If you have been told that you suffer from childhood trauma, you may wonder what the signs are. This article will explore the Symptoms, Impacts, Treatment, and Recoveries of childhood trauma. Once you understand the signs of childhood trauma, it is easier to seek treatment and recover. Here are some signs to watch for:
Symptoms
The symptoms of childhood trauma may manifest as many different ways. Individuals can have difficulty concentrating, impulsivity, or eating disorders. They may engage in alcohol or drug abuse. Other common symptoms include mood dysregulation, anger, and attentional problems. They may also exhibit physical problems, including frequent headaches, gastrointestinal distress, and chronic fatigue. A traumatic childhood can also affect one’s immune system. And the psychological symptoms can range from guilt and shame to anger and self-harming behaviors.
In severe cases, childhood trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, which can last throughout the child’s life. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among children who have experienced a traumatic event and can affect the child’s quality of life, relationships, and well-being. Children suffering from PTSD may repeat the traumatic events, avoid situations that remind them of the trauma, and become hypervigilant.a
Impact
Research has shown that exposure to repeated childhood trauma has adverse effects on brain development, which increases the risk of several diseases later in life. The Center for Disease Control lists childhood trauma as one of the most pressing public health issues. While there is no known way to completely prevent childhood trauma, many measures can be taken to reduce its impact. Here are five ways to reduce its impact. 1. Develop resilience. Childhood trauma can be averted by developing coping mechanisms.
Children who have suffered complex childhood trauma are prone to high levels of anxiety and depression. They often have difficulty regulating their emotions and have problems with impulse control and thinking through consequences. As a result, these children may display behaviors that are unpredictably unpredictable or opposing. Even mild situations can cause these children to exhibit high levels of anxiety and depression. They may also exhibit hypervigilance and extreme irritability. The child’s future may seem unattainable.
Treatment
A youth’s traumatic experience is one of the most important factors to consider when seeking treatment for PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Unresolved traumatic experiences during childhood can cause long-term, chronic physical health problems, such as poor concentration and learning disabilities, as well as behavioral and emotional problems. In addition, many youths exposed to traumatic events have difficulty identifying and expressing emotions. These youths can be unpredictable and prone to emotional and physical reactions to triggers found everywhere.
Children can undergo multiple therapies to address their symptoms. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based, short-term therapy that can help children of all ages recover from the effects of childhood trauma. The treatment uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify and modify harmful patterns and help children thrive. Another treatment option is parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), a program in which parents and children interact with a trained professional to develop new, adaptive coping skills.
Recoveries
Recoveries from childhood trauma are multifaceted and involve different stages of healing. The first phase of recovery focuses on managing intense memories. It is important to note that intense memories do not have to haunt people for years. The next recovery phase focuses on reconnecting with meaningful activities, relationships, and other aspects of life. This process can be facilitated using the methods described in the book Trauma and Recovery and Abused Boys by Mic Hunter.
Another important step in healing is to develop healthy emotion regulation capacities. Children abused or neglected during their childhood often develop unhealthy coping behaviors. These behaviors soothe the emotional impact of the trauma, but they have long-term consequences, including dangers to physical and psychological health. Many physicians do not specialize in childhood trauma screening. This lack of awareness makes a proper diagnosis difficult. Recoveries from childhood trauma are facilitated through therapy and self-compassion.
