, the study delved into the experiences of over 21,000 adults aged 40-70, including their histories of childhood maltreatment and their current health status.
They analysed this data from the UK Biobank along with their body mass index (BMI), C-reactive protein levels (that reveal signs of inflammation) and their experiences of childhood ill-treatment and adult trauma.
By studying brain scans of adults, the researchers from the University of Cambridge, UK found that there were widespread changes in the brain structure such as increased thickness and reduced volume, associated with obesity, inflammation and repeated trauma stemming from childhood ill-treatment.
These structural changes, therefore suggested physical damage inflicted on the brain cells that affected their functioning, said Professor Edward Bullmore, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, and author of the study.
“We’ve long known that childhood maltreatment increases the risk of mental illness. But now, with this deeper understanding of the physical changes it induces in the brain and body, we’re hopeful for the future. By identifying biomarkers early on, we can intervene sooner, providing targeted support to those who need it most.”
Responding to the study outcome, Shweta Sharma, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Manipal Hospitals, Gurugram concurred that “experiencing abuse or neglect as a child can profoundly impact psychological and physiological development. Psychological theories suggest that adverse childhood experiences can disrupt attachment patterns, leading to difficulties in regulating emotions and behaviors. “
She was of the opinion that children who experience abuse or neglect often have disrupted attachment relationships with caregivers, and individuals may develop maladaptive coping mechanisms such as overeating, substance abuse, or engaging in risky behaviors. Overeating, in particular, can lead to obesity over time. Also, said Dr Sharma, who also happens to be General Secretary of Indian Association of Clinic Psychologists, childhood trauma can lead to chronic stress, which dysregulates the body’s stress response system, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system.
“Dysregulation in these systems can lead to increased inflammation in the body, as stress hormones such as cortisol can impact immune function. Overall, the combination of disrupted attachment, maladaptive coping mechanisms, chronic stress, epigenetic changes, and health behaviors contributes to the increased vulnerability of individuals who have experienced childhood abuse or neglect to obesity, inflammation, and trauma throughout their lives,” she concluded.