How Emotional Abuse in Childhood Changes the Brain

By Leonard Holmes, PhD 

Leonard Holmes, PhD, is a pioneer of the online therapy field and a clinical psychologist specializing in chronic pain and anxiety.

Updated on March 10, 2024

Medically reviewed by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP

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https://www.verywellmind.com/childhood-abuse-changes-the-brain-2330401

Fawn’s Touching Tale: A Story for Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused

Look inside this book.
Fawn's Touching Tale: A Story for Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused (Help for Sexually Abused Children Book 1) by [Agnes Wohl, Irene Wineman Marcus, Jackie Bluzer]

Help for Sexually Abused Children Book 1

By Agnes Wohl, LCSW, ACBS, Irene Wineman Marcus, Child & Adult Psychoanalyst, & Jackie Bluzer (Illustrator) 

From Amazon.com: “Introduction to Parents, School Personnel and Psychotherapists: There are many books aimed at the prevention of sexual abuse; few story books are geared for children that deal with the profound emotional aftermath. This book is unique because it offers the use of engaging animal protagonists, which allows the child to work through painful emotions in a less threatening and more effective manner. Among the most universal issues for the sexually abused child are: the mixed feelings toward the abuser, the dread and wish to be loved, the difficulties of disclosing the abuse, the fear of being blamed and/or of not being believed. The effects frequently culminate in a sense of vulnerability, damaged self-esteem, guilt and faulty defenses against the feelings of being hurt. This can lead to a wide range of self-destructive behavior in childhood and adulthood. This gentle, “child friendly”, animal tale provides children with a story they can listen to again and again. Parents, psychotherapists and school professionals can use this book as a point of entry into complex feelings that the youngster, or any sexually abused person might experience. Our hope is that with the help of this book, the child will begin the process of healing and gradual resumption of his or her healthy psychological development.”

Brain Scans Reveal How Badly Emotional Abuse Damages Kids

The CT scan on the left shows a normal child's brain, the one on the right is the brain of a child who has been the victim of emotional trauma.

The CT scan on the left shows a normal child’s brain, while the one on the right is the brain of a child who has been the victim of emotional trauma.Bruce D Perry/The Child Trauma Academy

By Andrea Downey, The Sun

November 2, 2017 

https://nypost.com/2017/11/02/brain-scans-reveal-how-badly-emotional-abuse-damages-kids/

Why Don’t Child Sex Abuse Victims Tell?

Children keep quiet about being sexually abused out of family loyalty.

By David M. Allen, MD, professor of psychiatry at University of Tennessee; author of Coping with Critical, Demanding, and Dysfunctional Parents

October 22, 2012

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/matter-personality/201210/why-dont-child-sex-abuse-victims-tell