Childhood Trauma
When we envision childhood and teen years, we picture a time of fun, of growing, playing, learning and exploring, all the while being provided for, safe and loved in a stable home environment.
Unfortunately, this picture does not reflect the reality for many children.
The trauma that many children experienced and their memories of that trauma, can and will have a profound and lasting effect on their overall well-being.
As children, they have not yet developed an understanding of emotions, and hence do not have the tools or coping strategies to build resilience and strength.
Childhood trauma can affect the way we perceive the world, relate to others, and even how we view ourselves. Understanding its impact is crucial for those who have experienced it, as well as for their loved ones who wish to support them on the journey to healing.
What is Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma refers to distressing experiences that occur before the age of 18, which can significantly impact a child’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
Common sources of trauma include abuse, neglect, domestic violence, family dysfunction, bullying, and experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
They may have also witness domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, or being in the middle of hostile divorce. Parental neglect, abandonment, or incarceration are other forms of trauma that children can experience.
The effects of these traumas can linger into adulthood, shaping our behaviours, decisions, and relationships.
Understanding the Effects
The repercussions of childhood trauma can manifest in numerous ways. Many individuals experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and difficulty with interpersonal relationships. Some may develop coping mechanisms that, while initially helpful in protecting them, can become harmful in the long term, such as substance abuse or self-isolation.
Physically, severe trauma can create toxic levels of stress hormones that can negatively affect their brain development, impacting their learning, behavior, cognition and their general welfare, which can resonate into adulthood.
When the child is constantly experiencing trauma, the brain becomes trapped in a hyperarousal state (amygdala and a smaller frontal cortex of the brain are excessively reactive), which can lead to a lack of self regulation, and to inefficient processing and responding.
Moreover, unresolved trauma can lead to physical ailments, including chronic pain or illnesses, as the body often holds onto the stress and tension caused by these adverse experiences. It is vital to recognize that these reactions are natural responses to unnatural situations; they are not a reflection of personal weakness.
Children react differently when exposed to adversity. Emotionally, some can feel anxious, have mood swings, be hyperalert, or experience guilt, shame, or apathy. Behaviourally, they may be clingy, reclusive, have tantrums, conflict with authority, with avoidance behavior. Physically, they may present with unexplained physical symptoms, such as fatigue, being overly or under active and fidgety.
The Healing Process
To help reduce the trauma affects and experiences, the child needs to feel they are in a safe and comfortable environment to express and share their experiences with someone they can trust. If this opportunity is not provided, their trauma can go into hard drive and have a lasting damaging effect on their development.
When silenced, they are not being able to express what they have gone through, nor able to effectively process their thoughts and emotions, which can cause them to act out, repress or internalize their traumatic experiences, therefore hindering their mental health.
When a child represses their experiences, they push it into an unconscious awareness, presenting at a more challengingly deeper level. A child may also internalize their experiences and safeguard their feelings of worthlessness, wrongdoing, humiliation or guilt, as they may not feel safe to share their experiences with others.
Acknowledging the impact of childhood trauma is the first step towards healing. It can often be overwhelming to confront painful memories, but understanding and processing these feelings is essential.
Strategies for Healing
Here are some strategies that may help in the recovery journey:
Seek Professional Help: Engaging with a mental health professional can provide a safe space to explore past traumas. Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be effective in helping individuals to manage their symptoms.
Depending on the age of the child, talk, art or play therapy can be used to help the child to express their experiences and emotions in a verbal and/or non-verbal way.
Over time, they will come to feel comfortable to disclose, and be in a better place to process their experiences and feelings, leading them to restoration, healing and wholeness.
Build a Support System: Surrounding oneself with understanding and compassionate individuals can create a sense of belonging. This support might come from family, friends, or support groups where shared experiences foster empathy and understanding. One doesn’t have to be a family member or specialized professional to help a child who has experienced trauma. Simply asking the child, “Are you OK?”, is the starting point for the child to sense that you genuinely care and in time will feel safe to explore their feelings and begin to open up.
Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care: Engaging in mindfulness practices can help ground you in the present, reducing anxiety and promoting emotional regulation. Activities such as meditation, yoga, or simply spending time in nature can be immensely beneficial
Journal Your Feelings: Writing about your thoughts and feelings can serve as a therapeutic outlet. It allows you to reflect on your experiences, emotional responses, and progress in a tangible way.
Cultivate Resilience: Building resilience does not mean ignoring the pain but rather acknowledging it while also fostering a sense of hope. Setting small, achievable goals can promote a sense of accomplishment and control.
Moving Forward
It is essential to remind ourselves that healing from childhood trauma is a journey, not a destination.
The negative effects their childhood trauma doesn’t have to carry on into their future. It is okay to take one step at a time and recognize that progress may come with setbacks. Each individual’s journey is unique; therefore, what works for one person may not work for another. Learn to embrace your journey and honor your experiences.
With the combined and intentional effort of loved ones, and professional expertise of therapists, the child can begin to reestablish a stable and trusting relationship with others, which in turn buffers and reduces the impact of their past traumatic experiences.
In conclusion, acknowledging and addressing childhood trauma is the pathway to reclaiming your narrative. Strength and resilience lie within you, often waiting to be unveiled. You are not alone in this struggle, and through support, understanding, and appropriate interventions, healing is within reach.
The path ahead may be filled with challenges, but remember, it is also filled with potential for growth and renewal.