Hi everyone, hopefully this is the correct forum to post such a topic, but my curiosity about (topic title and description) can no longer be contained. With that being said, I'd like to know what everyone thinks.

I should note that my main interest in this is how trauma and chronic stress as an child-adolescent (I was 12 when I lost my mom and in immediate succession went many others) directly/indirectly affects development as an adult (I am 26 now). I've read some information that says the HPA axis is permanently damaged (due to the chronic stress) and can result in either hypoactive pituitary or hyperactive pituitary. I understand that abnormality to the HPA axis can greatly affect many other systems.

I also came across these possible developmental implications due to prolonged stress and trauma -- hemisphere hypo and hyper activity, the development of psychiatric comorbidities (depression, anxiety) is GREATLY increased, and abnormal development of brain structure (with this it seems the prefrontal cortex comes up the most - links to AD/HD and such?). What about just general impairment in social and emotional development?

Please feel free to comment (hopefully all will be constructive and helpful) on what I've mentioned or if you are knowledgeable in the psychopathology and/or psychoneuroendocrinology areas. Thank you for taking the time to read this and make insightful responses.

In the very least I will with the help of all who respond to make this an informative thread that can exert some influence upon an individual to maybe put them into a mentality that will be beneficial to themselves and others. Ultimately, that's the only hope I can possibly have with this.