Dealing with Childhood Trauma:
How It Can Affect Your Health
Dealing with childhood trauma is something that can affect your health in so many ways. Trauma can be described as an event or experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. Unfortunately, childhood trauma is all too common. It can be caused by various things, such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence. Childhood trauma can have a severe impact on a person’s mental and physical health in the long term.
My Story: Childhood Trauma
Being sexually abused by my uncles and stepfather and raped was the beginning of my childhood trauma. Being told not to say anything and witnessing my mother being beaten up even while pregnant only added to the already bad situation. I locked these traumatic memories away, thinking that forgetting them would protect me. As a teenager, I had to deal with those who had hurt me as though they were being protective over me, ironically. When I was in my junior year of high school, I had my first child. Unfortunately, I lost her before she could celebrate her first birthday. Even though I got married and had more children, I still felt incomplete. My childhood trauma surfaced more often, and I struggled greatly to deal with it. I went into a deep depression, not understanding what was happening at the time. After my husband took me to see a doctor, I was given medication that did help somewhat but didn't deal with the root of the problem. Later, I hurt my back at work and received a prescription for pain pills. After that, that's all I ever wanted. They took away my physical pain and helped me deal with my emotional pain. As a result, I was addicted to these pain pills for most of my adult life until I finally found a way to be free of them. It all started with me dealing with my past and sharing my story.
How Childhood Trauma Affects Your Health
Childhood trauma can have both short-term and long-term health effects. The mental and physical effects of such trauma can cause a range of challenges in adulthood. In particular, childhood trauma can:
1. Affect Your Mental Health
Childhood trauma can cause various mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies have found that individuals who have experienced abusive childhood will have a greater risk of developing mental health issues later in life.
2. Trigger Substance Abuse and Addiction
People who have experienced childhood trauma may turn to drugs, alcohol, or other addictive behavior to cope with their emotional pain. Research shows that early trauma increases the risk of substance use and addiction by fivefold.
3. Impact Your Physical Health
Childhood trauma can also affect your physical health in the long term. It can result in higher blood pressure, heart disease, and other chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. Trauma can also lead to changes in the immune system and inflammation, which can further impact physical health.
4. Affect Your Relationships
Trauma from childhood can make it difficult to form healthy relationships with others. It can affect your ability to trust and develop close connections with others. Childhood trauma often leaves people feeling isolated, alone, and angry.
5. Affect Your Self-Esteem
Trauma damages the self-worth of an individual. They feel like they are less than everyone else, which leads to low self-esteem. This, in turn, affects one's confidence and quality of life.
Dealing with Childhood Trauma
Dealing with childhood trauma is challenging but possible. Here are some ways to deal with childhood trauma:
1. Seek Professional Help
Professional help can help you deal with the root of the problem. You can seek intervention from trained psychologists, psychiatrists, or even a counselor to start addressing the psychological effects of childhood trauma. If you have physical health issues, then you can see a medical doctor.
2. Join a Support Group
A support group can help you share your story and connect with others who have gone through similar experiences. There is no need to feel alone, and joining a support group can be helpful in realizing that.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an excellent tool for dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It can help you stay grounded and present-focused.
4. Practice Self-care
Self-care practices, like regular exercise, meditation, and a healthy diet, can be helpful in improving overall health and managing your anxiety and stress levels. Taking care of yourself in this way is important in making strides towards healing.
5. Talk About It
Talking about your experience is crucial in dealing with childhood trauma. It can help you process your emotions better and feel less alone. It's essential to find some us.
Writing about your childhood experiences can help you reflect on your trauma and help you come to terms with the past. Write about how you overcame the trauma, and what steps you took to heal.
FAQs
1. How does childhood trauma affect the body?
Childhood trauma can lead to some physical health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and chronic illnesses.
2. How can you tell if someone has experienced childhood trauma?
Signs of childhood trauma may include anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, aggressiveness, sleep disorders, and other behavioral problems.
3. How does childhood trauma affect mental health?
Childhood trauma may cause anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
4. How does childhood trauma lead to addiction?
Childhood trauma can lead to addiction when people try to cope with emotional pain using drugs, alcohol, or other addictive substances.
5. Can childhood trauma be treated?
Yes, childhood trauma can be treated with professional help, such as counseling or therapy.
6. Is healing from childhood trauma possible?
Yes, healing from childhood trauma is possible. It takes consistent effort and support from loved ones and professionals, but you can reclaim your life and thrive.
Conclusion
Childhood trauma is a hard and painful topic to deal with, but it's essential to overcome it to improve your mental and physical wellbeing. Childhood trauma can lead to significant consequences if not addressed, so seeking professional help is vital. Practicing mindfulness, talking about your experience, and being helpful in dealing with childhood trauma. Remember, healing takes time, but with effort, a stable support system, and determination, you can overcome childhood trauma.
Crencenthia Brown