Childhood Trauma

Children who suffer from physical, cognitive, or emotional neglect, such as when their mother is ill and their father is busy, often experience anxiety. This leads to the production of stress hormones in their bodies. When this occurs frequently, these hormones can become harmful to their developing brains, eventually hindering their emotional and cognitive well-being for life. The real-life story of Daniel Rucareanu, who spent part of his early childhood in a Romanian orphanage, illustrates the full impact of neglect.

The story began in 1966 when Romania’s leader, Nicolae Ceaușescu, sought to make the country a global power and introduced laws to increase the population. Abortion and contraception were largely banned. While this policy led to a surge in birth rates, many poor families struggled to care for their children, and Daniel, along with around half a million others, was placed in state-run institutions. In most orphanages, there were no toys, books, or other resources to foster cognitive development. Many children simply stared at the bare ceilings, waiting for their next meal. Due to the lack of human interaction, some babies developed coping mechanisms like rocking back and forth. This cognitive neglect often resulted in lower IQ scores, delayed language development, and a lack of creativity.

Our brains form connections with every new experience and stimulation. If children do not receive sufficient experiences during the first years of life, when the brain is developing most rapidly, they cannot build the necessary foundations for optimal future learning. They miss out on crucial developmental opportunities. Daniel lived with over 400 other children, and their shared bedrooms were rarely cleaned. Meals consisted mostly of small portions of boiled cabbage, which staff sometimes stole for themselves. Some caretakers used violence to control the children, while others encouraged older kids to beat Daniel, further humiliating him and asserting their authority.

The effects of physical neglect and inadequate nutrition caused many of the orphans to suffer from stunted growth. Some children contracted HIV and Hepatitis B due to the reuse of medical supplies. Physical abuse resulted in severe bruising and other injuries. The overworked and under-trained staff seldom comforted the crying children, and some children were left completely alone with their worries. Others hid their emotions from those who should have protected them, fearing further harm. Emotional neglect and anxiety lead to excessive production of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which are toxic for a developing brain.

Additionally, these experiences distorted the children’s understanding of love and human relationships. They learned to trust no one, and as adults, many struggled with depression, insomnia, and social anxiety. When Ceaușescu’s regime was finally overthrown and the conditions of the orphanages were exposed on television, researchers from around the world visited to study the anonymous children. MRI scans later revealed that some had smaller brain volumes. The research highlighted the importance not only of nutrition in a child’s development but also of human interaction.

To help the children, many were adopted by families abroad. However, even after adoption, many struggled to form loving bonds with their new parents. This aligns with attachment theory, which emphasizes the need for a child to establish a loving relationship with at least one primary caregiver early in life. Daniel was fortunate in his adoption. Although he continued to face trauma and anxiety, he earned a university degree, started his own family, and later founded a nonprofit organization for neglected children.

If you were raised in a loving environment, consider yourself very lucky. If you have experienced neglect, try to understand that it was never your fault, and perhaps not even your parents’ fault. For more on how to cope with neglect, see the recommendations below. One suggestion is to share your feelings about neglect and its lasting effects on your life.