Topic - Early Stress in Girls.  When a baby girl has a rough start in life, especially during the first year, she has brain changes that cause anxiety into her late teens.

When mother is stressed during her pregnancy and after delivery, baby has a tougher time.

At age 5, Lisa still shows signs of stress. Her stress response system became hyperactive while she was in the womb.

It was reinforced for years because mother was stressed.

Fourteen years later, it’s the same story. Lisa’s overly emotional, hyperactive, anxious and depressed.

She lacks coping skills to manage her young life. She doesn’t regulate her behavior which leads to impulsive choices.

Lisa’s vulnerable to drug and alcohol use, multiple sexual encounters and acting out behavior. She’s likely to fail at school, have a child early and have limited opportunities for self-sufficiency.

Lisa will perpetuate the cycle if there’s no intervention.