IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA ON ADULTHOOD

Childhood trauma is something people do not want to acknowledge. So, their inner child remains unhealed. Why people suppress their childhood trauma is because of the following reasons

• It seems emotionally overwhelming and triggering.
• They think that they have to re-live their trauma all over again in order to heal.
• It does not seem practical in their daily life.

IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA ON ADULTHOOD

TRUST AND COMMUNICATION ISSUES

 People who suffered from childhood trauma did not have secure, stable, and trusting relationships as children, or if they were betrayed by people whom they trusted the most, they may have a tough time trusting their partners. They also find it hard to express their thoughts and emotions. Their ability to express their emotions or to even feel may be blocked. People may think that they are over-reacting and come up as too sensitive people.

SELF-SABOTAGE

People may have internalized effects of trauma and may get into toxic relationships. This is a kind of self-sabotage. They may self-sabotage easily and in many ways. It is common for them to get attracted to unhealthy individuals, emotionally unavailable people, or even abusive people as these people fit their trauma identity. This in turn may lead to a new cycle of trauma and past abusive memories and feelings.

SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES

Childhood trauma influences the sense of self-worth and self-esteem. As a result, they may suffer from self-esteem issues and may always have negative self-talk in their head which may have an impact on their relationships with themselves and others. These people dissociate or panic or escape when serious issues come up in relationships as that was their coping mechanism in childhood as well. 

ATTACHMENT ISSUES

Childhood trauma can have a lasting impact on mental health. The people who suffered from this may become a lot more defensive than normal people and have high walls built around themselves and come up as not accessible. Attachment disorders may include:

Dismissive Avoidant Attachment

This is a type of attachment that arises when the caregiver neglects or rejects the needs of the child. So, when this child becomes an adult, they become ultra-independent in order to avoid rejection again.

Fearful-Avoidant Attachment

When a child experiences abuse and neglect it is obvious that they fear intimacy and closeness in relationships. Therefore, in adulthood, those with this type are distrustful. And have a tough time-sharing emotions, and may seem disconnected from their partner.

Anxious-Preoccupied Attachment

This type may appear clingy or needy and can often need frequent validation in relationships. They will never feel secure, because of childhood with parents who were inconsistent in the emotional security they provided. Loving the kid and then rejecting them continuously caused them to continuously question their place and want validation.

DEFENSIVENESS

Individuals who have faced negative situations in childhood that are in their developmental stages may lack social skills and the desire for closeness in adulthood. As a result, many adults may avoid closeness with others and isolate themselves, which stops them from having healthy interpersonal relationships and communication skills.

They miss out on social interactions, intimate relationships, communication skills, and conflict resolution skills. This can impair development later on in life and may lead to feelings of unworthiness. This is different totally than having an introverted personality as introverts.

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ADDICTIONS

Childhood trauma has been strongly associated with depression, substance use disorder, anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health issues that present themselves in adulthood. Individuals who were abused and did not have the opportunity to seek the proper help and treatment as a child are more likely to struggle with conflict resolution and have bad stress management skills as adults.

Having high-stress levels is common in such people if they experienced a lot of stressful events. As a result of this, they may become emotionally dependent on food, drugs, or alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with their internal conflicts and also deal with depression or anxiety that may have been because of their past trauma.

SEEK HELP

If an individual suffered from childhood trauma whether it was intentional or unintentional must seek help. Because it can have lasting effects on all aspects of adulthood. Seeking counseling and treatment is never too late. It is important for individuals to go ahead for therapy in childhood or adolescence; anyhow, seeking professional treatment in adulthood can help eliminate some of these long-term adverse effects.

If you are struggling with the after-effects of any kind of trauma, it is important for you to know that you are not alone, and you must also understand that there is an understandable reason for what you are currently going through. Acknowledge that you are a victim and that taking control of your life is the first step while seeking treatment for your past traumas.

Seeking counseling, therapy, and guidance from a mental health professional can help you work through current emotions and help you to adopt healthy coping skills, and to manage any existing or future stress that appears in your life that may or not is related to your past childhood trauma.