The Persistant Negative Effects Of Abuse And Neglect: Increased Risk Of Stroke In Late Life

A recent longitudinal study has found adults who experienced significant abuse and neglect as children have a three times more likely risk for stroke as adults. The study involved 258 individuals who donated their brains for autopsy post death. No causality was speculated.
How could this occur? These strokes were not from physical trauma or closed head injuries, but only stress induced. The strokes occured decades after the abuse. The medical mystery is, at first glance, baffling. Or is it.
Stroke, or cerebral vascular infarcts are caused when a vessel in occluded or severely constricted by a clot or spasm. Genetics, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and smoking are factors. So is stress. Acute stress can increase blood pressure and effect vasoconstriction. Chronic stress increases cortisol release and, more importantly, diverts individuals from good self care. My adult patients with unresolved neglect and abuse focus so much on it’s aftereffects (they have no choice!) that they don’t do the reasonable things as adults to take care of themselves. Diet, daily excercise, proper weight, good sleep habits and quality relationships minimize stroke risks, but a chronically conflicted person has trouble doing these. Their stroke risk goes up and they often die early.
Neglect and abuse follows people into adult life and can ruin your physical and emotional health. Treatment is effective, but is time consuming and can be arduous. It does, however, beat the alternative. studies like this show the chronic, persistent damage of unresolved childhood abuse.