Childhood trauma is often overlooked due to the stigma surrounding it. However, recent research suggests that exposure to traumatic events during childhood can affect adults’ mental health. A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that people exposed to childhood trauma had higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders later in life. Researchers say that understanding how early exposure to trauma affects mental health could help doctors develop treatments for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The researchers analyzed data from over 4,500 participants across four studies. They looked at whether participants experienced five types of adverse experiences in childhood: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, psychological abuse, and household dysfunction. Participants were asked about their current symptoms of depression and anxiety. Those who reported experiencing one type of adverse experience in childhood were compared to those who did not report such experiences.
Researchers found that each type of childhood adversity was associated with increased risk of depression and anxiety. People who experienced multiple forms of childhood adversity were most likely to suffer from both conditions. For example, those who experienced three types of childhood adversity — including sexual abuse, emotional neglect and household dysfunction — were nearly twice as likely to suffer from depression or anxiety as those who experienced none of these adverse experiences.
The findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing childhood trauma could improve outcomes for patients with mental illness. “There is evidence that children who experience trauma are at greater risk for developing psychiatric problems,” says Dr. David Tolin, coauthor of the study. “Our hope is that future efforts to reduce the prevalence of trauma among children will translate into better mental health for many.”
What Is Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma is defined as “any event in a child’s life—whether it occurs during pregnancy, infancy, or early childhood—that causes physical or emotional harm.” This can include neglect, abuse, domestic violence, parental addiction, or even witnessing domestic violence firsthand.
Children who suffer from childhood trauma usually grow up to become adults who struggle with depression and anxiety. They may use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate, or they may turn to unhealthy behaviors such as overeating, smoking, or binge drinking.
There are many different types of childhood traumas, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. These experiences can affect a person’s ability to form healthy relationships later in life.
Traumatic events happen unexpectedly and without warning. While there is no way to predict what might trigger a traumatic experience, there are things you can do to prevent future traumas.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
• Talk about how you feel. If you’re experiencing stress or sadness, talk to someone about it. You don’t have to go it alone.
• Be aware of triggers. Some people find certain situations difficult to deal with because they remind them of a previous traumatic experience. Avoiding those situations could reduce your chances of being triggered.
Common Trauma Misconceptions
Childhood trauma is common among people suffering from chronic illness. In fact, it is one of the most overlooked causes of health problems. A recent article published in JAMA Pediatrics, titled “Common Trauma Misconception,” explores how parental absence during childhood increases the likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease.
The authors of the study, Dr. Amy Kiefer and her colleagues, explain that there is a link between childhood stressors and the development of autoimmune diseases. They found that childhood experiences such as parental death, divorce, and physical neglect increase the chances of developing an autoimmune disease in adulthood.
Dr. Kiefer says that many people believe that childhood trauma does not affect adult health. However, she explains that this is not true. She adds that parents should be present throughout childhood because it protects against the development of chronic illnesses.
What does childhood trauma look like in adults?
Childhood trauma doesn’t just affect children; it affects everyone. Trauma impacts people differently depending on genetics, personality traits, life circumstances, and how well they cope with adversity. Some people develop PTSD following traumatic events, while others experience depression, anxiety, or substance abuse.
Traumatic events include physical, sexual, emotional, and/or verbal abuse. They can happen at home, school, or anywhere else. Examples of traumas include:
• Physical abuse – being hit, kicked, burned, bitten, choked, pushed down, etc.
• Verbal abuse – name calling, threats, humiliation, bullying, teasing, shaming, etc.
• Emotional abuse – being ignored, rejected, isolated, abandoned, etc.
• Sexual abuse – rape, molestation, incest, forced sex, etc.
We all go through things during childhood that affect us as adult. These experiences change us and make us different from one another. For example, some people become depressed because of a difficult family situation, while others become addicted to drugs because of a stressful job.
Our brains are still developing until around age 25, which makes them vulnerable to the negative effects of early experiences such as those listed above.
Adult Attachment Disorders
An adult attachment disorder (AAD), sometimes called “adult attachment disorder,” is a type of personality disorder that occurs during adulthood. AAD is characterized by difficulties trusting people and having close relationships. These problems often begin early in life and continue into adulthood.
There are three types of adult attachment disorders: dismissing avoidance, fearful avoidance, and preoccupation.
People with dismissing avoidant attachment disorder are unable to form close relationships because they don’t feel safe enough to open up emotionally. They prefer to keep distance from others and avoid intimacy.
Those with fearful avoidant attachment disorder fear closeness and rejection. They try to control situations to protect themselves from being hurt again.
Preoccupied attachment disorder involves excessive focus on one’s relationship history. Those with this disorder worry about whether someone will reject them and become angry if they do.
People with each of these disorders tend to look for partners who resemble them. This leads to a cycle of repeating patterns of behavior.
Trauma’s Effect on Stability, Guilt and Shame
Children who experience traumatic events early in life tend to develop complex trauma symptoms later in adulthood. These include feelings of instability, disconnection, and shame and guilt. They often feel disconnected from others and don’t trust anyone. This makes it difficult to build healthy relationships and maintain stable employment.
The good news is that there are ways to recover from complex trauma. A recent study found that therapy can help adults overcome these issues. Researchers compared the outcomes of 50 adult patients with complex trauma to another group of 50 adult patients without complex trauma. Both groups received treatment over eight weeks. Afterward, participants completed questionnaires about their mental health and well being.
The researchers found that the patients with complex trauma had fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and dissociative identity disorder. Overall, they felt better about themselves and their lives.
The Long-Lasting Effects of Childhood Trauma
Children growing up in an abusive home often develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They experience flashbacks, nightmares, and insomnia. They might feel like they’re reliving the abuse over and over again.
A study found that people who experienced physical abuse during childhood were twice as likely to develop depression later in life. This could mean that the person experiences symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.
People who grew up in an atmosphere where there was domestic violence are three times more likely to become smokers. This could mean that they start smoking because they want to escape from the pain of being beaten by their partner.
There are many different ways to help someone who suffers from PTSD. One way is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which teaches patients how to manage their feelings and thoughts. Another method is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR helps you process painful memories and reduce the impact of those memories.
