Nadine Burke Harris TED Talk Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the effects of exposure to childhood trauma?

No significant impact on health.

Has no correlation with brain development.

Only affects mental health.

Increases the risk for several leading causes of death in the U.S. (correct)

What is childhood trauma?

Threats so severe or pervasive that it changes our physiology.

How should trauma be viewed for treatment?

Neither A nor B.

Both A and B. (correct)

Mental health problem requiring mental health services.

Social problem requiring social services.

What was the Averse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study?

A study done by Dr. Vince Felitti and Dr. Bob Anda at CDC to understand the impact of adverse childhood experiences. Signup and view all the answers

ACEs are incredibly common, with __% of the population having at least one ACE.

77 Signup and view all the answers

What happens to health outcomes as ACE score increases?

Higher ACE scores lead to worse health outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with an ACE score of 4 or more?

2.5 times greater than someone with an ACE score of 0. Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk associated with an ACE score of 7?

Triple the lifetime risk of lung cancer. Signup and view all the answers

What neurological impacts do high doses of adversity have?

Affects pleasure and reward centers of the brain, impulse control, and fear responses. Signup and view all the answers

Individuals with trauma who do not engage in high-risk behavior are not likely to develop health issues.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis?

The brain and body's stress response system. Signup and view all the answers

How do high doses of adversity affect DNA?

They affect the way DNA is transcribed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Center for Youth Wellness?

To prevent, screen, and heal the impacts of ACEs and toxic stress. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Impact of Childhood Trauma

Exposure to childhood trauma significantly increases the risk for seven out of ten leading causes of death in the U.S.
High levels of trauma can disrupt brain development, immune function, hormonal systems, and DNA transcription.
The highest doses of trauma can triple the lifetime risk of heart disease and lung cancer, leading to a 20-year difference in life expectancy.

Definition of Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma encompasses severe or pervasive threats that alter an individual’s physiology.
Examples include abuse, neglect, and living with a parent facing mental illness or substance dependency.

Traditional Views on Trauma

Trauma has often been viewed as a social problem, directing individuals to social services.
Alternatively, it is also seen as a mental health issue, leading to referrals to mental health services.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study

Conducted by Dr. Vince Felitti and Dr. Bob Anda, with a sample of 17,500 adults.
Participants reported histories of exposure to ACEs, which include various forms of abuse, neglect, parental mental illness, substance dependence, incarceration, separation, and domestic violence.

Prevalence of ACEs

ACEs are widespread, with 77% of the population experiencing at least one ACE.
12.6% of individuals reported four or more ACEs, correlating higher ACE scores to worse health outcomes.

Health Risks Associated with High ACE Scores

An ACE score of four or more increases the relative risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hepatitis by 2.5 times compared to individuals with an ACE score of zero.
An ACE score of seven triples the lifetime risk of lung cancer and increases the risk of ischemic heart disease by 3.5 times.

Neurological Effects of Adversity

Early exposure to adversity affects key brain areas, including the nucleus accumbens (linked to pleasure and reward) and the amygdala (associated with fear response).
These changes inhibit the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for impulse control and executive function, providing neurological explanations for high-risk behaviors in traumatized individuals.

Health Outcomes Regardless of Behavior

Individuals with trauma, even without engaging in high-risk behaviors, are still at a greater risk of developing heart disease or cancer.

HPA Axis and Stress Response

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is essential for managing stress responses, activating fight-or-flight mechanisms.
Repeated activation of this stress system can be maladaptive, particularly in children due to their developing brains and bodies.

Long-term Effects of High Adversity Exposure

High doses of adversity adversely impact brain structure and function, immune, hormonal systems, and DNA transcription processes.

Center for Youth Wellness

Initiated in San Francisco to address ACEs and toxic stress through prevention, screening, and healing strategies.
Routine ACE screenings are implemented; an ACE score of four correlates with significant increases in risks for various health conditions, including depression and suicide attempts.
Patients receive multidisciplinary care focusing on adversity reduction and symptom treatment, including education for parents about the implications of ACEs.

Description

Explore key concepts from Nadine Burke Harris's TED Talk on childhood trauma. This flashcard set delves into the impacts of childhood trauma on health and development. Perfect for anyone looking to understand the importance of addressing early life experiences.