The Biggest Effects of Childhood Trauma on Adults
We have all heard that infamous cliché about seeing a therapist and them saying, “Tell me about your childhood.” Many use it as a joke, but most of us are truly unaware of just how impactful childhood traumas are to almost everything we do later in life. Childhood trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on a person's mental and physical health throughout their lifetime. It can affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves and can lead to a range of problems in adulthood. It can also shape an individual's relationships, coping skills, and overall quality of life. Recognizing the signs of childhood trauma and seeking help is extremely important if you or someone you know has experienced it. Let’s address some of the most significant effects of childhood trauma on adults and different ways to positively deal with them.
What is childhood trauma?
Childhood trauma can be categorized as an event or several events that a child has experienced or witnessed that are considered threatening, violent, or dangerous. They are sometimes referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Keep in mind that childhood trauma is not only something that was directly done to a child. It can be a situation that they witnessed once or repeatedly. For instance, an act of violence towards a parent or a life-threatening illness they go through is a source of huge trauma, as witnessing a loved one enduring pain is hugely traumatizing for a child. For a developing child, the trauma is typically perceived as their own fault.
There are several categories of ACEs, including:
Abuse—Emotional, physical, sexual, or verbal abuse
Household challenges—Violence against a parent, substance abuse of a family member, mental illness in a household, divorce, criminal acts
Neglect—Emotional or physical neglect
Mental health issues
One of the most significant effects of childhood trauma on adults is the increased risk of developing mental health disorders. This can include conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where the trauma is repeatedly re-experienced. These conditions can interfere with an individual's ability to function in daily life and deal with everyday challenges. It can also significantly impact their overall well-being and quality of life.
Physical health problems
Research has shown that childhood trauma can have long-term effects on physical health, including an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal issues, and obesity. In addition to that, it can also affect a person’s immune function and lead to an increased risk of infectious diseases and higher susceptibility to illness.
Difficulty with relationships
Relationships can be highly challenging for any individual. They require maturity but also openness and vulnerability. Having childhood trauma of any kind can make it difficult for most adults to form and maintain healthy relationships. It can make it difficult for an individual to trust others and lead to severe trust issues. Additionally, it can cause difficulty with communication and an inability to connect with others on a deep level and form attachments. This naturally extends to professional relationships as well. All these issues a person with trauma deals with can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness as they may not be able to express it but feel as though no one truly understands them. Many couples dealing with this issue attend counseling sessions in order to preserve their relationship.
Poor coping skills and difficulty with self-regulation
Another issue that characterizes adults with trauma is that they may have poor coping skills. They typically experience interference with the ability to regulate their emotions and behaviors. Additionally, they struggle to manage stress effectively, which can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as self-harm as a way to deal with difficult emotions.
Poor coping skills can lead to difficulty in handling even mundane daily challenges. What seems like a simple everyday task to some can be an insurmountable hurdle to those dealing with this type of trauma.
Substance abuse
One of the major effects of childhood trauma on adults is that it can lead to substance abuse and addiction in adulthood. Substance abuse can be a way for individuals to cope with the negative emotions and memories associated with their traumatic experiences. Inevitably, this coping mechanism can lead to further problems and negatively impact an individual's overall well-being, worsening the adverse effects of the trauma. In dealing with addiction, it is vital to break your bad habits with trauma therapy for addiction recovery. There is no need to be in this battle alone, as experts with years of experience know the right approach and mechanisms to help you through it.
Difficulty with self-esteem and self-worth
Childhood trauma can damage a person's sense of self-worth and self-esteem. It can lead to feelings of shame and low self-confidence, which can interfere with career, relationships, and personal goals. People dealing with trauma may have difficulty seeing themselves as someone worthy or deserving of attention or love.
Ways to deal with the effects of childhood trauma on adults
There is no one-cure-fits-all for any type of trauma. What works for one person can be counter-intuitive for another. Thankfully, many treatment options are available to those seeking help. Some of them are:
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy involving humanistic principles and family support in the process
Cognitive processing therapy is typically used for PTSD to address unhelpful thinking related to traumatic events
Prolonged exposure therapy helps confront traumatic memories, fears, and feelings and takes about three months
The exact treatment is always carefully curated for the individual, depending on their background, type of trauma, and specific needs.
The takeaway
It is vital to recognize the effects of childhood trauma on adults and know that healing is possible and that these effects are not inevitable. There are a variety of treatments available, including therapy, medication, and support groups that can help adults who have experienced childhood trauma cope with their experiences, move forward in a healthy way, and improve their overall quality of life. If you or someone you know has experienced childhood trauma, seek out the support and resources you need to heal and move forward.
Seeking help can not only address the adverse effects of the trauma, but it can also lead to improved mental and physical health and overall well-being in adulthood.
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Meta: Are you or your loved one experiencing difficulty from past trauma? Learn about the effects of childhood trauma on adults and ways to treat them.
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