Sometimes, the past doesn’t always stay in the past and this is especially true for childhood trauma. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that 22% of adults have experienced childhood abuse and/or witnessed parental violence before the age of 15, which can result in trauma.
Childhood abuse and trauma can have a profound impact on the development and livelihood of an individual. Research has shown that trauma and abuse can significantly impact physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being and require professional support.
Even in cases where you have the support of a mental health professional, like someone with a Graduate Certificate in Youth Mental Health, as a child, that doesn’t mean you can’t still be impacted later in life. The ongoing effects can last into adulthood and require further care.
This article will explore what childhood trauma is, its symptoms, and how it can manifest in adulthood. It will also delve into how to navigate childhood trauma as an adult and treatment options.
What is childhood trauma?
Trauma is defined by The National Institute of Mental Health (USA) as “the experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.”
Events that potentially cause childhood trauma can be referred to as “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs). Adverse childhood experiences describe very stressful circumstances that children may experience during their childhood.
The most widely recognised and researched adverse childhood experiences typically relate to abuse, neglect, and household adversities. While they don’t always result in childhood trauma, they are commonly connected. ACEs can include:
- Childhood physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
- Physical neglect and emotional neglect.
- Exposure to family violence or abuse.
- Parental substance use, mental illness, separation/divorce, or incarceration.
Adverse childhood experiences in themselves can have long-term negative impacts on health, opportunity, and well-being. As stated earlier, they can also form and turn into childhood trauma.
The impact of childhood trauma
Childhood trauma caused by abuse and neglect can have significant adverse impacts on a child’s development and later outcomes in life. This can include reduced social skills, poor school performance, impaired language ability, negative physical health outcomes, and increased risk for mental disorders.
Recent studies and evidence show that childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences can even go as far as impacting a child’s brain development. Proven structural changes include the shrinkage of the hippocampus and an increased amygdala.
Traumatic experiences can also have a significant effect on a person’s hormones, in particular cortisol. Cortisol is also known as the “stress hormone” because of its importance in the body’s stress responses.
Cortisol also plays a massive role in controlling an individual’s sleep-wake cycle, blood pressure, blood sugar, and even metabolism. So childhood trauma can have a significant impact on how a person reacts and deals with stress, indirectly impacting mental and physical well-being.
Childhood trauma will vary depending on the individual and the experience that caused the trauma. Symptoms can include emotional, behavioural, and physical changes—which can even persist into adulthood. Signs of trauma in a child include:
- Self-harm behaviours.
- Changes in appetite.
- Anxiety and fear.
- Poor emotional regulation.
- Sleeping too much or too little sleep.
- Withdrawing from social interaction.
- Refusing to go to school.
Symptoms of childhood trauma in adulthood
There are many different ways in which the lingering effects of childhood trauma can influence adulthood. Below, we’ve outlined the key ways childhood trauma can impact a person later in life.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
It is possible for childhood trauma, most commonly unresolved trauma, to develop into post-traumatic stress disorder. It is estimated that 11% of Australians experience PTSD during their lifetime.
Signs of post-traumatic stress disorder include:
- Intrusive memories, like flashbacks of the event or upsetting dreams/nightmares about the event.
- Avoidance, which may include trying not to talk about the event or staying away from people, places, or activities that remind you of the event.
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions, like poor emotional regulation or being easily frightened.
- Negative changes in thinking and mood, like constant negative thoughts about you or the world, feeling detached, and ongoing negative emotions.
Emotional regulation and responses
Another side effect of childhood trauma and how it impacts adulthood is through emotions. Trauma can cause poor emotional regulation and responses and can manifest in various ways, including:
- Uncontrollable rage or anger.
- Anxiety or depression.
- An inability to express your emotions and/or withdrawal.
Physical health
Research has shown that childhood trauma and maltreatment are directly and indirectly linked to poor physical health. This is because childhood trauma can often lead to engaging in high-risk health behaviours, like smoking, alcohol, and drug use, which is bad for physical health.
Childhood trauma can also increase the risk of mental illness in adulthood, like PTSD and depression. Recent studies show that these mental health conditions are linked to poor health outcomes and increase the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
How to treat childhood trauma in adulthood
Fortunately, when it comes to childhood trauma—it’s never too late. If you find that you are experiencing any of the above-listed symptoms or notice any signs that you could still be impacted by adverse childhood experiences or trauma, it’s recommended to speak to a mental health professional.
There are many mental health professionals who can help you unpack and ultimately treat your childhood trauma. These include:
- Counsellors.
- Psychologists.
- Psychiatrists.
- Occupational therapists.
- Social workers.
Typically, the best place to start and first point of contact should be with your doctor (general practitioner). They will be able to diagnose and treat you depending on the severity. They will also be able to refer you to one of the above-listed professionals for further care.
The treatment available for childhood trauma will vary between individuals and depend on a few key factors, including the event(s) that caused the trauma, how it is impacting the individual, and the severity of the childhood trauma.
Treatment options could include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. When deciding on what treatment options are best for you, we recommend speaking to your doctor and your mental health professional. They’ll be able to help you navigate the mental health care systems and treatment options.
Along with seeing a mental health professional, it could also be beneficial to look into mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness can be a great tool for learning how to manage your thoughts and feelings and is commonly deployed in therapy.