While the saying "time heals all wounds" is popular, that doesn't mean it is correct, especially when it comes to childhood emotional trauma. If you experienced emotional trauma during your childhood, then first realize that you are not alone, no matter how isolated you may feel. Sixty percent of all adults report experiencing some type of trauma during their childhoods.While the type of trauma experienced varies from person to person, any type of childhood trauma can leave emotional wounds that are very difficult to heal.
Read on to learn three steps to dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic childhood.
1. Recognize How Unhealed Childhood Trauma is Impacting Your Mind Now
Even if you think you have "gotten over" your childhood trauma, ask yourself if that really is true. Unless you are truly happy and content with the emotions you feel and the decisions you make on a day-to-day basis as an adult and all of your relationships are thriving, then you may have some lingering psychological symptoms that, if resolved, could lead to a happier life for you.
Just a few of the common emotional symptoms adults experience after living through a traumatic childhood include: always "ending up" in bad relationships, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and a lack of trust in others.
In addition, if you have a substance abuse problem that you have been unable to resolve on your own or even with the help of rehabilitation specialists, then realize that you could be using the substance to "escape" from the emotional aftermath of the trauma.
2. Know That Unresolved Childhood Trauma Can Also Have Physical Symptoms
While scientific researchers have known for quite some time that unresolved childhood trauma can continue to affect a person's mental health as an adult, recent studies have shown that it can also affect an adult's physical health. The exact reason this occurs is still unclear to researchers, but it may be due to the fact that many adults who suffered through childhood trauma feel more stress on an everyday basis, which has long been known to be detrimental to physical health.
Too much mental stress cannot only cause health problems, such as high blood pressure, but it can also worsen those that it doesn't cause, such as some autoimmune disorders.
3. Seek Childhood Emotional Trauma Therapy
If you are finally realizing that current problems in your life and even health problems may be caused childhood trauma, then you may be able to improve your quality of life and health by seeking childhood emotional trauma therapy. A psychologist who specializes in helping adults overcome the lingering psychological consequences of childhood trauma can helping you by choosing a type of therapy or combination of therapies they believe will help you most.
Types of therapy frequently used to help adult survivors of childhood trauma include exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Some involve discussing your past in depth while others require less looking back into the past and instead focus on what you can do today to improve your life. Your therapist will never force you to discuss any topic you don't want to and will tailor their approach to your personal needs and desires.
If you experienced childhood trauma, but think it is too late to resolve it and finally begin living a happy, healthy life, then rest assured that it is never too late. Recognize the emotional and physical symptoms you are experiencing now that may be due to your traumatic childhood and seek childhood emotional trauma therapy to begin healing those old wounds.
For more information, talk to companies like Andrea Brandt Therapy.
