Nadine Burke Harris TED Talk Flashcards

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.