Effects of Childhood Trauma
Traumatic events entail anything that threatens the safety and life of a person. Child abuse, domestic violence, bullying, natural disasters like earthquakes, and hurricanes are all examples of traumatic events. Trauma during childhood is more likely to impact adult life because it occurs during a vulnerable period when the brain is active and developing. Most of these traumatic events that induce traumatic responses often happen in the hands of the people we trust most.
Children who experience trauma are more likely to develop serious conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD. Traumatic events do not necessarily comprise actions that result in physical harm, but rather any incident that leaves a child feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Even situations that appear normal to adults like poor neighbourhoods and bullying can be traumatic to a child.
Childhood trauma has many effects on the behaviour, social, mental, and emotional wellbeing of a child. Sometimes the impacts are not felt immediately but carried forward into adulthood.
- Effects of trauma on Mental health
Childhood trauma occurs during a very sensitive phase in a child’s life when the brain is actively developing. As a result, normal brain development may be affected. In fact, 90% of people admitted to mental facilities in the United States each year have experienced at least one traumatic event in the past. People who experienced trauma as children are three times more likely to develop anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and other personality disorders.
- Trauma and Emotional health
Childhood trauma has a great impact on the emotional health of a child. These children often feel anxious, angry, shame, guilt, hopelessness, and intense sadness. They may constantly feel worthless and undeserving. Trauma triggers negative emotions and constant memories of the events, which in turn creates anxiety and fear in a child. These emotional insecurities are often carried into adulthood. An adult that experienced trauma as a child may lack confidence and feel disconnected from other people.
- Behavioural changes resulting from trauma.
Adults who experienced trauma as children may have flashback memories of the events and are more likely to indulge themselves in risky behaviours like alcohol, substance abuse, and violence. All these are approaches to help them cope with emotional imbalance resulting from exposure to trauma. In the long run, these habits often lead to health problems.
- Effects of trauma on personal relationships
People who experienced childhood trauma might have low self-esteem and lack confidence. They tend to believe they are unworthy and are more likely to attract toxic relationships. They may even try to isolate themselves by avoiding any romantic or social relationships at all. They may also feel unloved and lonely, and this ultimately affects their ambitions and accomplishments in life.
However, childhood trauma does not necessarily have to impact adult life. There are therapies that have been proven to help one disconnect from trauma.
