Scared Sick The Role of Childhood Trauma in Adult Disease

The first years of human life are more important than we ever realized. In Scared Sick, Robin Karr-Morse connects psychology, neurobiology, endocrinology, immunology, and genetics to demonstrate how chronic fear in infancy and early childhood-- when we are most helpless--lies at the root of common diseases in adulthood. Compassionate and based on the latest research, Scared Sickwill unveil a major public health crisis. Highlighting case studies and cutting-edge scientific findings, Karr- Morse shows how our innate fight-or-flight system can injure us if overworked in the early stages of life. Persistent stress can trigger diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, and addiction later on.

Robin Karr-Morse is a family therapist and the former Director of Parents Training for the Oregon Child Welfare System. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Meredith S. Wiley is the State Director of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids New York. She lives in Albany, New York.