inmostleaf
03-22-08, 02:54 PM
Hi everyone, hopefully this is the correct forum to post such a topic, but my curiosity about (topic title and description) can no longer be contained. With that being said, I'd like to know what everyone thinks.
I should note that my main interest in this is how trauma and chronic stress as an child-adolescent directly/indirectly affects development as an adult (I am 26 now)?
Some information I have came across says the HPA axis can be permanently damaged (I presume from distress) and can result in either hypoactive pituitary or hyperactive pituitary. I understand that an abnormality to the HPA axis can greatly affect many other systems.
I also came across these other possible developmental implications due to prolonged stress and trauma -- hemisphere hypo and hyper activity, the development of psychiatric comorbidities (depression, anxiety) is GREATLY increased, and abnormal development of brain structure (with this it seems the prefrontal cortex comes up the most - links to AD/HD and such?). What about just general impairment in social and emotional development?
I should note also I have been struggling with many things for a long time. A big part of what could have started all this was that when I was 12 when I lost my mom (to cancer) and in immediate succession went many others in my immediate family (from cancer, AIDS, heart disease, and suicide/depression). At different points of my life, from 15-16 to present I have been diagnosed as Bipolar (this was once and I highly doubt it), Unipolar (again, no), Clinically depressed (possibly), Dysthymic Disorder (yes), General Anxiety Disorder (yes), ADHD-PI (yes). The latter 3 have been the most reoccuring in terms of both diagnoses AND symptoms. I am sure all 3 can more or less feed off of each and at times one can be more problematic than the other. I can explain more if needed.
Please feel free to comment on what I have mentioned and can hopefully explain more in psychopathology and/or psychoneuroendocrinology areas. Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully make insightful responses.
In the very least I will with the help of all who respond to make this an informative thread that can exert some influence upon an individual to maybe put them into a mentality that will be beneficial to themselves and others. Ultimately, that's the only hope I can possibly have with this.
I should note that my main interest in this is how trauma and chronic stress as an child-adolescent directly/indirectly affects development as an adult (I am 26 now)?
Some information I have came across says the HPA axis can be permanently damaged (I presume from distress) and can result in either hypoactive pituitary or hyperactive pituitary. I understand that an abnormality to the HPA axis can greatly affect many other systems.
I also came across these other possible developmental implications due to prolonged stress and trauma -- hemisphere hypo and hyper activity, the development of psychiatric comorbidities (depression, anxiety) is GREATLY increased, and abnormal development of brain structure (with this it seems the prefrontal cortex comes up the most - links to AD/HD and such?). What about just general impairment in social and emotional development?
I should note also I have been struggling with many things for a long time. A big part of what could have started all this was that when I was 12 when I lost my mom (to cancer) and in immediate succession went many others in my immediate family (from cancer, AIDS, heart disease, and suicide/depression). At different points of my life, from 15-16 to present I have been diagnosed as Bipolar (this was once and I highly doubt it), Unipolar (again, no), Clinically depressed (possibly), Dysthymic Disorder (yes), General Anxiety Disorder (yes), ADHD-PI (yes). The latter 3 have been the most reoccuring in terms of both diagnoses AND symptoms. I am sure all 3 can more or less feed off of each and at times one can be more problematic than the other. I can explain more if needed.
Please feel free to comment on what I have mentioned and can hopefully explain more in psychopathology and/or psychoneuroendocrinology areas. Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully make insightful responses.
In the very least I will with the help of all who respond to make this an informative thread that can exert some influence upon an individual to maybe put them into a mentality that will be beneficial to themselves and others. Ultimately, that's the only hope I can possibly have with this.