The Impact of Childhood Trauma

Whilst childhood is expected to be a safe haven in the family home, with nurturing, emotionally healthy parents with joyful happy experiences growing up, not many actually experience this positive picture. Childhood trauma can leave lasting effects both mentally and physically and often times the depth of this impact remains hidden beneath the surface. These are the unseen scars that can manifest in different ways, such as resentment, anger, rebellion shaping the emotional and psychological landscapes of individuals as they transition into adulthood.

Emotional and Psychological impacts of childhood trauma

Adults who have experienced childhood trauma can be more prone to developing anxiety disorders, this can look like anxiety, panic attacks or social anxiety disorder.

Childhood trauma can often increase the risk of depression in adulthood, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, feeling frozen unable to engage in activities.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), these experiences could be flashbacks, bad dreams, emotional distress, negative self-talk that is related to the traumatic experience endured in childhood.

Lack of Self-Esteem

Childhood trauma can leave a profound effect on individual's self-esteem, leading to lack of self-worth or feelings of inadequacy.

• As an adult who had experienced childhood trauma, they may later find it challenging a sense of self, causing confusion with their identity, values, and beliefs.

 Relationships

Childhood trauma can make it challenging for individuals to later form trust, emotional intimacy in adulthood and find it difficult to trust people. This leads to difficulties in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships.

Adults who experience childhood trauma can find it challenging with abandonment issues. As a result this can lead to clinginess, depending too much on the other. On the opposite end of the spectrum they could actually push others away as a defence.

Childhood trauma often infringes being able to set healthy boundaries with others and in relationships which can lead to co-dependency.

Counselling Childhood Trauma

 As a Counsellor who is trauma focused specialising in family dynamics I help tailor therapy address childhood trauma.

Childhood trauma has been linked to an increased risk of developing chronic health conditions in adulthood, such as autoimmune disorders, inflammation and chronic pain.

Sometimes, some may turn to substance abuse or addiction to cope with the emotional pain associated with childhood trauma. Left untreated this could lead to a higher risk of developing substance abuse disorders.

Coping Mechanisms and Behaviours of adults who experienced childhood trauma may engage in self-destructive behaviours of self-harm such as excessive alcohol or drug use.

It is important to reach out to health professionals and resources for personalised support based on individual needs. Each person's childhood trauma is individual even if it seems similar to someone else’s. Therefore, your healing journey is unique and so crucial to finding the right combination that works for you in terms of resources and support.