8 Signs Of Childhood Trauma In Adults, Effects & Treatment

Childhood Trauma in Adults Statistics

About 61% of adults in the United States say they had at least one bad childhood experience. Different kinds of childhood trauma can affect both men and women differently. Researchers have found that people who experienced trauma as children are more likely to develop mental health disorders, have trouble making and keeping relationships, and have worse physical health outcomes.

Trauma can be passed down from generation to generation, which is a worry because people who went through trauma as children may be more likely to raise their own children similarly. But it’s important to remember that people can be strong and get better with the right help and care. Childhood trauma can happen at different rates and have different effects, so it’s important to talk to a professional to understand better how it affects you.

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5. Low Self-Esteem and Self-Worth

Individuals with repressed childhood trauma often struggle with low self-esteem and a pervasive sense of worthlessness. They may internalize negative beliefs about themselves based on past experiences of abuse, criticism, or invalidation. Feelings of shame, self-blame, and a persistent belief that they are unworthy or undeserving can affect their overall sense of self-worth.

6. Self-Destructive Behaviors

Some people who haven’t dealt with painful memories from their childhood do things that hurt themselves as a way to deal with or show their pain. Some behaviors are self-harm, using drugs or alcohol, engaging in risky sexual behavior, gambling too much, or doing dangerous things. These actions can help people temporarily deal with their feelings, but in the long run, they just keep the cycle of trauma going.

7. Physical Symptoms

Repressed childhood trauma can manifest in physical symptoms without an apparent medical cause. Headaches, migraines, stomachaches, chronic pain, fatigue, and other unexplained physical symptoms may arise due to the psychological stress and emotional turmoil associated with the trauma. The mind-body connection is strong, and unresolved trauma can manifest in physical discomfort.

8. Dissociation and Memory Gaps

Dissociation is a coping mechanism that individuals with repressed childhood trauma may employ. It involves detaining oneself, others, or the immediate surroundings as a defense against overwhelming emotions or traumatic experiences. Dissociation can lead to periods of feeling disconnected, as if observing oneself from a distance or experiencing memory gaps, particularly regarding specific events or periods of the individual’s childhood.

Effects of Childhood Trauma in Adults

Childhood trauma can have profound and long-lasting effects on adults. Here are some common effects:

Mental Health Problems: Adults with traumatic childhood experiences are more likely to have depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and problems with drugs or alcohol. Trauma can change their beliefs, how they see themselves, and how they handle their emotions. This can make it hard for them to control their feelings and deal with stress.

Problems in relationships: Childhood trauma can make it hard for an adult to maintain healthy relationships. Because of how the trauma affects attachment and social skills, the person may have trouble trusting others, be afraid of getting close, making emotional connections, or get stuck in abusive or dysfunctional relationships.

Self-Esteem and Sense of Identity Problems: Childhood trauma can hurt self-esteem and sense of identity. They may struggle with feelings of worthlessness, shame, and self-blame, which can make them feel bad about themselves and give them a skewed view of themselves.

Physical Health Consequences: Adults who have had traumatic experiences as children may be more likely to have problems with their physical health, such as chronic pain, heart problems, autoimmune diseases, and stomach problems. Trauma can affect the body’s physical systems because it causes stress and emotional stress.

Self-Destructive Behaviors: Some adults with traumatic experiences as children may engage in self-destructive behaviors to deal with their emotional pain or gain control over their experiences. This can include using drugs, hurting yourself, being sexually risky, or doing things repeatedly.

Flashbacks and dissociation: Adults with a history of childhood trauma may have intrusive memories, flashbacks, or dissociation when they feel disconnected from themselves or their surroundings. These things can be upsetting and make it hard to get through the day.

Emotional Regulation Problems: Childhood trauma can make it hard for an adult to control their emotions well as an adult. They may have trouble regulating their emotions, have extreme mood swings, have trouble expressing their feelings, or numb themselves to avoid feeling pain.

Negative Cognitive Patterns: Trauma in childhood can change the way a person thinks, which can lead to negative beliefs about themselves, other people, and the world. They may have a negative outlook, find it hard to be kind to themselves, or act in ways that hurt themselves.

Childhood Trauma Test

How to Treat Childhood Trauma in Adults?

Childhood trauma therapy for adults is a specialized form of therapy that aims to help people heal from the effects of the trauma they experienced as children and move on with their lives. Here are some common ways to treat people:

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. TF-CBT helps people deal with and control their feelings, thoughts, and trauma-related actions. It uses both cognitive-behavioral and trauma-specific techniques to help people heal and learn how to cope.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a therapy that uses bilateral stimulation to target traumatic memories and help people deal with them. This method aims to reduce the stress from traumatic events and help people deal with them more healthily.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) uses cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices to help people control their emotions, deal with stress, and improve their relationships with others. It can help with emotions that are hard to control because of trauma in childhood.

Narrative therapy is a way of helping people make sense of their traumatic experiences by telling a story. Its goal is to help people understand, make sense of, and reframe their trauma story so that healing and resilience can happen.

Somatic Experiencing: Somatic experiencing focuses on the connection between the mind and body and helps people let go of and control the physical effects of trauma. It uses body sensations, movement, and “grounding” techniques to help people feel better and safer.

Group therapy: Group therapy gives people a safe and validating place to talk about their problems, learn from others, and develop healthy ways to deal with them. Group therapy can help people feel like they belong and lessen feelings of being alone.

Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Mindfulness practices, like meditation and body scans, can help people become more aware, less reactive, and more compassionate toward themselves. These techniques can help you deal with the effects of trauma and improve your overall health.

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