Two girls, kidnapped and then rescued, are likely suffering severe psychological damage after a two-week nightmare that included being forced to travel with their kidnappers from Tennessee to Mississippi with the bodies of their mother and sister in the car.

During the last three days of their ordeal, 12-year-old Alexandra Bain and her 8-year-old sister Kyliyah hid in the forest with kidnapper and killer Adam Mayes, with no food or water.

They were rescued by Mississippi wildlife officers -- but not before Mayes shot himself in front of the girls. Hospitalized briefly for dehydration and exposure, the girls were covered with rashes from poison ivy and insect bites.

While they may have recovered physically from the ordeal, the psychological healing has just begun. It will likely take much longer as they grieve the loss of their mother, Jo Ann Bain, 31, and big sister Adrienne Bain, 14. The initial response from the 12 year old, though, was hopeful. In the woods with officers there to help them, and Mayes deceased, Alexandria reportedly turned to younger sister Kyliyah and said softly, "Now we can go home."

When children lose a loving mother, they experience changes in the brain that can lead to anxiety, depression, and other struggles. Neuroscientists have discovered that healthy brain and nervous system functioning depends on strong emotional attachments starting at birth.

The comforting maternal figure stimulates the production of brain chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin that create a feeling of safety and joy. Human attachment fosters the development of learning, memory and motivation.

Child trauma victims often suffer damage to the nervous system that can last a lifetime. The damage varies depending on the age of the child, the severity and length of the abuse and other hereditary and environmental factors. Children sometimes remain stuck emotionally at the age they were when the trauma struck. Stress from the traumatic event can cause shrinkage of the hippocampus, (impairing memory) and disruption of the nervous system, (impairing concentration and emotional control).

At the early stages of recovery from trauma children can take two defensive approaches. The first, hyperarousal, activates the fight-or-flight mechanisms in the body. This makes a child hyper-alert and might include exaggerated, startle reactions, anger outbursts, defensiveness and irritability. Other children might dissociate, freeze, or become numb to mentally escape from the pain. Some children will alternate between fight, flight and freeze, in an effort to cope with stress.

At 12, Alexandria is at the developmental stage psychologists call identity versus role confusion. From 12 to 18, children experiment with different beliefs, friends, activities and interests in an effort to separate from their parents and become independent adults. One child might become vegan, quit the Girl Scouts, or pick a new nickname. If this process gets disrupted, as happens with trauma, the child will likely struggle to find an identity.

If Alexandria had healthy self-esteem and positive peer relationships prior to the kidnapping, she might again find comfort and community with her friends. With secure emotional attachments she can develop a sense of herself, as reflected in the eyes of those who love her. Without secure attachments, traumatized children can feel lost, alone, and overwhelmed with emotions they cannot manage. Sometimes this leads to self-mutilation, eating disorders, substance abuse and other unhealthy attempts to soothe themselves.

At age 8, Kyliyah faces a different struggle. Psychologist Erik Erikson called the developmental stage, from 6 to 11, industry versus inferiority. At this stage, children begin to feel a sense of "I can do that." They learn that if they work hard at school, sports or hobbies, they can acquire skills and feel confident and satisfied with themselves. If they suffer trauma at this stage, children can develop a feeling of inferiority. Children who lack a sense of their own abilities can develop a frozen, passive and helpless coping style.

Children are naturally self-centered. When victimized at this age they often blame themselves. "My mommy and sister were killed because of me." This unhealthy shame carries with it a brutal dose of self-loathing that can lead to self-destructive behavior. When children blame themselves, they feel a lack of confidence in their own judgment and ability to learn. They can become passive followers, attracted to powerful personalities like narcissists and psychopaths who will tell them what to do.

Victims of childhood trauma, like that suffered by the Bain girls, can go on to lead full, rich and healthy lives. The kidnap and rape victim, Elizabeth Smart, is a good example of successful recovery from a brutal and prolonged trauma. Elizabeth returned home to two loving parents and a strong religious community. She also received the professional and spiritual guidance she needed to achieve a healthy balance.

Elizabeth finished school, found meaningful work and recently married. I hope the Bain girls will have an environment rich with love, support, safety, trust and the professional resources they need to achieve a similar recovery.