HOLISTIC HEALTH NOTEBOOK

Last week I wrote about the lingering effects of childhood trauma on the brain. It is a sad topic, particularly when considering the statistics of how many children and teenagers suffer extreme trauma. The effects do not go away with the passage of time.

The reason I am exploring this theme is that I recently attended a seminar by Dr. Ellen Wright, a medical doctor who deals with these issues, and she related how this type of stress affects the balance of neurotransmitters and hormones later in life. She correlates trauma with later development of depression, ADD/ADHD, and inflammation.

Here are some tidbits from her presentation:

Prenatal or early life stress may increase the likelihood of maladaptive immune responses to stress in late life.

Current studies of individuals with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) provide evidence of alterations in the neuroendocrine system that involve levels and activity of cortisol, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and changes in immune function that predispose these individuals toward an innate immune response.

There is a genetic link that increases vulnerability when associated with traumatic early life events, particularly in serotonin response, which can increase the risk of depression and suicide.

Dr. Wright suggests that when an individual complains of major depression, anxiety disorder, ADD, ADHD, or dissociative disorders, they should be screened for early childhood trauma. The problem is that when these symptoms are present, the treatment of choice is often drug therapy, which may or may not resolve the underlying issues. She recommends several therapies, including individual and group therapy, EMDR (rapid eye movement), music and/or art therapy, and nutritional modulation of the neuroendocrine system.

I am particularly fascinated with that last recommendation, because we know that the balance between calming and stimulating neurotransmitters can be altered by specific nutritional therapies. One of the most useful tools in assessing neuroendocrine balance is urinary neurotransmitter testing. Some of the brain chemicals that can be tested in this manner include serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, PEA, cortisol, and many others. In the hands of a doctor who understands this instrument and can provide appropriate nutritional support, this test can provide real-life solutions to these complex problems.

— Carol is a certified lifestyle educator at the offices of Dr. Alan Gruning in Fort Myers (239) 939-3303. She owns the Island Nutrition Center on Sanibel, (239) 472-4499.