Childhood is often seen as the most important time of someone’s life, this time can determine one’s growth and development. Unfortunately, for most people it’s also the beginning of lifelong struggles. Childhood trauma can go far beyond one’s mental health. Our early experiences not only affect how we think and view the world but also affect our physical health and overall quality of life. In this blog, we will explore how childhood trauma and abuse creates a lasting effect, and how it can change the body and mind.
Understanding Childhood Trauma and Abuse
Trauma isn’t simple, it has a wide variety of meanings. Childhood trauma specifically refers to any experience that is physically or emotionally harmful, and has a lasting effect on a child’s welfare. This can include any of the 10+ ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences): physical, emotional or sexual abuse, physical or emotional neglect, substance abuse, mental illnesses, incarcerated relatives, domestic abuse, and parental separation. These experiences disrupt the child’s sense of safety and security, which can deeply alter the brain’s development as well as emotional regulation. The consequences of these experiences can have a wide range of effects on how people interact, manage stress, how they see themselves and the world around them.
The Mental Side of Childhood Traumas in Adulthood
The result of childhood experiences can create deep long-lasting scars within a person. The biggest problems when dealing with traumas is the emotional effect it has. Many statistics point out that abuse and trauma leads to a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder (BPD), PTSD, and many other mental health diseases. Studies have shown that people with 4 or more ACE’s were highly at risk of developing substance abuse issues, mental health diseases, and chronic health conditions compared to those with no ACE’s. Research also shows that people with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicide.
The Results of Mental Health Diseases
Mental health diseases have many side effects, however when dealing with unresolved childhood trauma there is common consequences. Childhood trauma has a strong effect on a persons ability to have healthy relationships, often creating a self-sabotaging effect or the complete opposite being extremely attached to someone or something. Early wounds create a negative way you view things such as intimacy, and connection’s. Another big problem with mental health diseases is the risk of self-harm, and even suicide.
The Physical Effects of Childhood Neglect
The effects of childhood neglect create problems more detrimental than just mental health diseases. Childhood trauma is linked to the increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. A study shows that childhood sexual assault victims have a 45% higher chance of developing cardiovascular diseases compared to those who haven’t experienced this trauma. Childhood trauma has also been linked to chronic pains such as fibromyalgia, IBS, and chronic fatigue syndrome. A disturbing study shows that people with 6 or more ACE’s have a life expectancy of 19 years shorter than those without these experiences.
What Does ACE’s do to the Brain?
ACE’s, also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences, not only create mental diseases and chronic illnesses but also have been linked back to the brains development. Childhood trauma effects areas of the brain that are related to memory, emotional regulation, and stress response. Early life stressors causing this lack of development may contribute to the increased mental health problems in the future. These childhood experiences are extremely important to neurological wiring, and if it isn’t done healthily this could potentially cause any of the problems we’ve previously talked about.
How do we Prevent the Potential Consequences of our Childhood?
We cant change what has already happened, I’m sure if we could we would. However, we can change what we do for ourselves and family. A good way to create/keep a healthy mindset is therapy, even if it currently isn’t something you think you need it isn’t a bad thing to get ahead of the potential threats on your mental health. Therapy can also teach you how to avoid repeating the same cycle you grew up with, creating a healthy relationship with your current/or future family.
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