<p>Childhood experiences have a greater impact than events later on. It is cognitive structure forming time, with a still strong biological background. Also, the child might see itself as vulnerable, thus willing to form bonds with any protective thing that might appear <a href="http://www.sidran.org/resources/for-survivors-and-loved-ones/what-is-psychological-trauma/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(Giller, 1999)</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Chronic early trauma — starting when the individual’s personality is forming — shapes a child’s (and later adult’s) perceptions and beliefs about everything.</p>
<p>Severe trauma can have a major impact on the course of life. Childhood trauma can cause the disruption of basic developmental tasks. The developmental tasks being learned at the time the trauma happens can help determine what the impact will be.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Children can recover to leading normal lives after traumatic events, but not all of them. It gets worst if there are continuous traumatic events (Giller, 1999):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Although most return to baseline functioning, a substantial minority of children develop severe acute or ongoing psychological symptoms (including PTSD symptoms) that bother them, interfere with their daily functioning, and warrant clinical attention. Some of these reactions can be quite severe and chronic.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We go with defense mechanisms to protect ourselves. They might get repressed in our memories but never really fade-out. It is not consensual that it is OK to break down these defenses and make people revive those traumatic experiences. Thus, i do believe you are in a psychodynamic therapy or others. And no, it is not the only way to &quot;reprogram&quot; the brain. There is also cognitive , behavioral, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, which are problem focused, making you relearn the <a href="http://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/children-trauma-update.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">correct way to think/behave</a> in problematic contexts.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>CBT for trauma includes: learning how to cope with anxiety and negative thoughts, managing anger, preparing for stress reactions, handling future trauma symptoms, addressing urges to 'self-soothe' with alcohol or drugs and communicating and relating effectively with people (National Centre for PTSD, 2008).
The CBT model when used with survivors of child abuse usually focuses on the 'here and now' rather than revisiting the trauma itself <a href="http://www.asca.org.au/Health-Professionals/Practice/Trauma-Based-Approach.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(Henderson, 2006)</a>.</p>
<p>Cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques have been shown to be effective in treating children and adolescents who have persistent trauma reactions. CBT has been demonstrated to reduce serious trauma reactions, such as PTSD, other anxiety and depressive symptoms, and behavioral problems. Most evidence-based, trauma-focused treatments include opportunities for the child to review the trauma in a safe, secure environment under the guidance of a specially trained mental health professional. CBT and other trauma-focused techniques can help children with cognitive distortions related to the trauma, such as self-blame, develop more adaptive understanding and perceptions of the trauma.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I'd hint that in a context which triggers some childhood trauma (even if it is in a deep layered reasoning), it still keeps that memory being fed, forbidding its physical memory-disposal. Learning the correct reasoning will make these memories fade away eventually.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-07T11:11:22.990Z
Perfect answer with reference links! Thank you
Rajavanya Subramaniyan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-31T20:53:55.573Z
2015-03-31T20:53:55.573Z
2020-06-17T09:55:31.633Z
Will Lp
<p><em>Disclaimer - My terminology might be wrong.</em></p>

<p>How do some memorable experiences that are traumatic or tough, make the brain form some values. Is there a way to establish core values so strongly ourselves through any manual methods? (without needing to go through traumatic experiences)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-31T12:32:33.180Z
Welcome at CogSci. This site is not meant for self-help. For medical advice, please see a professional. If you could remove any reference to self this question may hold potential. However, additionally, you should explain and define what you mean with "deep strong values", with "core values" and what you mean with "manual therapy". Sorry for picking on the question but with the self-reference it will and should be closed, and without strict definitions of your terminology it is not answerable.
AliceD
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-01T07:03:58.587Z
@AliceD It wasn't meant to be for self-help. But I understand why you would have come to that conclusion, because I cited my personal experience. I am more interested in the theory.
Rajavanya Subramaniyan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-01T07:05:28.733Z
By deep strong values and core values, I am referring to the belief system and perceptions.
Rajavanya Subramaniyan
<cognitive-psychology><personality>
How do some traumatic experiences establish deep beliefs and ideas?
Rajavanya Subramaniyan
# How do some traumatic experiences establish deep beliefs and ideas?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-03-31)

*Disclaimer - My terminology might be wrong.*

How do some memorable experiences that are traumatic or tough, make the brain form some values. Is there a way to establish core values so strongly ourselves through any manual methods? (without needing to go through traumatic experiences)

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, personality

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome at CogSci. This site is not meant for self-help. For medical advice, please see a professional. If you could remove any reference to self this question may hold potential. However, additionally, you should explain and define what you mean with "deep strong values", with "core values" and what you mean with "manual therapy". Sorry for picking on the question but with the self-reference it will and should be closed, and without strict definitions of your terminology it is not answerable.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 It wasn't meant to be for self-help. But I understand why you would have come to that conclusion, because I cited my personal experience. I am more interested in the theory.  
> **username_0**: By deep strong values and core values, I am referring to the belief system and perceptions.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-03-31. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Childhood experiences have a greater impact than events later on. It is cognitive structure forming time, with a still strong biological background. Also, the child might see itself as vulnerable, thus willing to form bonds with any protective thing that might appear [(Giller, 1999)](http://www.sidran.org/resources/for-survivors-and-loved-ones/what-is-psychological-trauma/):

> Chronic early trauma — starting when the individual’s personality is forming — shapes a child’s (and later adult’s) perceptions and beliefs about everything.
>
> Severe trauma can have a major impact on the course of life. Childhood trauma can cause the disruption of basic developmental tasks. The developmental tasks being learned at the time the trauma happens can help determine what the impact will be.

Children can recover to leading normal lives after traumatic events, but not all of them. It gets worst if there are continuous traumatic events (Giller, 1999):

> Although most return to baseline functioning, a substantial minority of children develop severe acute or ongoing psychological symptoms (including PTSD symptoms) that bother them, interfere with their daily functioning, and warrant clinical attention. Some of these reactions can be quite severe and chronic.

We go with defense mechanisms to protect ourselves. They might get repressed in our memories but never really fade-out. It is not consensual that it is OK to break down these defenses and make people revive those traumatic experiences. Thus, i do believe you are in a psychodynamic therapy or others. And no, it is not the only way to "reprogram" the brain. There is also cognitive , behavioral, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, which are problem focused, making you relearn the [correct way to think/behave](http://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/children-trauma-update.aspx) in problematic contexts.

> CBT for trauma includes: learning how to cope with anxiety and negative thoughts, managing anger, preparing for stress reactions, handling future trauma symptoms, addressing urges to 'self-soothe' with alcohol or drugs and communicating and relating effectively with people (National Centre for PTSD, 2008).
> The CBT model when used with survivors of child abuse usually focuses on the 'here and now' rather than revisiting the trauma itself [(Henderson, 2006)](http://www.asca.org.au/Health-Professionals/Practice/Trauma-Based-Approach.aspx).
>
> Cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques have been shown to be effective in treating children and adolescents who have persistent trauma reactions. CBT has been demonstrated to reduce serious trauma reactions, such as PTSD, other anxiety and depressive symptoms, and behavioral problems. Most evidence-based, trauma-focused treatments include opportunities for the child to review the trauma in a safe, secure environment under the guidance of a specially trained mental health professional. CBT and other trauma-focused techniques can help children with cognitive distortions related to the trauma, such as self-blame, develop more adaptive understanding and perceptions of the trauma.

I'd hint that in a context which triggers some childhood trauma (even if it is in a deep layered reasoning), it still keeps that memory being fed, forbidding its physical memory-disposal. Learning the correct reasoning will make these memories fade away eventually.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Perfect answer with reference links! Thank you  

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