Side Effects Of Childhood Trauma

 SIDE EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA 

When you think of a traumatic experience, many people immediately imagine something drastic like fighting in a war, being a victim of a serious car crash, or surviving a serious illness. However, in childhood, traumatic events are often less serve than this, and they can have long-lasting , hidden impacts that will effect the child throughout their childhood and into their adult life. 

WHAT IS CHILDHOOD TRAUMA?

Childhood trauma refers to experiences of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or other forms of mistreatment that occur during childhood. These experiences can have long-lasting effects on a person's mental and physical health, as well as their ability to form healthy relationships and navigate the world. Childhood trauma can lead to a range of negative outcomes, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and physical health problems. Some people even suffer from memory loss caused by childhood trauma. ACEs fall into main categories.

MAIN CATEGORIES OF ACES:

1. Abuse: Abuse includes physical ,verbal, emotional and sexual abuse. 

2. Neglect: This category consists of physical and emotional neglect. 

3. Household Challenges: A child may experience various challenges in the home. This category consists of:

●Parents divorce, separation, death or abandonment.

●Poverty and homelessness. 

● Bearing witness to physical or emotional abuse.

●Serious accidents or illness of a loved one.

4. Community Incident: Thing that happen within the community that impact a child include natural disaster, terrorism, community violence, school violence, or social rejection. 

HOW CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AFFECTS US AS ADULTS?

Thinking back to one’s childhood often conjures up impressions of purity, delight, hope, and excitement. It is a phase characterized by safety and a period of feeling cherished and shielded. The sense of security obtained from knowing that your family protects you forms the basis for establishing strong and secure bonds in the future.

This represents the typical concept and experience of childhood. However, the actual experiences of numerous children and the subsequent impacts on their adult lives significantly deviate from this idealistic notion.

ANXIETY:

Adults who have experienced childhood trauma usually have heightened levels of anxiety. They may worry excessively and have trouble managing their anxiety.

DEPRESSION:

It can lead to persistent feelings of sadness, lack of interest in activities, and difficulty experiencing pleasure.

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER:

(PTSD) Adults who experienced traumatic events as children may have recurring nightmares, and flashbacks, or may feel a like they’re in a constant state of danger.

DIFFICULTY FORMING RELATIONSHIPS:

Adults with a history of it may struggle to establish and maintain healthy relationships due to having trust issues and fear of being hurt.

Substance Abuse Individuals may use drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with unresolved issues.

DISSOCIATION:

Some may experience periods of dissociation, feeling disconnected from themselves or the world around them.

EMOTIONAL REGULATION ISSUES:

Adults may have difficulty regulating emotions, leading to emotional outbursts, difficulty calming down after being upset, or trouble identifying their emotions.

PHYSICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS:

There’s a higher risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases among adults who had bad experiences in their childhood.

LOW SELF-ESTEEM:

It can leave adults with feelings of worthlessness or inadequacy.

SLEEP DISORDERS: Insomnia, nightmares, or other sleep disorders may be more common in adults who experienced bad stuff.

HOW TO HEAL FROM CHILDHOOD TRAUMA?

• Acknowledge and recognise the trauma for what it is.

• Reclaim control.

• Seek support and don’t isolate yourself. 

• Take care of your health. 

• Learn the true meaning of acceptance and letting go.

• Replace bad habits with good ones. 

• Be patient with yourself. 

CONCLUSION;

Childhood trauma can have a significant and lasting impact on an individual’s life. It can cause them to experience a wide range of emotional problems, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sadly, many people don’t receive the support they need to recover from childhood trauma until it has had a negative impact on their lives. If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of PTSD or another emotional problem after experiencing childhood trauma, please reach out for help. There are resources available that can help put your life back on track.

NAME: SUMAN MEHMOOD 

MAJOR DEPARTMENT: ISLAMIC HISTORY