Understanding How Complex Trauma Impacts Development: A Guide for How to Heal
Written by Renae Regehr
Have you ever wondered why a trauma experienced in childhood can still affect someone deeply in the present day?
Complex trauma leaves a lasting imprint on an individual, much like the foundation of a house affects its structure. Just as the walls and roof are influenced by the groundwork laid in a home it is the same with how our brain, nervous systems, and sense of self develops.
What happens in the early years greatly matters and can lead to life-long echoes.
In this blog, we'll explore:
How does the brain develop?
Why does complex trauma leave a big imprint?
What are the key seven developmental domains?
How can you help your child heal?
How does the brain develop?
Imagine a 3-story house- you see the roof, windows, and doors all visible from the outside, yet what is unseen is the critical foundation impacting the safety and structure of the ground level, and even more so, the second and third floors. If walls or key supports are missing or put in improperly, the connecting walls and floors will be negatively affected.
Our brain develops hierarchically in a similar way.
While it is an oversimplification, it can be helpful to think of 3 levels of brain structures built like a triangle during the first years of life. The survival brain is built first, emotional and relational centers are built next with the logical/executive functioning parts of the brain built last.
Survival brain: Beginning in utero, the spinal cord and brainstem develops first managing automatic processes such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature. This part of the brain is often called the survival brain because its functioning ensures our survival.
Emotional and relational structures: Built upon the survival brain are structures responsible for emotions, attachment, and memory.
Executive functioning: The last to develop is the cortex and prefrontal cortices, responsible for reasoning, logic, problem-solving, and learning new information.
Babies and children operate primarily from the survival and emotional structures of their brain. Beginning in early adolescents the prefrontal cortices of the brain become increasingly more utilized.
As adults, the triangle inverts, and we operate more from our logical/executive functioning brain.
Why does complex trauma leave a big imprint?
When children endure complex trauma their development is often inhibited from progressing for multiple reasons. Some include:
Genetic interaction with the environment: Critical experiences trigger gene activation. Without essential developmental stimuli, specific brain parts may remain inactive.
Overactive stress response system: Frequent overwhelming stress without a supportive caregiver to help soothe a child can cause a child to be in a perpetual hyperarousal, affecting the survival brain and amygdala.
Survival-oriented responses: A world that is perceived as threatening will shift a child's focus to survival-oriented responses, negatively impacting the development of their emotional, attachment, relational, and cognitive growth.
What are the key seven developmental domains?
Just as everything built upon the foundation of a house is impacted, complex trauma affects seven developmental domains (NCTSN, 2003):
Neurological and biological maturity: This is like the foundation of the house - and refers to trauma’s effects on the brain, nervous system, and physiological systems of the child.
Overactive stress response and emotional regulation systems - Building upon the foundations are the stress response and emotional centers. These systems refer to how trauma impacts a child's sensitivity and reactivity to stress and how they regulate their emotions.
Attachment style and relationship: The early years of life lay a blueprint for how a child sees themselves in relation to others.
Identity development: As children are developmentally egocentric, when they endure complex trauma it deeply impacts their core beliefs and how they see themselves.
Behavior regulation: Developing later, this refers to a child's ability to regulate behaviours.
Cognitive and language: The top floor of the house. This domain refers to how trauma impacts a child’s ability for learning, thinking and language.
How can you help your child heal?
To effectively support a child healing from complex trauma, holistic understanding is essential. Recognize that, despite chronological age, they often remain developmentally younger.
Three ways to get started in helping your child heal are:
First, it is important to know that all behaviour is a form of communication. For children who have endured complex trauma (and often exhibit extreme behaviours) it is essential to understand why a behaviour is occurring to know effectively how to deal with the behaviour. Be curious about what is driving all behaviour.
Second, be a detective about what key things were missing from the child’s early years. The first years are so important because they lay a blueprint for how a child sees themselves and others (which is outside their conscious awareness). For example, if a child did not experience predictable, attuned caregiving they may not trust your good intentions of being there to support them, which may come out as guardedness, defiance, or extreme self-reliance.
Third, don’t take things personally. This is so much easier said than done, but it cannot be stressed enough. A child who has endured complex trauma has often been significantly let down by important adults in their life; if their trauma occurred in relationships then your relationship will be tested. Know your own triggers so you have greater capacity to respond and not react. It is often very helpful to explore your own childhood with a trusted friend or professional to know how your upbringing impacts you as an adult.
Healing is a comprehensive process that requires a holistic approach. Understanding how trauma impacts development is essential in creating long-lasting change. The truth is that complex trauma is often deeply impactful carrying life-long echoes; there are no short-cuts in healing. Fortunately, the brain continues to be remarkably resilient, and with the right support, children can have incredible healing and growth.
Parents, caregivers, educators, and mental health professionals play pivotal roles in supporting children. Compassion, patience, and a deep understanding of how complex trauma impacts development are key components for effective intervention.
If you find yourself struggling to help your child heal, and you seek a better understanding of their developmental stage, visit complextrauma.ca. Together, we can empower children to rewrite narratives of hope, strength, and develop a strong sense of identity.
Author
Renae Regehr, MA, RCC
Renae is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and holds a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She works with children, youth, and families who have been impacted by trauma and attachment disruptions. Renae also is the Founder of Free To Be Talks, a non-profit that promotes positive body image using a research-based curriculum that over 3,000 students have gone through across North America.
As a mother to four children of her own, biological and adoptive, Renae is passionate about child development and supporting parents and caregivers to ensure their children have a bright future.
