"The initial trauma of a young child may go underground, but it will return to haunt us" -James Gasparino
Childhood trauma refers to terrifying, or even life-threatening events experienced by a child. This trauma is the result of one's inability to process a dreadful experience, thus leaving a scar on the person, probably for the rest of their lives, if they don't bother to do anything about it. Childhood trauma is a frequent occurrence. It's a myth that only a few people go through it. More than two-thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by the age of 16, and studies show that 14% to 43% of boys and 15% to 43% of girls experience at least one trauma.
Trauma isn't merely a small event that may be forgotten about in a few days or so. People with childhood trauma often face several difficulties in their adult lives. They may have trouble expressing their emotions, and develop attachment or trust issues. This usually happens when the trauma was caused because of the betrayal of a loved one. Anger issues can also be a result of childhood trauma, typically caused in cases that involve violence. This betrayal, violence, exploitation, or other such things can be carried on for the rest of their lives. In extreme cases, trauma may lead to mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder (ASD), borderline personality disorder (BSD), depression, and anxiety.
Not only that, children who experience traumatic events are at significant risk of developing physical health conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart problems, obesity, strokes, and substance use disorders.
Causes of Childhood trauma
Some of the common experiences that may cause psychological trauma are :
Parental neglect or abandonment
Substance abuse within the family
Poverty or financial issues
Loss of a loved one
Witnessing violence or abuse of a parent or sibling
Sexual and physical abuse
Bullying or cyberbullying
Signs you have childhood trauma
Reliving the traumatic event or getting flashbacks.
Have trouble forming relationships and trusting others.
Feeling incomplete or feeling like you don't hold any value.
Loss of appetite or changes in eating habits.
Feelings of nausea or vomiting.
Sleeping problems caused by pounding or racing of the heart.
Anger and mood swings.
Guilt and self-blame.
Poor academic performance.
Forgetting big pieces of your life.
Finding it difficult to concentrate or pay attention.
Becoming overwhelmed by fear.
Victimization of oneself or playing the victim.
(This is not intended as a diagnostic measure but just an indication that you may need help.)
How to heal from childhood trauma?
Dealing with childhood trauma is hard and may require time and effort, but with proper help, its impact can be reduced to a much larger extent. Here are a few ways that might help you overcome trauma:
Accept your trauma
Denying the traumatic event and pretending like it didn't happen or didn't matter is not going to help. Accept it for what it is and remember that you were the victim, not the one to blame.
Seek help
Talking to someone and letting go of the burden that you have been carrying is a crucial step. Asking for help doesn't make you weak or less strong, but rather a sign of humanness.
Engage yourself in activities you enjoy
Engaging in activities such as reading books, playing sports, sketching, or exercising can help you be motivated and productive.
Stay away from drugs and alcohol
This might seem like an option to feel relieved at the moment, but it can worsen your trauma symptoms.
Don't isolate yourself
Connect with people and make new friends.
Be optimistic and patient
It takes time and effort to overcome what has been bothering you for such a long time. Don't lose hope.
Parents often don't realize how much their actions impact their children, growing up in a chaotic or dysfunctional family can be traumatizing. Children are sensitive, they need to feel loved and appreciated, and most importantly they need to feel safe. Childhood shapes the way a child views and experiences life and people need to get this notion out of their heads that "he's a child, he won't remember it" because he most probably will. One cannot write the fate of their children but can very well make them feel safe and encouraged, make them feel like their voice matters and you're always going to listen, be patient with them, and if they ever went through a traumatic event assure them that all in the past and it won't ever happen again.
References
www.ptsd.gov.in
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