It’s a story we’ve all heard many times before: A determined individual climbs out of extreme poverty against all odds, accumulating wealth and happiness through hard work and perseverance. It’s an inspiring tale, and it’s quintessentially American in many ways. We love these underdog stories because they give us hope, and what could be more inspiring than a person who is down-and-out and somehow manages to attain wealth and power? Maybe this story sounds an awful lot like your own life.
But what happens to someone’s mind when they pull themselves out of poverty? Does living in squalor have lasting mental health consequences for that person even after they’ve created a better standard of living for themselves? Are the memories of extreme poverty severe enough to manifest in serious mental health conditions, such as PTSD? Recent studies have highlighted a significant connection between PTSD and poverty. This complex relationship is not a linear one, and we have much more to learn about how poverty affects the human mind.
What is Poverty PTSD?
Previously, PTSD was almost exclusively associated with combat veterans. Today, mental health professionals recognize that many members of society might suffer from PTSD. Generally speaking, PTSD can be triggered by any traumatic event. Otherwise known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, this condition can manifest in many ways:
Reliving: Those suffering from PTSD might constantly relive the traumatic event through unwanted thoughts, memories, or even hallucinations.
Avoiding: PTSD patients may also avoid situations or places that remind them of the traumatic event.
Increased Arousal: Someone who is dealing with PTSD might also be experiencing elevated emotional responses, such as anger or fear. This may lead to increased blood pressure, chronic fatigue, muscle tension, and many other issues.
When poverty is believed to be the root cause of PTSD, mental health professionals may refer to this condition as “poverty PTSD.” The assumption is that the patient has experienced high levels of stress and trauma during their poverty-stricken years, which then manifests in PTSD.
Poverty’s Effect on Young Boys
A groundbreaking study that began during the 1990s explored the connection between young boys, poverty, and PTSD. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, and it involved single mothers and their children being pulled out of poverty-stricken neighborhoods. The assumption was that if they had better access to education and job opportunities, both the mothers and the children would experience better overall outcomes.
While the girls in the study thrived, the boys did not. These boys were much more likely to experience depression and PTSD, and they also tended to struggle with conduct problems at school. Lead author Ronald Kessler isn’t sure why this is the case, but he believes that girls may be more readily accepted into new communities compared to boys. He also believes that girls could have better interpersonal skills.
The Effect of Poverty on the Human Brain
There are many studies that suggest poverty could have a lasting effect on the human brain. The evidence seems especially compelling for young children who are living through poverty while their brains are still developing. One Stanford study discovered that poverty can lead to smaller thymus glands in children, which is believed to be the result of extreme levels of stress.
Another study explored the link between childhood adversities (such as poverty) and adult Axis II personality disorders. This study also found that the longer a child is exposed to poverty, the more likely it is for them to develop behavioral problems in the future.
In 2020, it was reported that researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai had discovered a link between “hunger” hormones and PTSD. Teens who experience chronic stress often experience increased levels of the hormone acyl-ghrelin, which is linked to hunger and depleted guts. The high levels of this blood-based hormone remain for years after the initial traumatic event.
Conclusion
Based on a wealth of compelling evidence, it’s clear that there is a clear link between poverty and PTSD. Even those who manage to climb out of poverty may still struggle with mental health issues associated with their past, especially if they develop delayed-onset PTSD. For those who develop PTSD during poverty, the solution might be much more complex than simply increasing their bank account.
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