Research studies shows that trauma affect 46% of youngsters at some point in their lives.Although children are robust, they are not unbreakable. Adults frequently assert that children who experience trauma won't remember it as adults because they were so little at the time. However, trauma in childhood could have a long-lasting effect. That’s not to imply that even if a youngster goes through a terrible ordeal, they won't be emotionally traumatized for life. However, it's crucial to know when a youngster may require professional assistance for coping with their trauma. An early passionate care & empathetic intervention minimize trauma's effects.

What Is Trauma in Childhood?

Any incident causing fear in children such as frequent violent at home, dangerous, or life-threatening issue known as a childhood traumatic event. There are numerous distinct circumstances that can result in trauma, which are also commonly referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Children may experience trauma from physical or sexual or emotional abuse, for instance. Children can suffer psychological effects from one-time occurrences like a vehicle accident, a natural disaster (like a storm), the death of a loved one, or a serious medical event. Even if it seems normal to an adult, ongoing stress such as living in a risky neighborhood or being the focus of bullying can be traumatizing for a youngster.

Events which don't directly affect the child could potentially cause childhood trauma. Children may experience severe trauma from witnessing a loved one go through a serious health crisis, for example. This effect can also be caused by violent media. An encounter is not necessarily traumatic just because it is upsetting. For instance, a youngster will probably be impacted by a parent's divorce, but it won't necessarily be traumatic.

Traumatic experiences can have an impact on a child's brain development, which can have long-term effects on their physical, mental, and social development.

Impact of Trauma on Physical Health

A stressful event that a youngster goes through can hinder their physical growth.

Their immunological and central nervous systems' growth may be hampered by the stress, making it more difficult for them to reach their full potential.

The chance of developing a chronic illness later in life increases with the number of traumatic events a kid has, according to a 2015 study reported in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. It specifically mentions how recurring trauma raises a child's likelihood of developing:

• Asthma
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Stroke

According to a 2019 analysis of 134 distinct research-based articles, exposure to negative events as a youngster raises the likelihood of growing up with a number of disorders, including autoimmune diseases, lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, as well as higher pain thresholds.

Impact of Childhood Trauma on Mental Health

Trauma experienced as a child may have an effect on mental health. Among the psychological repercussions of traumatic events are:

• Anger Issues
• Depression
• Emotional angst
• High stress levels
• Trauma-related stress disorder (PTSD)
• Psychotic illnesses

Complex traumatized children may even become disassociated. Dissociation entails psychologically detaching oneself from the experience. They can think they aren't in their bodies and therefore are seeing it from another location, or they might forget what happened and have memory lapses.

According to research, adults who endured traumas like physical or sexual abuse or domestic violence as children have a much greater rate of suicide attempts.

Effects of Trauma on Relationships

The mental and physical well-being of a kid depends on their relationship with their caregivers, whether they be parents, grandparents, or other relatives or non-relatives. Children's connection to their caregivers can teach them to trust people, control their emotions, and interact well with their environment.

However, if a youngster goes through a trauma that teaches them they can't rely on or trust that caregiver, they're likely to think the world is terrifying and people are dangerous. The ability to develop relationships throughout their youth and into adulthood becomes extremely challenging as a result of this instruction.

Traumatized children are more prone to struggle in romantic relationships as adults. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology, even when still in the honeymoon stage, marriages with partners who have a history of abusing children tend to be less fulfilling.

Consequences of Childhood Trauma on other aspects of life

The effects of childhood trauma might occasionally go beyond relationships and physical or mental health. For instance, several studies have found a link between unfavorable childhood experiences and a higher likelihood of becoming a criminal offender by the age of 35, frequently committing significant and violent crimes.

Additional effects could be:

• Being more readily "set off" and reacting more strongly
• Taking part in risky activities (such as driving at high speeds or unsafe sex)
• Not being able to anticipate or prepare for the future
• Greater likelihood of self-harm
• Impulse control issues
• A low sense of self
• Difficulty with logic or problem-solving

Children who experience traumatic incidents may also be less prepared to raise their own children in the future.

Children can return to a healthy state of functioning even though there may be some degree of suffering following a traumatic experience, and some children are less influenced by their surroundings than others.

It is never too late to seek help by psychologist if childhood trauma has had detrimental repercussions. Trauma treatment can still be helpful and effective, whether you adopted a teenager who was abused more than ten years ago or you never sought treatment for the traumatic events you went through forty years ago. Seek Online Counseling with best Child Psychologist at TalktoAngel.com or in person consultation at Psychowellness Center at Dwarka, Delhi

Contributed By- Dr. (Prof) R.K Suri and Ms. Varshini Nayyar