By Brianna Boyd

Childhood trauma can manifest itself within a person in a plethora of ways. Sometimes a person may not even realize that the problems they are dealing with mentally stem from trauma from their childhood. But childhood trauma is fairly common. The SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCSTI) has reported that by the age of 16, two-thirds of children report experiencing at least one traumatic event. Because children have sensitive psyches, the damage from said trauma can have everlasting effects on a person. Examples of some of the forms of trauma children can go through are:

• Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

• Neglect

• Assault

• Having parents that struggle with addiction

• Witnessing family violence

• Witnessing disasters or terrorism

• Community of school violence

• Sudden or violent death of a loved one

• Refugees or war experiences

• Serious accidents

• Life threatening illness

EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

This sort of childhood adversity can have a negative impact on a person, especially when it comes to a persons mental health. Some examples of the negative symptoms that stem from childhood trauma are:

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS:

• Anxiety

• Panic attacks

• Being easily emotionally triggered/emotional outbursts

• Depression

• Anger

• Unresponsiveness

• Shame

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS:

• Eating disorders/overeating and overdrinking

• Poor concentration

• Shakiness

• Night terrors

• Lack of energy

• Physical illness

• Sleep disturbances

BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS:

• Fear of speaking and identifying their truth

• Poor Boundaries with others

• Lack of self-confidence

• Poor communication skills

• Lack of conflict and negotiating skills

• People pleasing personality

• Co-dependency in intimate relationships

• Impulsiveness

• Isolation

• Numbness or callousness

• General disorientation

Childhood trauma can have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life. Childhood trauma causes higher rates of anxiety, depression, suicide and self-harm, PTSD, drug and alcohol abuse, and relationship Counseling Baltimore Md. Children who are exposed to trauma may also develop a “heightened stress response”. This stress response can hinder a person’s ability to regulate their emotions, cause sleep difficulties, lower immune function, and can inhibit a variety of physical illnesses into adulthood.

TREATMENTS FOR OVERCOMING CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

There are many success stories about people who have overcome their trauma and the hardships they have faced because of it. When people are able to see the strengths they have gained from their childhood adversity it is easier for them to make a commitment to changing their future for the better. Therapy with a trusted mental health professional can make the process of becoming aware of one’s traumas and overcoming them so much easier. Some evidence-based treatments for treating childhood trauma:

COGNITIVE PROCESSING THERAPY (CPT) - this therapy is used to help treat people with PTSD. CPT has been shown to reduce the effects of trauma people have experienced as children. CPT focuses on re-contextualizing and helping to rationalize the traumatic events experienced by the victim.

TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (TF-CBT) – type of psychotherapy specifically focused on trauma. TF-CBT helps people change destructive patterns into positive solutions through awareness and cognitive responses.

EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING (EMDR) – a form of psychotherapy where people will recall traumatic memories while moving their eyes from side to side in a rhythmic pattern. This treatment helps decrease the negative effects of PTSD.

NARRATIVE EXPOSURE THERAPY (NET) – type of therapy that puts into context the events of a person’s life during positive traumatic points.

PROLONGED EXPOSURE THERAPY – aka “flooding.” Type of therapy where a person is exposed to traumatic memories to help them understand and rationalize those events.

HOW THE LARTEY WELLNESS GROUP CAN HELP YOU

Life can sometimes be more difficult for people who suffer from childhood trauma. We understand how trauma can
cause people to have issues with their confidence, resolving conflict, being in relationships, or even being
successful. With the help one of our therapists, one can more easily identify their traumas and the
issues that stem from it. Those who suffer from childhood adversity have the ability to feel
better today than they did when they were a child. They do not have to feel helpless. They have
the ability to change their mood, behaviors, and circumstances. But this change requires the
awareness and commitment to growth as a person. Seeking a therapist can greatly benefit a
person’s personal growth and aid in their healing. Working with one of our therapists can help one to:

• Identify their values and live a values-driven life

• Learn how to have self-compassion

• Identify and eliminate self-defeating behaviors

• Increase their self-confidence by helping them accept challenges and improve their internal dialogue

• Learn meditation and mindfulness

• Learn assertiveness and conflict negotiation skills

Our therapists can also help one see the positives of their journey as a person and help one appreciate the survival skills they gained through their trauma. When working with one of our therapists, one can transform their childhood survival skills into adult strengths. Sometimes this allows for one to excel in areas where others were only average. Examples of childhood survival skills that can become a strength as an adult are:

• Sensitivity and empathy for others

• Patience and support

• Independence

• Resilience

• Intuitiveness about group politics

• Becoming a student of communication and conflict negotiation skills

The quicker therapy is sought by a person struggling with childhood trauma, the better chance
they have at having a full and successful recovery. If you feel that you are suffering from trauma from your childhood, we suggest you reach out to us and schedule an free consultation so that we can aid you in your healing and recovery.