Dealing with trauma in childhood doesn’t just impact you when you’re younger. Many people find that the trauma they’ve faced during their adolescent years sticks with them or even intensifies as they enter adulthood.
Below are some of the ways that childhood trauma can present itself in an adult.
- Mental Health Disorders
An unstable childhood may increase one’s likelihood of developing one or more mental health disorders before or during adulthood. Childhood trauma and anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder are linked. In fact, those who have experienced trauma in childhood are three times more likely to develop a mental illness of some sort.
- Black-and-White Thinking
Polarized thinking, also known as black-and-white thinking, is a cognitive setback that is not uncommon in those who have experienced childhood trauma. When affected by this side effect, one typically thinks in extremities. They may see situations as all good or all bad- or see things through an “all or nothing” approach.
This type of thinking can be harmful in a multitude of ways. One may make irrational, impulsive decisions or give up quickly. Thus, they may struggle with making advances in life or with generally making good choices.
- Relationship Struggles
When one has experienced childhood trauma, it’s not uncommon that they felt a lack of safety in their home or within their family unit growing up. Or perhaps there was a specific individual associated with their trauma who made them feel unsafe and powerless. It is especially difficult when a child begins to doubt or mistrust a caregiver, authority figure, or other adult.
The feelings of insecurity, lack of trust, or incompleteness they may have dealt with during childhood can still be present during adulthood. These feelings often show themselves once they are in a romantic relationship. They may have difficulty getting close with, trusting, being intimate with, and/or being vulnerable with a significant other due to their past trauma.
- Lack of Self-Worth
Feeling insecure during childhood can trickle over into adulthood in the form of a lack of self-worth. Maybe they felt inadequate or unimportant while growing up due to a traumatic event or due to the way they were improperly raised. Thus, they never had the opportunity to develop a strong sense of self or feelings of confidence. Instead, they felt “small” compared to others.
Lack of self-worth can present itself in several ways. Self-worth is noticeable in the bonds we form with others and the relationships we choose to be in. Low self-esteem can cause us to get involved in toxic relationships, be taken advantage of, or generally get involved in situations that we are not okay with because we lack the power to say “no” and have a voice.
Conclusion
Childhood trauma isn’t just limited to one’s childhood. Trauma can last many years, and in some cases, can be lasting. Trauma, no matter what age it occurred, is something that needs to be dealt with by a medical professional. The sooner one gets professional help, the lesser the impact.
