Janelle Washburne, LCSW, LMFT, CST

03/12/2026

03/12/2026

When a child’s environment is unpredictable or dangerous, the brain prioritizes “war mode”-a state of constant alert-over standard developmental milestones like curiosity or play. Research, most notably from University College London, has identified three key areas where these changes occur:

🗂️The Amygdala (The Alarm System): This region, responsible for threat detection, becomes hyper-reactive. Just like a soldier trained to spot an ambush, a child in an unstable home becomes “hyper aware” of danger, causing the amygdala to “light up” even when viewing slightly angry or neutral faces.

🗂️The Anterior Insula (Emotional Processing): Both groups show heightened activity in this area, which is linked to anticipating pain and processing emotions. This reflects a brain that is always preparing for the next conflict.

🗂️The Prefrontal Cortex (Rational Control): In both children and veterans with PTSD, the prefrontal cortex-the part of the brain that helps with decision-making and calming down-can become “subordinated” or underactive. This makes it harder to regulate emotions once they are triggered.

To a child’s developing nervous system, a home filled with chronic yelling or hostility can feel like a literal “battlefield trauma”, triggering the release of stress hormones like cortisol that physically rewire neural pathways to ensure survival in a hostile environment.

While childhood trauma can physically reshape the brain-the brain’s lifelong neuroplasticity allows adults to mitigate these impacts by forming new neural pathways. I will put a few tips in the comments section to help if this sounds like what you went through as a child and you feel you are still being affected in adulthood (very common). Take great care of yourselves sweet friends!

NO PMID YET. SOURCE: SOURCE: https://www.iasp-pain.org/publications/relief-news/article/fmri-brain-scan-impact-of-physical-abuse-on-children/

03/12/2026

Nobody dissociates for the hell of it. Nobody dissociates to annoy or inconvenience someone. And nobody dissociates because they are afraid or "weak."

If someone dissociates, the only thing we can assume is that they've been trapped in inescapable situations— repeatedly.

03/08/2026

Worried you or someone you love is in a toxic relationship? How to spot the red flags and how to leave: http://bit.ly/leaving-toxic-rel

03/05/2026

If you've experienced sexual violence and are looking for help right now, call RAINN's national hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit them online here: https://bit.ly/36p6x07

02/13/2026

Concerned that you are in a relationship? Here are a few indicators: https://bit.ly/3cmv75H

02/08/2026

How do you enjoy an intimate relationship after experiencing sexual assault? bit.ly/sexafterassault (Some may find content explicit)

01/24/2026

How do you start living again after narcissistic abuse? bit.ly/livingafternarcissisticabuse

01/11/2026

Dating again after sexual trauma/abuse is tough. Dr. Kat Smith's TED talk explains how you can improve your experience: http://bit.ly/DatingAfterS*xTrauma

01/04/2026

Not sure if your partner is controlling? 🖤Here are 5 signs to watch for: http://bit.ly/controlsigns

12/15/2025

Psychological Abuse Impacts Health as Much or Worse than Physical 👊🏻Abuse: bit.ly/psychabuseworse

11/25/2025

A new report finds that one in three women🧎🏼‍♀️ worldwide are the victims of physical or sexual violence! (Some may find content explicit) bit.ly/domesticviolencetruths