Child abuse can change the structure of the brain.
University of Newcastle professor of perinatal and infant psychiatry, Louise Newman, says if children are abused early, they are flooded with stress-related hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
“This impacts directly on how the brain develops and the stress regulation mechanism. It becomes highly stressed so it’s like setting the thermostat on high, setting up a system which regulates stress less efficiently.”
“Also it impacts on the area which controls feelings, so they’re more likely to be highly stressed, have difficulties with anger and emotions, and be prone to self-harm, anxiety, suicide and depression.”