By Maureen V. Kilrain, MS, PA-C
Child neglect and abuse are perhaps the most significant community health challenge in the United States. Mental health experts in trauma continue to investigate and apply a condition known as developmental trauma disorder (DTD), which is characterized by permanent changes in the neurobiologic system of children and adolescents who have been chronically exposed to various types of maltreatment during sensitive periods of childhood development. It is believed that a specific criterion is urgently needed to improve recognition of the unique profile DTD victims encompass and to avoid misdiagnosis or confusion with other psychological syndromes, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In addition, the effects of DTD continue in adulthood and tend to correlate with multiple health problems. Medical providers may consider DTD an underlying cause of several conditions, including depression, anxiety, attention-deficit disorder (ADD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), chronic pain or fatigue, various addictions, and eating disorders. During clinical assessment, identifying a history of childhood trauma may broaden therapeutic choices and improve patient outcomes.
Share This Post!
Coronavirus is giving rise to another tragic issue. Child abuse.
By Chester Street Foundation Coronavirus is giving rise to another tragic issue. Child abuse. Hospitals in Texas have reported seeing an increase in child abuse cases, which they believe is driven [...]
Breaking the Cycle of Child Abuse
By Elizabeth Hartney, PhD Child abuse is known to repeat itself from generation to generation. Although not universal, the children of people with addictions are at higher risk of all types of abuse, [...]
Four Ways Teachers Can Show They Care
By VICKI ZAKRZEWSKI If I asked you to tell me what you remembered most about your favorite teacher growing up, I bet you wouldn’t say much about the subject matter. Instead, I’d expect [...]
CDC: Childhood Trauma Tied to Poor Health
By Gaby Galvin PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED trauma as children are more likely to suffer severe health consequences later in life, a new federal analysis shows. Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, refer to potentially [...]
School exclusions are on the up – but training teachers in trauma could help
By The Conversation After years of decline, school exclusions are on the rise again, according to official figures for the Department for Education. The Timpson review, carried out by former children’s minister [...]
How Trauma Affects Kids in School
By Caroline Miller We tend to think of trauma as the result of a frightening and upsetting event. But many children experience trauma through ongoing exposure, throughout their early development, to [...]