Chronic stress rewrites the immune and hormonal systems for life. Cortisol degrades the mitochondria of a developing brain. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune conditions — written down as lifestyle, lived as consequence.
Trauma changes the architecture of a developing brain, laying the pathways to depression, anxiety, PTSD and addiction — and to the substances that quiet them for an hour.
The loss of connection to anything larger than yourself. Not about religion — about meaning, purpose, and belonging. The final disintegration is the loss of hope.