Childhood trauma can cause long-term consequences in adulthood that affect both physical and mental health. People who struggle with substance abuse, mental health disorders, and even chronic physical health problems may be suffering from underlying childhood trauma.
Many adults do not realize they suffered from childhood trauma until they enter therapy or treatment. While it is normal to experience stress, especially during development, experiences that lead to trauma are much more serious and distressing.
Understanding the causes of trauma, how to recognize the warning signs, and effective treatment options can help you or a loved one overcome symptoms of childhood trauma and live a life free of suffering.
Understanding Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma can be complex, sometimes making it difficult to recognize & treat. During development, if children are put into a severely stressful situation or experience ongoing stress, their bodies go into fight or flight mode. This increases the stress hormone cortisol in the body which can disrupt chemicals in the brain that regulate emotions, memory, and even physical health problems.
Developmental trauma can also cause problems with attachment, making it difficult to trust & feel safe. This can cause future problems in relationships, friendships, and overall functioning. Childhood trauma can manifest as psychological, behavioral, and emotional symptoms. Some of the situations that can lead to trauma include:
- Car accident
- Medical injury
- Natural disaster
- School shooting
- Conflict in the home
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
Short and Long-Term Effects of Unresolved Childhood Trauma
Trauma can lead to several short and long-term consequences that impact day-to-day activities. Childhood trauma can lead to short-term effects such as symptoms in youth ranging from stomach problems, chronic headaches to temper tantrums and emotional outbursts. Trauma can also cause long-term effects that follow victims into their teen years and adulthood.
Some of the initial reactions and short-term effects of trauma include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Nightmares
Trauma can also impact people in the long term, sneaking up on them during times of stress or if they are triggered by a person, situation, or place. Some of the long-term effects of trauma can include:
- Decreased academic or work performance
- Loss of self-worth
- Chronic disease
- Mental health disorders
- Substance abuse
- Problems holding down a job
- Strained relationships
Common Signs of Unresolved Childhood Trauma
| Physical Signs | Headaches, stomach problems, dizziness, muscle & joint pain, change in sleep/appetite, increased risk of chronic health problems and autoimmune disease |
| Behavioral Signs | Isolation, aggression, violence, decreased academic or work performance, impulse control problems, lack of interest in activities once enjoyed |
| Emotional Signs | Flashbacks or nightmares, anxiety, depression, difficulty regulating emotions, emotional numbness, memory loss, lack of concentration |
Factors That Affect Childhood Trauma Recovery
Even when kids experience a traumatic experience, they won’t always go on to develop symptoms of trauma. Several factors can affect the development of trauma and increase recovery rates. There are several factors that can lead to symptoms, as well as protective factors that can help make it easier to recover. Individual, family, and community factors can all play a role in mitigating the impact of trauma. Some of these include:
- Family and whether a child has a support system can make a large impact on how well they recover from trauma. Supportive family members can help a child feel safe following a traumatic event, buffering the effects of trauma and preventing the development of PTSD.
- Severity of the event and how badly the child was hurt either physically or emotionally can be a factor in how well someone recovers from trauma. Were the police called? Did the child have to go to the hospital? Were they separated from their parents or caregivers? These situational factors can increase or decrease the trauma recovery time.
- Community factors play a larger role than some may think in kids who have experienced trauma. Having a supportive community with access to resources can help decrease the risk of further mental health problems. For kids who grow up in an already violent, impoverished, or unstable community, this can increase the impact of the trauma.
- Prior history of trauma or if the child experienced severe, ongoing trauma. For children with complex PTSD who were exposed to multiple traumatic events throughout their childhood, this can cause more intense symptoms.
Does Childhood Trauma Ever Go Away?
Childhood trauma is a part of our life experiences that we can never fully get rid of. However, with treatment and trauma-informed therapy, the symptoms of childhood trauma can go away and let you live a life free of distress. Some of the common therapies that can be beneficial in the treatment of trauma include:
- EMDR
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
- Trauma-focused CBT
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Music & Art Therapy
- Animal-Assisted Therapies
The Harper Clinic Approach to Trauma
Harper Clinic understands the complex nature of how childhood trauma can affect your mental & physical health. We provide several therapies designed to address the root of trauma including EMDR & Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). These help you process emotional distress and build essential coping skills to support your healing journey.
Get in touch with us through text, phone call, or our direct Vagaro booking. We will verify insurance, schedule your first consultation, and design a treatment plan tailored to your specific health needs.
Sources
Cleare AJ. Long-term Effects of Childhood Trauma on Cortisol Stress Reactivity in Adulthood. National Institute of Health.