Limbic imprint
Causes
Causes
------

Trauma is a form of damage to either the mind or body that results from a distressing event. Traumatic experiences can occur in utero, during birth, and/or after birth. Trauma experienced in utero includes maternal smoking, alcohol or drug use during pregnancy; exposure to toxins such as [methylmercury](/wiki/Methylmercury "Methylmercury"); and even exposure to maternal psycho\-social stress. Trauma in utero increases the risk of neurodevelopmental delays and disorders causing a long\-term effect on limbic imprinting such as difficulty regulating and processing emotions. Trauma experienced during birth includes the use of interventions during labor such as [obstetrical forceps](/wiki/Obstetrical_forceps "Obstetrical forceps") or [vacuum extraction](/wiki/Vacuum_extraction "Vacuum extraction"), [cesarean section](/wiki/Cesarean_section "Cesarean section"), or exposure to medicines used to relieve maternal pain or induce labor. These experiences can cause both physical and psychological harm to the baby that also affects the limbic imprinting process. Finally, trauma experienced after birth can include malnutrition; neglect, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; and lack of a safe or healthy environment. Traumatic experiences after birth also have long\-term effects on limbic imprinting.


What are some examples of distressing events that can cause trauma?