Serotonin and Child Sexual Abuse

There was a time during my childhood when I used to be a pilgrim through psychologists, doctors and psychiatrists. None of them could explain my dissociation behaviour and why I could not return to school.

None of them asked me any relevant questions. Instead, they practised medicalised use of language, making conversations unapproachable. "A serotonin deficiency" was my diagnosis. I didn't know what it meant, but I liked the name: se-ro-to-nin. And then, the idea of a "shortage" led me to think about how to seek it out.

It would take many years to name what happened to me, and to discover that serotonin is a key neurotransmitter in regulating mood, appetite and sleep, and that its production can be altered for survivors of childhood abuse.

Studies have shown that engaging in activities that increase serotonin levels (such as socialising with people who have gone through the same experience) can be an effective way for survivors to manage their mental health. By engaging in activities that increase these levels, one can find their way to survival. And that happened to me thanks to Meti's mutual aid groups.

Childhood abuse can have a lasting impact on one's mental health, leaving behind scars that can be difficult to heal. Current scientific understanding suggests that reported CSAs are associated with lower serotonin levels.

Source: Miller, J. M., Kinnally, E. L., Ogden, R. T., Oquendo, M. A., Mann, J. J., & Parsey, R. V. (2009). Reported childhood abuse is associated with low serotonin transporter binding in vivo in major depressive disorder. Synapse (New York, N.Y.), 63(7), 565–573]

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter crucial in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep. It is often called the "feel-good" hormone; however, its production can be disrupted for CSA survivors, leading to imbalances that contribute to mental health issues.

Social engagement is a behaviour that the human brain considers positive and desirable. Building strong social connections (e.g. participating in mutual aid groups) can help boost serotonin levels and improve mental health.

Source: Petersen, C. L., Davis, S. E. D., Patel, B., & Hurley, L. M. (2021). Social Experience Interacts with Serotonin to Affect Functional Connectivity in the Social Behavior Network following Playback of Social Vocalizations in Mice. eNeuro, 8(2)]

Surround yourself with people who love and support you. Remember, healing is a journey, and it takes time. Be kind to yourself and know that you are not alone.