28/09/2025
Exposure to family violence affects a significant minority of children: estimates of physical abuse range from 4 to 16%, while intimate partner violence affects between 8 and 25% of children. Maltreated children show same pattern of brain activity as combat soldiers. Link to the research https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(11)01139-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982211011390%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
Recent brain scans have revealed that children living with unstable families where the child is exposed to constant arguing between the parents or themselves are abused/neglected, have brain changes similar to combat solders after returning from active duty. In some cases, the brains of abused children are in even worse shape than the combat soldiers.
Childhood trauma and the trauma experienced by combat soldiers can create similar, long-lasting changes in the brain’s structure and chemistry. The core reason is that the brain, whether developing or mature, adapts to a high-stress, unpredictable environment by entering a persistent state of hypervigilance, prioritizing survival over other functions.
The key difference lies in the context of the trauma. A child’s brain is still developing, making it highly susceptible to having its core structures and functions altered. A soldier’s brain, which is already mature, is changed by extreme stress but is less fundamentally altered than a child’s.
The shared neurobiological process: an over-activated internal alarm system.
Trauma forces the brain to initiate a “fight or flight or freeze” response for survival. When this state becomes chronic, it changes the brain’s baseline functioning, creating a state of constant, heightened alert. This process affects key brain regions involved in emotion, memory and rational thought.
I am running out of rom here but I will put a breakdown in the comments section of each brain region affected and altered by trauma.
If you have children, it is best to never argue in their presence and always treat your child with love, patience, respect and tender care, punish gently when necessary and use bad behavior as a teachable moment instead of harshly punishing your tiny creation.
If you experienced trauma as a child and never actively did intentional work to heal your brain or nervous system, you are likely experiencing chronic symptoms well into adulthood as a result. The good news is, any damage done is likely not permanent if you’re willing to do the work. Your trauma was never your fault, but healing has become your sole responsibility. See comments for exercises.
PMID: 26831814
