Trauma in childhood can be very disruptive and cause many difficulties for you in adult life.
But
Experiencing childhood trauma does not necessarily result in mental illness in later childhood and adulthood.
What is trauma know to be associated with?
The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study in New Zealand tracked a cohort of children born in 1972 to 1973.
One of this study’s findings was that a form of a gene associated with serotonin transport in the brain appeared to increase an individual’s likelihood of experiencing depression when exposed to trauma.
This has supported the theory that our DNA, that way that DNA is expressed in the body, and our environment can impact on our mental health.
This would also help explain why some people exposed to trauma develop serious mental health problems whereas others manage well in life.
What Is Known?
Research has drawn strong links between trauma and addiction. This is in the way you manage difficulties in life.
Some people are able to “roll with the punches” and can regulate relatively quickly after a distressing event.
Others find it harder and may draw on outside actions, such as drinking alcohol or smoking, to regulate their emotions.
Many people report partaking of the addiction helps them to feel calm, or forget the terrifying experience, or feel less anxious and panicky.
Difficulties With Connecting To Others
What is also known is that experiences in your childhood impact on how you see the world and how you relate to other people.
If your early experiences were supporting and nurturing, you are more likely to see the world as a friendly and helpful place. You will also likely see others as trustworthy and safe to connect with.
But if your early experiences with others were abusive, unhelpful, and/or frightening you are more likely to see the world as unfriendly and not safe. You will also be more wary of others and may be more likely to perceive their behaviour as threatening than those who see others as trustworthy.
The person with positive experiences in childhood is more likely to readily feel comfortable with others while those with negative experiences are more likely to be wary of trusting others.
Brain Changes
What is known is that the brain of those exposed to trauma in childhood develops differently to those not exposed to trauma.
For example, areas of the brain responsible for observing non verbal communication are more developed in traumatised individuals. This is thought to give the child the advantage of being able to detect danger and act on it faster than for those with normal brain development.
In other words these changes increase the child’s chances of survival.
Other areas of the brain have been found to be smaller than for those not exposed to trauma. Some of those areas relate to the perception of “novelty”. In other words the ability to manage unexpected situations and strangers.
When To Seek Help
If you experienced trauma in childhood and are managing life well, then at this point in time you are unlikely to need help.
If you find that there are difficulties around things upsetting you, or difficulty calming down after a difficult event. If you find you feel overwhelmed often, your social life is difficult, others report behaviours they think are a problem, or you think there is a problem (even if you can’t quite put your finger on it).
If you find yourself putting up with bad behaviour from others, or you are a people pleaser, or you have trouble setting boundaries or saying no.
Then it is best to consult a counsellor.
There are occasions in life when everyone can get help from a counsellor, even if just for one or two sessions.
Can I Help?
If you would like to talk to me about how I can help you with your difficulties in life, please contact me on 0409396608 or nan@plentifullifecounselling.com.au
If you would like to learn more, I write a regular newsletter with helpful information, tips, information on courses, and the occasional freebie. At the moment I have a free mindfulness meditation for anyone who signs up to my newsletter. This meditation offers a way to safely explore your feelings and learn to be okay with them. If you would like to subscribe please click on the link here: http://eepurl.com/g8Jpiz