The Brain and Trauma
Arts Medicine has a vital role to play in the holistic care and treatment of traumatized children and adults.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study conducted in the 1990's by Dr. Vincent Felitti, Dr. Robert Anders, Kaiser Permanente, and the Center for Disease Control studied 17,000 adults and detailed the negative impact of neglect and abuse on overall physical and emotional health.
The ACE study results are astounding in terms of the overall frequency of adverse childhood experiences, and to their wide ranging and long lasting negative health consequences.
Because the impact of trauma on brain functioning is to shut down the language center and medial pre-frontal cortex's executive capacity, healing interventions need to incorporate a "bottom up" instead of a singular "top down" approach to aid in body regulation of emotional arousal. The body must be calmed and regulated before traditional language based interventions can succeed in implementing positive change.
The utilization of expressive arts can create a two way bridge between right brain (sensation and image) and the left brain (language and logic). Mindful reflection on the arts experience and sharing using words both written and spoken, done within the context of a safe and nurturing community, helps regulate the brain as it also promotes connection with self and others.
For information on the ACES Study click on the ACES Connection button below. To learn more about trauma and its impact on health, please see links below to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute, and Sanctuary Institute.
