Experiencing painful or troubling experiences as a child can have profound and long lasting consequences on your mental health and relationships with others. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 64% of all adults in the United States would have experienced at least one traumatic event by the time they turn 18.
While some of these may be isolated incidents that do no more than create a bad memory, repeated and frequent traumatic experiences can lead to severe childhood trauma. If you or someone you know suffers from childhood trauma, you might be wondering if it is possible to heal from childhood trauma and whether it can ever go away.
Today, we examine some of the most common types of childhood trauma, how childhood trauma can affect you and how you can effectively heal from childhood trauma.
What is Childhood Trauma, and How Can It Affect You?
Childhood trauma is an “umbrella term” that is typically used to refer to any traumatic, distressing or disturbing events that a child experiences before the age of 18. Because of how broadly the term can be used, the impacts of childhood trauma can also manifest differently for different people, depending on various factors including but not limited to the severity of the traumatic event, whether it was a one off traumatic event or a recurring one, and the age at which the traumatic event occurred.
Nonetheless, it has been generally accepted by scientific and medical communities that childhood trauma can undoubtedly have wide ranging and severe effects on an individual and society. Research has found that childhood traumas that are intentional, interpersonal and chronic have been associated with higher rates of PTSD, anxiety, depression, antisocial behaviors and even greater risk of alcohol or substance abuse disorders.
Different Types of Childhood Trauma
The wide ranging nature of childhood trauma means that each individual’s experience is usually different. However, there are several types of childhood trauma that can occur more commonly, and these include:
- Physical Abuse: Physical abuse refers to any intentional act of causing hurt to another person. In the context of childhood trauma, physical abuse often occurs when a family member causes bodily harm to the affected individual, and it can range from slapping and hitting to more serious forms of harm such as kicking or even choking.
- Neglect: Neglect refers to a situation in which a child’s basic needs are not met. These needs may extend beyond just physical needs such as food, housing and healthcare, possibly including more complex needs such as emotional needs and social needs as well.
- Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse can refer to any form of sexual violence or exploitation against a child, typically by an older individual, and can range from sexual harassment to molestation and exposure to explicit materials.
- Witnessing Domestic Violence: Beyond experiencing physical abuse firsthand, individuals may also develop childhood trauma if they are witnesses to domestic violence. For instance, children who witness violence between their parents or caregivers might still experience significant trauma despite not being the victim of the violence.
Does Childhood Trauma Ever Go Away?
Given the serious and considerable consequences that childhood trauma can have, an important question that arises is whether childhood trauma ever goes away. The impacts of childhood trauma can often last long into adulthood — and in some severe cases, may never fully go away.
That said, with the right treatment and support, most people are able to eventually heal from childhood trauma or successfully manage their symptoms and go on to lead healthy lives and build strong personal relationships.
How to Heal from Childhood Trauma?
When it comes to healing from childhood trauma, it is important to remember that every individual is unique and the path to healing from childhood trauma may vary from person to person.
Nonetheless, there are several well-recognized and commonly used treatment programs that have had proven successes in helping individuals heal from childhood trauma. These include:
- Individual Counseling: One-on-one counseling with a certified mental health professional (at Fortified Souls, all of our Pennsylvania-based counselors are LPCs) has been proven to be effective in helping some individuals heal from childhood trauma.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy can help you to identify harmful patterns and thought processes that are associated with your trauma, enabling you to develop healthier ways to cope.
- EMDR Therapy: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy that has been used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder with great effectiveness. If other treatment regimes have not worked for you, this evidence-based approach might be something that you can consider trying as well.
How Long Does it Take to Heal from Childhood Trauma?
Unfortunately, there’s no one answer to this question. Many factors can influence the length of time it takes for a person to heal from childhood trauma, including the type of trauma that they experienced as well as the extent that it has impacted them. For some, the healing process may take months, whereas for others, it may take years.
In any case, having a good support system in place can be crucial to achieving sustained recovery!
Start Your Healing Journey with Fortified Souls Today
While healing from childhood trauma is no easy task, the most important thing you can do is to take the first step. With the right guidance from experienced counselors and mental health professionals – along with a willingness to commit to the healing process – childhood trauma can eventually go away and you can go on to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
Here at Fortified Souls, our team of experienced counselors is here to help you in your healing journey. Whether you are experiencing the impacts of childhood trauma or are dealing with other mental health issues, we will work closely with you to help you overcome your challenges. With a focus on evidence-based practices, our HIPAA-compliant telehealth appointments enable you to get the help you need anywhere in Pennsylvania.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can help, and get started on your mental health healing journey with us!
