Childhood trauma can have a long lasting impact on people. If you suffer from childhood trauma, you may be more at risk for developing anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other mental disorders. By unpacking your trauma with a trauma therapist or anxiety counselor, you'll be able to process those memories and emotions, and feel like your best self again!
What Is Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma is the experience of an event by a child or teen that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects. Childhood trauma can occur when a child witnesses or experiences overwhelming negative events in childhood. Children are too young to process events they experienced which causes them to repress, or bury, the memory.
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with mental health therapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, life transitions, and more. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and teletherapy sessions to residents of New Jersey, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Utah.
Some Examples Of Childhood Trauma Include:
Sexual, verbal or physical abuse
Bullying
Community or school violence
Losing a loved one
Neglect
Serious illness or accident
Homelessness
Emotional abuse
Military factors (parental deployment, death)
Witnessing violence/ abuse in the home
Childhood trauma impacts each person in a unique way. You may see the effects of trauma in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. Emotional and physical symptoms may appear more or less severe in different life stages.
Elementary-Age Children May Experience Or Showcase The Following Symptoms:
Fear
Separation anxiety
Moodiness
An appetite decrease
Trouble sleeping (nightmares)
Acting out
Aggression
In Addition To Those Symptoms, Teenagers May Experience Or Showcase the Following Symptoms:
Irritability
Eating disorders
Guilt
Lack of interest in social activities
Issues with school
Increase in harmful behaviors (e.g., alcohol or drug use)
Adults May Experience The Following Symptoms:
Fatigue
Chronic stress
Health problems
Panic attacks (Read “How To Manage A Panic Attack” for helpful guidance)
Impulsiveness
Self-harm
Isolation
Sleep issues (If you struggle with insomnia, learn “How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help Your Insomnia”)
For more information, check out our popular blog “How Childhood Trauma Can Impact You As An Adult.”
Childhood trauma can manifest itself in numerous ways and at different times.
Childhood trauma may be so severe that you develop other mental health disorders. This is common among individuals who experienced some sort of trauma in their childhood. The sooner you unpack your trauma with a trauma therapist or anxiety counselor, the less risk you have!
When You Do Not Address Your Childhood Trauma, You May Be At Risk For Developing…
What Is Anxiety?
Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, however, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, persistent worries and fears about everyday situations. These interfere with daily activities and are difficult to control and can last a long time. Symptoms may start during childhood and can continue into adulthood.
With Anxiety, You May Be Experiencing…
Irrational fears and dread
Feelings of being in danger
Mood swings
Difficulty concentrating
Excessive worrying
Restlessness or difficulty relaxing
Stress
Uncontrollable negative thoughts
Your mind “going blank”
How Did My Childhood Trauma Cause My Anxiety?
Experiencing childhood trauma can predispose people to developing anxiety and panic disorders.
Possible explanations are related to unpredictable environments and changes in brain structure and function.
Some examples of children growing up in unpredictable home environments include:
Not knowing if their parent(s) would be present or not
Wondering if their parent(s) were under the influence
Worrying if their parent(s) would be angry and/or abusive
Children who experience childhood trauma and neglect have more activation in their amygdala, the brain’s emotional center, compared to children who didn't experience trauma. This activation was due to the brain reacting to the threat of their parent(s) or caregiver(s). This explains the consistent activation later in life, resulting in anxiety and depression symptoms.
How Can I Lessen My Anxiety?
Speaking to an anxiety therapist or trauma counselor can help ease your anxiety right away. Anxiety treatment, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy, and Exposure Therapy, are highly effective. Most clients will benefit from a combination of treatments.
Some Types Of Anxiety Treatments Include…
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most widely used treatments for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders
Works to identify negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to maladaptive behaviors, such as avoidance and withdrawal
CBT works to challenge and remove those thoughts and replace them with more positive ones
For more information, check out our blog “How You Can Treat Your Anxiety Using CBT”
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
A type of talk therapy, in addition to CBT interventions
Interpersonal therapy will address a larger range of issues and patterns of behavior that is personalized to best address each person's needs
The goal of this type of therapy is to help you regulate your emotions, manage stressful life situations, and improve relationships
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Prolonged exposure therapy is focused on reducing your physical and emotional responses to anxiety triggers
Exposure therapy is for those who avoid situations, places or objects (known as a phobia)
While avoidance may help in the moment, over time it can become a bigger problem
If you are struggling with anxiety, you are not alone. Do not ignore the signs and symptoms as it can worsen over time. An anxiety therapist near you can help you learn to identify and manage the factors that contribute to your anxiety.
Childhood Trauma Can Also Cause Depression
What is Depression?
Depression is a common and serious illness that negatively affects the way you feel, act, and think. Childhood trauma dramatically increases the chance of adulthood depression.
With Depression, You May Be Experiencing…
Less interest or pleasure in activities you usually enjoy
Lack of appetite or overreacting more than usual
Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
Feelings of worthlessness
Feelings of hopelessness
Fatigue or loss of energy
A slowing down in thoughts and/or physical movements
Diminished ability to think or concentrate
You may be feeling a combination of these symptoms almost everyday for several months at a time. You could experience depressive episodes, in which you would experience these symptoms for a few months, or you could experience a recurrent Major Depressive Disorder where these symptoms last more than 6 months.
