Developmental Trauma

When a child grows up in an environment without attuned, safe and predictable care, where abuse, assault, violence, neglect are common occurrence, when an attachment rupture occurs between a child and their primary care giver, a number of complex symptoms set in from severe emotional dysregulation, chronic dissociation, self-destructive behaviours, to social isolation, rage and fear. Empathy and trust cannot emerge when raised in a threatening environment where one doesn’t know what happens next and is constantly on high alert to protect themselves. When these ‘assaults’ and unpredictability come from those who are meant to protect us, there is nowhere to turn for safety and the whole world and sense of self collapses. Early childhood trauma impacts every major system of the brain structure. Affect dysregulation has a significant impact on the developing brains, bodies and the core sense of self. ‘Our biography becomes our biology’ as chronic abuse and neglect in childhood interferes with the proper wiring of the sensory-integration system. In some cases, this can result in learning disabilities, which include faulty connections between the auditory and word processing systems and poor hand-eye coordination. People with histories of untreated developmental trauma are usually diagnosed with personality disorders in adulthood.

By focusing on the brainwave patterns and training them to operate at different frequencies, the rhythms of the brain, body and minds are normalised, attention stabilises, fear subsides and, with persistent, dedicated training, affect regulation and improved executive functioning sets in. By learning to self-regulate, neurofeedback helps people to tolerate life events, sensations, emotions and reactions they experience without constantly being highjacked and held hostage by them.