Discussion Analyzing Alex

The discussion prompt for week seven introduces us to Alex, a boy who grows up in an abusive home. He was neglected and abused by his alcoholic father until the age of three when he became physically ill. When we were asked what types of behaviors we might expect from Alex as a child, we were given several options. He also suffered from a cold mother who often screamed at him and did not show him any affection or tenderness. The question asks us to describe the potential effects of the abuse on the HPA axis, as well as the neurotransmitters and structures of the brain. As a final question, we are asked how a psychologist might approach Alex in order to identify and address any maladaptive behavior that we have identified. What types of behaviors would one possibly see from Alex during childhood? I would like to begin by answering this question. The effects of maltreatment can have long-term and even intergenerational implications for children, as well as the physical injuries they may sustain. The consequences of childhood maltreatment can be physical, psychological, and behavioral as well as social costs (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2019). The abuse and neglect Alex suffered in his childhood could have a number of consequences for him in the future.His psychological and behavioral conditions may not only be impacted by the physical trauma, but also by the psychological trauma. "The experience of abuse and neglect during childhood is also associated with the development of mental disorders such as: Anxiety Behavioral Disorders Bulimia or Anorexia Depression Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder It has been suggested that childhood trauma and its effect on the brain may play a part in causing victims to be at risk for the development of these disorders. According to a study, adults with major depression who have also suffered from child abuse and neglect are less likely to respond to antidepressant medications. There has also been some research demonstrating that victims of sexual abuse have a higher risk of becoming obese as they age" (Cassaday, 2021). Describe the possible effects of the abuse in terms of the HPA axis, including brain structures and neurotransmitters. Based on our reading for this week from our textbook, it seems that abuse may adversely affect the HPA axis as a result. According to McEwen (2006), impaired HPA axis regulation contributes to many of the negative consequences of long-term stress. Homeostasis is the process of restoring and maintaining homeostasis in response to stimuli. An example of allostasis is the adjustment of a system's set point in response to stimuli that fall outside the range of what is typically associated with homeostasis (McEwen and Wingfield, 2010; Sterling & Eyer, 1988). As a result of a prolonged response to stress or when the stress response is not turned off, the body is subject to allostatic load. This refers to the cumulative damage caused to body systems as a result of excessive stress. An exaggerated or prolonged stress response may have negative health effects when caused by allostatic load" (Carlson, Birkett, 2017). How might a psychologist approach working with Alex to address any maladaptive behaviors you identified? To reduce the chances of long-term effects of Alex's abuse and neglect, a psychologist must approach the situation appropriately when working with him. Providing trauma-informed care can help the psychologist accomplish this. Trauma-informed care is the recognition of a child's past traumatic experiences and how these can affect their current symptoms or consequences.