If you notice that depressive symptoms are impacting your life in a negative way, such as distancing yourself from your relationships or doing poorly in work or school, you may be depressed. Do not ignore the signs and symptoms, help is out there and waiting for you.
So, What Do I Do…Should I Start Counseling For Depression?
Choosing to begin therapy can be a very difficult decision. To best consider if this is the right choice for you, it may be helpful to ask yourself a few questions on how your depression symptoms impact your day to day life:
Does your depression interfere with your work, school or family responsibilities?
Do you have problems sleeping?
Has your appetite/ weight changed drastically?
Do you feel tired all of the time?
Are you experiencing physical conditions that can't be explained medically?
Do you no longer enjoy the things you previously liked to do?
Are you having trouble stopping negative thoughts?
If you answered yes to most of the questions, first remind yourself you are not alone. Many people struggle with depression, but you are not stuck with it forever. With treatment, help and support, you will feel better.
Your depression may stem from your childhood trauma. Speaking to a depression counselor can help you truly process the events that you experienced in childhood. You will finally let go of those repressed feelings and emotions.
How Therapy Can Help:
A depression therapist may use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT will help you learn how to alter negative thinking that may be worsening your symptoms of depression
The focus of CBT for depression is goal-oriented where you take an active role in your self-development
CBT has been shown to reduce relapse or recurrence rates of depression after your depression counseling has ended
A depression counselor may use Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy will include CBT interventions while adding a form of talk therapy to help better understand and process the root of your depressive symptoms
It focuses on interpersonal conflict and poor social support that may lead to feelings of depression
You will learn to communicate better and even address the problem in your life that worsen your symptoms of depression
This form of therapy for depression will help you…
Regulate your emotions
Manage stressful life situations
And improve relationships
A depression counselor or therapist can help you battle your depression.
Childhood Trauma May Be So Distressing, It Leaves You With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What Is PTSD?
A type of anxiety disorder that occurs after a deeply scary or intimidating event
You don't have to be directly involved in the event to experience PTSD
The pure shock of the event can be so large that you have a difficult time living a normal life
Anyone can develop PTSD at any age
PTSD Can Affect Anyone Who Has Been Exposed To Any Form Of:
Abuse
Trauma
Life-threatening situations
How Do I Know If I Have PTSD?
If you struggle with PTSD, you may feel hopeless- like you will never get your life back. People with PTSD have several uncomfortable symptoms.
You May Be Experiencing…
Flashbacks related to the traumatic event
Difficulty concentrating
Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
Nightmares
Feelings of detachment
Sadness or Depression
You may have PTSD if you resonate with some of the listed symptoms for at least one or more months, and you are struggling with the quality of life. At Anchor Therapy, we have PTSD therapists who can help you overcome your trauma.
How Did My Childhood Trauma Cause My PTSD?
PTSD is common in individuals who experienced trauma in their childhood. However, when trauma occurs in childhood, children can not process it. Therefore, they typically experience a flood of emotions in response. The flashbacks that can occur later in life are usually associated with triggers and heavy emotions.
Why Do Some People Develop PTSD and Others Do Not?
Not everyone who goes through a traumatic event develops PTSD. In fact, most people who endure a dangerous event do not develop the disorder.
PTSD is complex as it involves many components, also known as risk factors. Risk factors can make you more likely to develop PTSD.
Some risk factors for PTSD include:
Having a history of mental illness or substance abuse
Getting physically hurt
Seeing another person harmed
Having little to no social support
Constantly feeling helpless or fearful
Childhood trauma
Dealing with a lot of stress
I think I have PTSD. What First Steps Can I Take In Feeling Better?
Recognizing this is a great first step. It is very difficult to face and accept that you need or want help. There are many people out there willing and prepared to help you. Although it may take some time, by showing yourself love and engaging in PTSD therapy, you can recover and feel like your best self in no time.
You Should Seek PTSD Treatment If You…
Do not feel better after two weeks have passed since the traumatic event
Constantly feel anxious or distressed
Find that your reactions to the trauma are negatively impacting your home life, work life, school, and/or relationships
Are thinking of harming people or yourself (Feeling suicidal? Help is one call away: 988)
PTSD trauma therapy will allow you to understand what is happening and show you ways you can manage your reactions.
If You've Realized Your Childhood Trauma Is Actively Affecting You, It's Time To Make A Change.
Whether you are battling anxiety, depression or PTSD, you will get through it. Remember your past is the past and it's important to stay present and focus on the good. You are not alone. You may feel overwhelmed and upset if you resonate with this blog, but remember you will get better and there is help out there.
If you are struggling, please know that it is brave to reach out for help, whether it is confiding in a friend about a childhood incident or speaking to a trauma therapist. An anxiety counselor and complex trauma therapist are trained to understand the difficulty within your trauma and childhood experiences.
Sabrina Zayas
is studying Human Services with a concentration in Administration and Family Policy at the University of Delaware. She’s a senior and plans on getting her Master’s in Social Work after she graduates. In the future, she would like to work in domestic violence or homeless shelters, hospitals and schools as a social worker, and her ultimate dream goal is to be a therapist.
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