Childhood trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on an individual, impacting their mental and physical health into adulthood. Symptoms of childhood trauma in adults can include:
1. Chronic physical health problems: Research has shown that individuals who experienced childhood trauma are more likely to experience chronic physical health problems in adulthood, including heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, and chronic pain.
2. Mental health issues: Childhood trauma has also been linked to an increased risk for developing mental health disorders in adulthood, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse disorders.
3. difficulty maintaining healthy relationships: Adults who experienced childhood trauma may find it difficult to trust others or maintain close relationships. They may also act out in violence or anger towards others.
4. poor self-esteem: Individuals who have experienced childhood trauma often struggle with low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness or shame. This can lead to further social isolation and difficulties in life functioning overall.
Strong Unexplained Reactions to Specific People
If you grew up experiencing trauma, you may have strong and unexplained reactions to specific people. These reactions can be triggered by something as simple as someone wearing the same cologne or perfume as your abuser, or having the same hairstyle.
You may also find yourself feeling uncomfortable around people who remind you of your abuser in some way. This could be because they have a similar build, voice, or mannerisms.
Triggers can also be less obvious things like someone being too friendly or touchy-feely, or even just being in a room with too many people. These triggers can cause you to feel anxious, panicked, angry, and on edge.
If you find yourself having strong reactions to certain people, it’s important to understand that this is a normal response to trauma. It’s your body’s way of trying to protect you from further harm. If you can identify your triggers and avoid them if possible, it will help lessen the intensity of your reactions.
If avoidance is not possible or does not work for you, there are other ways to cope with triggers such as exposure therapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a type of therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating trauma-related disorders such as PTSD. If you think EMDR might be right for you, talk to a mental health professional who specializes in this type of therapy.
Attachment Issues
You may have difficulty forming close, intimate relationships. Or you may find yourself drawn to people who are unavailable or unresponsive. You might have a hard time trusting other people or feeling like you can rely on them.
These problems can make it difficult to find and keep a job, parent effectively, or deal with stress and conflict in your personal relationships. They can also lead to substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
If you experienced trauma as a child, it’s important to seek help from a therapist or counselor who specializes in treating attachment issues. With treatment, you can learn how to form healthy attachments and develop more satisfying relationships with others.
Anxiety
People with anxiety disorders have persistent and excessive fear or worry. They may have physical symptoms such as a pounding heart, sweating, trembling, or feeling short of breath. They may feel like they are going to faint or have a heart attack. People with social anxiety disorder may feel very anxious in social situations such as parties or meetings. They may avoid these situations altogether or be very uncomfortable when they are in them. People with OCD have persistent and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that they feel they must do over and over again to control their anxiety. people with PTSD relive a traumatic event through flashbacks or nightmares and often feel very anxious and on edge.
Symptoms of anxiety can interfere with daily activities such as work, school, relationships, sleep, and eating habits. When not treated effectively, anxiety can lead to other problems such as depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.
Consistent Exhaustion
It is estimated that one in four children in the United States will experience some form of trauma before they reach the age of 18. That means that every year, millions of kids are faced with potentially life-altering events. Some of these children will go on to lead happy and successful lives, while others will struggle to cope with the aftermath of their trauma.
For those who do struggle, the effects of childhood trauma can last a lifetime. If you are an adult who is struggling with fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, or depression, it may be due to unresolved childhood trauma. Here are some signs that your exhaustion might be rooted in past traumas:
1. You’re Always Tired
If you find yourself struggling to get out of bed in the morning or feeling exhausted by early afternoon, it could be a sign that you’re carrying around unresolved trauma. When we experience traumatic events, our sympathetic nervous system is activated and we go into “fight-or-flight” mode. This state is characterized by increased heart rate and blood pressure as well as heightened alertness. While this response is beneficial in the short-term (it allows us to respond quickly to dangerous situations), it takes a toll on our bodies if it becomes chronic.
If you’re always tired but can’t seem to get enough sleep, it may be because your body is still in “fight-or-flight” mode even though there isn’t an immediate threat present. This can lead to chronic fatigue and make it difficult to concentrate or focus on tasks at hand. If you suspect that your fatigue might be due to unresolved trauma, consider talking to a therapist who specializes in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Unable to Cope in Normal Stressful Situations
It is normal to feel overwhelmed by stress at times. However, if you grew up experiencing trauma, you may find it difficult to cope in situations that other people would consider normal. You may feel like you are constantly on edge, struggling to keep up with the demands of daily life.
There are a number of signs that can indicate that someone is struggling to cope with the after-effects of childhood trauma. If you find yourself exhibiting any of these signs, it may be helpful to seek out professional help.
1. You Have Difficulty Trusting People
If you experienced trauma as a child, it can be difficult to trust people as an adult. You may have trouble trusting your partner or friends, and you may always be suspicious of others’ motives. It can be hard to let yourself be vulnerable with someone when you don’t trust them fully.
2. You Struggle With Intimate Relationships
Intimate relationships can be a challenge for anyone, but they can be especially difficult for those who experienced childhood trauma. Trauma can make it hard to get close to someone else or to feel comfortable being intimate with them. You may find it difficult to open up about your feelings or needs and instead keep everything bottled up inside. This can lead to problems in your relationship over time.