EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA ON ADULTS

Almost everyone experiences some kind of traumatic event in their lives. If the type of trauma you experienced occurred in childhood, it’s likely you have experienced some amount of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But what are the long-term effects of childhood trauma? Do these events cause a ripple effect throughout our lives?

WHAT IS CHILDHOOD TRAUMA?

Trauma in childhood not only constitutes physical, emotional or sexual abuse, but expose to traumatic events as well. These can include witnessing natural disasters, or even witnessing violence within their communities.

Factors that determine a child’s reaction to trauma include:

·         Developmental level: This is related to where the child is age-wise or mentally.

·         Ethnicity or cultural factors: This can impact what the child views as a normal response to trauma based upon what they have seen from their communities or families.

·         Previous exposure to trauma: If a child is more accustomed to traumatic events, it could mean they adapt by learning to control their reactions.

·         Available resources: Refers to how socioeconomically connected their family is, as well as their access their needs on a regular basis.

·         Preexisting child and family problems: This could dictate how supportive your parents are when you tell them that something traumatic happened, or it could mean that some form of abusive trauma is occurring in your immediate family.

SIGNS OF PTSD IN CHILDREN

After being exposed to any traumatic event a child tends to express some form of behavior change. These behaviors can include:

·         Sudden new fears: These fears may or may not be related to the traumatic event.

·         Separation anxiety: This occurs when a child becomes overwhelmed with anxiety when their primary caregiver is not around.

·         Sleep disturbances: This could mean that they start having nightmares or lose the ability to fall asleep quickly.

·         Sadness: If you notice sadness it could be an indicator the child is coping with a traumatic event.

·         Losing interest in normal activities: A child may lose interest in the things they once found enjoyable.

·         Inability to concentrate: This could result in long or short-term and impact things like school or normal activities.

·         Anger: Unexplained anger or irritability that doesn’t align with the level of the event can be symbolic of a traumatic event.

·         Somatic complaints: These can include stomachaches, headaches, or any other physical pains that seem to have no root cause.

While it is important to note that these symptoms may dissipate with time, however the risk of PTSD increases if the child continues to have exposure to trauma or a history of anxiety issues.

Most children will heal, however between 3% to 15% of girls and 1% to 6% of boys will develop PTSD. If any of the above symptoms appear for longer amounts of time, it may be imperative to seek therapy that focuses on the treatment of PTSD.

In addition to these symptoms, hypervigilance may be exhibited by children who are experiencing PTSD. This is due to their need to look for danger in the hope to prevent future trauma. Children suffering from PTSD may also re-experience the trauma or avoid things that remind them or cause them to remember the trauma. This is why play therapy is effective for children who have experienced trauma.

SINGS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA IN ADULTS

The effects of childhood trauma can last well into adulthood. Future relationships can be impacted by childhood trauma. Additionally, depression and low self-esteem may be the result of these types of childhood experiences.

Childhood abuse may impact adult relationships. It can impact the way you form attachments in romantic relationships. One study asked 911 students (492 females and 419 males) about their experiences with trauma as children.

This study found that students who experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse were more likely to exhibit fearful, preoccupied, and dismissive attachment styles. It also found that students who had not experienced childhood trauma were more likely to have secure attachment styles into adulthood.

Here are the four attachment styles:

·         Secure: People with secure attachment styles have healthy relationships and good levels of self-esteem.

·         Ambivalent: These attachment styles are reluctant to get too close to people and fear abandonment.

·         Avoidant: These attachment styles are afraid of intimacy and rarely let others close.

·         Disorganized: These attachments styles sometimes take on parental roles in romantic relationships.

OTHER SIGNS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA IN ADULTS

Exposure to traumatic events can cause poor self-esteem, depression, self-destructive behavior, and difficulty trusting others. This can be especially problematic with age, as PTSD and traumatic events from childhood can result in adverse health effects as an adult.

The increased risk of developing chronic illness is partially due to the fact that adults who experienced childhood trauma are more likely to engage in high-risk activities, such as drugs and alcohol. Additionally stress wrecks havoc on the body. Being in a constant state of fight or flight decreases the effectiveness of the immune system and there is a strong correlation between fibromyalgia and childhood trauma.

You are never too old or too far removed to seek help for something that happened when you were a child. Processing trauma can help you manage these symptoms more effectively.