Childhood traumas can have long-lasting effects that create physical and mental illnesses such as PTSD, cognitive impairment, and self-destructive behaviors. Many adults will suppress a traumatic event from their past and not realize it affects them today. Sadly, more than 60% of US adults have experienced childhood traumas, with many stating they have experienced three or more childhood traumas in their lifetime.
At A Fresh Start Therapy, our therapists have experience working with adults who have past childhood traumas and helping them create healthy coping skills to manage their past trauma in healthy ways. Through cognitive-behavioral therapy, play, and trauma treatment therapy, clients can move past their trauma and live productive and healthy life. If you or a loved one struggles with mental or physical issues from childhood traumas, call 855.325.3909 to learn more about how we can help you work through childhood traumas.
Childhood Traumas in Adults
Childhood trauma, also known as adverse childhood experience (ACE), is any physical or emotional abuse at the hands of a parent, sibling, or another person. The trauma can come from physical, verbal, or emotional abuse and permanently affect your body. As well as creating emotional damage and mental health issues, such as:
- Anxiety
- Worry
- Shame
- Guilt
- Sadness
- Anger
Adults who experience childhood traumas are at a greater risk of depression, drug or alcohol addiction, and suicidal thoughts. Plus, chronic stress is responsible for high blood pressure, clogged arteries, and obesity.
Adults with childhood traumas can also develop what is known as a heightened stress response. The nearly constant state of stress changes how your body handles stress and can affect emotions and sleep patterns and lower your immune system.
Childhood Traumas’ Effect on the Body
Childhood trauma harms the brain and body. When you are stressed, your body releases cortisol. A hormone that will increase glucose production during stressful moments and stop unnecessary functions during a fight-or-flight response.
In typical cases, this hormone can help keep inflammation down, repair tissues, and manage your body’s use of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Once the stressful situation ends, cortisol production stops.
In cases where childhood traumas have created chronic stress, your body produces cortisol. It can lead to physical and mental issues like depression, insomnia, heart disease, and other ailments. Fortunately, you can reduce your cortisol levels by simply eating healthy, exercising, and making sure you get enough sleep each night.
Types of Childhood Traumas
Childhood trauma is defined as any situation in which a child feels threatened. This may include experiencing the situation themselves or witnessing an event or act done to another person.
Many common types of childhood trauma include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Physical neglect
- Emotional neglect
- Mental illness
- Divorce
- Substance abuse
- Violence against your mother
- A relative being sent to jail/prison
The best way to help an adult dealing with unresolved childhood trauma is to open communication with a therapist, trusted friend, or relative.
A Fresh Start Therapy: Helping Adults Cope With Their Childhood Traumas
At A Fresh Start Therapy, we take a holistic, whole-person approach to treating mental health issues from childhood traumas. Upon your initial evaluation, we will listen to you and form an effective individualized mental health treatment plan to help you confront your past childhood traumas in a safe and encouraging environment. Our treatment programs include various forms of therapy, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
- Play therapy
- Trauma treatment therapy
- Motivational and life coaching
If you or someone you know is struggling with childhood traumas and needs help coping with their feelings, call 855.325.3909 today to learn more about working through childhood traumas.
