Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Life Course PDF
Preview Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Life Course
Adverse Childhood Experiences The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Life Course Kathleen Brewer-Smyth 123 Adverse Childhood Experiences Kathleen Brewer-Smyth Adverse Childhood Experiences The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Life Course Kathleen Brewer-Smyth School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences University of Delaware Newark, DE, USA ISBN 978-3-031-08800-1 ISBN 978-3-031-08801-8 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland Soli Deo Gloria To God who makes all things possible. And to my husband, Thomas McKean Smyth for supporting me in understanding and dealing with my dysfunction that resulted from my own adverse childhood experiences and for managing everything else so I could focus on writing this book. Foreword by Ann Wolbert Burgess Dr. Kathleen Brewer-Smyth, a nurse neuroscientist, has devoted her outstanding research to understanding negative childhood experiences and how the brain works under normal conditions as well as under stress and traumatic experiences. Her impressive academic background and highly praised research lend strong credibility to make her the foremost authority to write a book on the neuroscience of trauma. Trauma is so prevalent in our society; it is essential for people to understand how to respond to survivors. The goal is to promote healing, resilience, and the best brain functioning throughout the life span for themselves and others. This book provides an overview of how to do that and the current science to support practical applications. Promoting optimal mental health is critical for everyone, not just survivors after trauma. This book provides the recipe for a healthy brain, which is essential for survivors of traumatic experiences. This book should be on everyone’s bookshelf. I highly recommend it for health- care and education professionals, survivors after trauma and all who work with them, and for the public. Ann Wolbert Burgess, D.N.Sc., APRN, FAAN William F. Connell School of Nursing Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA, USA Ann Wolbert Burgess, D.N.Sc., APRN, FAAN, is a Professor of Psychiatric Nursing. She is an internationally recognized pioneer in the assessment and treat- ment of victims of trauma and abuse. She co-founded one of the first hospital-based crisis counseling programs and worked with FBI Academy special agents to study serial offenders and the links between child abuse, juvenile delinquency, and subse- quent perpetration. She has received numerous honors and awards and is recognized as a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing. vii Foreword by Christina D. Spink As a public school teacher and administrator of over 35 years, I find Dr. Kathleen Brewer-Smyth’s book clearly defines the negative educational and behavioral out- comes that trauma-affected students bring daily to the classroom. However, even more importantly, she provides hopeful practices and solutions to potentially mini- mize the decline in neurological functions and to decrease potential further risky behaviors of our students as they mature. Following these trauma-informed prac- tices and care guides consistently in an educational setting can result in Dr. Brewer- Smyth’s positive proclamation for our students that, “Adversity is not destiny”! Christina D. Spink, Ed.D. Christina D. Spink, Ed.D., has decades of experience with urban multicultural education as a teacher and school principal. ix Foreword by Harold G. Koenig Dr. Kathleen Brewer-Smyth’s education, research, and life experiences have made her the best person to write this book. I highly recommend that everyone should read this volume, not just professionals and survivors after trauma, but also for any- one since we all experience trauma in one way or another. Trauma is very prevalent and places survivors at greater risk for adverse psychological, social, behavioral, and physical health outcomes. Everything described here—from factors that pro- mote resilience, neuroprotection, and healing of the brain after trauma—is impor- tant for everyone who wants a healthy brain. This excellent review of the current research supports practical applications that are understandable for all. This very timely book is a must-read for everyone who is seeking optimal mental health for themselves and others, particularly all of us who have been suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Harold G. Koenig, R.N., M.H.Sc., M.D. Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Associate Professor of Medicine Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC, USA Department of Medicine King Abdulaziz University Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Ningxia Medical University Yinchuan, P.R. China Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran Harold G. Koenig, R.N., M.H.Sc., M.D., is a Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. He has authored or co-authored nearly 600 peer-reviewed academic publications and over 55 books that have been extensively cited. His work is well known worldwide. xi Preface Everyone faces adversities of varying degrees. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and other lifetime trauma are at an all-time high. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has been an adversity with ripple effects of numerous psychosocial, financial, educational, and physical sources of toxic stress that can lead to complex trauma for children and adults. Millions of mothers were forced to evacuate with their children from war-torn areas. Children are being trafficked or have no choice but to live in an abusive or otherwise toxic environment. Even the most well-intend- ing parents in the most enriched environments may have their parenting compro- mised by stress that was at the highest rates ever recorded by the American Psychological Association in 2022. The first half of this book is a synthesis of the research on many potential neuro- biological and other health risks faced by survivors of ACEs and other trauma throughout the life course. Fortunately, trauma does not define us. Adversity is not destiny. Part IV of this book provides encouraging modifiable risk factors and inter- ventions to promote optimal brain function, resilience and healing for everyone, especially survivors of ACEs and other trauma in order to prevent potential negative outcomes throughout the life course. The second half of this book is a synthesis of the research evidence for many aspects of recovery and neuroprotection that could benefit everyone, not just survivors of ACEs and other trauma. Who does not want a healthier brain? Everything that one should do to promote healing and resilience in the face of trauma is important for everyone to optimize brain health. What could qualify one to have the credibility to write a book on this topic other than first-hand experience as a survivor of adverse childhood experiences, followed by sub- sequent decades of research to understand the potential epigenetics and neurobiology for healing and prevention of the potential cascade of events that can occur throughout the life course after ACEs? Healthy recovery after trauma requires us to face it, learn from it, find anything good in it such as how we can help others by what we learned, take our focus off the trauma, let the old things become new, press on toward the goal, and envision what can be bright about the future. Though the wide range of types of xiii xiv Preface adversities and responses to them can be quite different among individuals, there are many shared similarities making this book applicable for everyone, especially survivors and all who interact with them. Newark, DE, USA Kathleen Brewer-Smyth Disclaimer Reference to specific commercial products, manufacturers, companies, or trademarks does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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