DISRUPTS BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Chronic stress over-activates fear centers, weakens regulation and memory systems, and shifts the brain from growth to survival.
DISRUPTS ATTACHMENT DEVELOPMENT
Unsafe caregiving creates insecure attachment styles: avoidant, anxious, or disorganized, shaping trust, safety, and closeness.
CREATES CORE BELIEFS & COPING STYLES
Early trauma forms beliefs like “I must be perfect” or “No one will protect me,” leading to control, people-pleasing, mistrust, or self-sabotage.
LEADS TO SURVIVAL ROLES & PATTERNS
Trauma roles (Protector, Lone Survivor, Caretaker, Performer, Clinger, Chameleon) evolve into rigid adult personality traits and business behaviors.
HAS LONG-TERM IMPACTS
ACEs reinforce fear-based defenses, distorted thinking, and maladaptive regulation, often resembling personality disorders though rooted in trauma.
