Early trauma and abuse also lead to poor development of the subcortical and limbic systems which result in great anxiety, depression, and difficulty forming relationships (Children’s Bureau et al., 2001). Memories of trauma and abuse are often made permanent because of continual activation of the neural pathways involved in the fear response. Such memories are so forceful that they shape a child’s discernment of and reaction to new environments (Children’s Bureau et al., 2001).
Children who have been victims of abuse or trauma may present behaviors such as a hyper-aroused state, dissociation, a difficult attachment process, and overall stunted development as a result (Children’s Bureau et al., 2001). Children who received little stimulation in many areas such as cognitive, emotional, and touch will be impaired severely and have many symptoms (Children’s Bureau et al., 2001).
Hyper-arousal is one example of an altered perception of an environment. A hyper-vigilant individual’s brain is focused on environmental cues that are seen as threatening. The result is an overly anxious or aggressive response. However, such cues may not in reality be threatening. Older children and males typically exhibit this behavior (Children’s Bureau et al., 2001).
Younger children and females or children who feel powerless typically exhibit dissociation as a symptom of abuse and neglect (Children’s Bureau et al., 2001). Dissociation occurs when a child asks for help, then freezes, complies, and dissociates when help is not given. Dissociative behaviors are related to different hard-wired neural pathways than the hyper-arousal behaviors (Children’s Bureau et al., 2001).