HOW DEVELOPMENTAL TRAUMA IMPACTS IDENTITY

How Common is Developmental Trauma?

Developmental trauma is far more common than many people realize. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 78% of children report experiencing more than one traumatic event before the age of 5. Additionally, 20% of children up to age 6 are receiving treatment for traumatic experiences such as sexual abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence, and traumatic loss or bereavement.

Adults who experienced developmental trauma may develop Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD), which is characterized by difficulties in emotional regulation, consciousness, memory, self-perception, distorted perceptions of perpetrators of abuse, relationship difficulties, and negative effects on the meaningfulness of life.

While specific statistics on cPTSD rates are not available, the risk factors are disturbingly common. In 2012, there were 3.4 million referrals to state and local child protective services for abuse or neglect. It is estimated that in that year alone, 686,000 children (9.2 per 1,000) were victims of maltreatment, though experts believe this number underestimates the true frequency. Some estimates suggest that up to 1 in 4 children may experience some form of maltreatment. The lifetime economic cost of child maltreatment in the US is estimated at $124 billion. Although not all children who experience maltreatment develop cPTSD, many do, and recovery can be challenging even for those who seek treatment.

How Does Developmental Trauma Impact Identity Formation?

Identity formation is a crucial part of normal development and occurs across the lifespan from birth through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Developmental trauma disrupts this process because basic survival takes precedence over the normal development of the self. Early trauma shifts brain development trajectories, as environments characterized by fear and neglect cause different adaptations in brain circuitry compared to environments of safety, security, and love. The earlier the distress, the more profound the effect.

For adults with unresolved developmental trauma, identity development can be particularly challenging. The adult consequences of trauma often include substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, higher risk for health problems, behavioral issues, and difficulty in personal relationships and professional development, leading to a "traumatic self" that dominates their identity. People with significant developmental trauma may dissociate from their environment and themselves, remaining disconnected throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood.

Understanding the basic themes of how identity is shaped by earlier traumatic experiences can help individuals recognize areas of difficulty and take steps toward recovery, repair, and personal growth.

Key Ways Developmental Trauma Shapes Identity

1. Loss of Childhood:

• "I never really had a childhood" or "I can't remember much from growing up."

• Those with distressing childhoods often have fragmented or absent memories of their early years, leading to an underdeveloped or false sense of their own history.

2. Missing Parts of Oneself:

• "I’ve always felt like something was missing, but I don’t know what it is."

• Chronic distress can lead to dissociation, causing individuals to disconnect parts of themselves to survive. They may rely on one persona while other parts remain undeveloped, affecting their sense of wholeness later in life.

3. Attraction to Destructive Relationships:

• "I’m the kind of person who always dates people who are bad for me."

• Individuals traumatized by caregivers often gravitate toward harmful relationships, repeating past trauma despite attempts to make better choices.

4. Avoidance of Relationships:

• "I’m someone who is better off alone."

• Negative experiences with intimacy may lead to self-isolation, missing out on the growth opportunities healthy relationships provide.

5. Avoidance of Oneself:

• "I don’t like to think about myself; it only makes me feel bad."

• Trauma from key relationships can cause individuals to avoid self-reflection, leading to impaired self-care and a rigid traumatic identity.

6. Difficulty Integrating Emotions:

• "I’m not the kind of person who has strong feelings about things."

• Traumatized individuals often split emotions from their identity, leading to emotional dysregulation and an unstable sense of self. Reintegrating emotions is essential for growth but can be challenging.

Conclusion

Developmental trauma has long-lasting impacts on identity formation and overall well-being. Recognizing these effects and understanding their origins can help individuals take steps toward healing. Recovery involves vulnerability, openness, and a commitment to change, often with the support of therapy and personal growth efforts. While challenging, this journey can lead to a more integrated and fulfilling sense of self.