Unseen Scars: Recognizing Childhood Trauma in Adults

Connecting the Dots

Past experiences can shape our self perspective and the way we interact with others. Unresolved childhood trauma can have a major impact. Often times, the effects of unresolved issues go unnoticed. Recognizing the behavior and trauma-related symptoms can lead to a start of improving mental health and quality of life.

People Pleasing

Adults with childhood trauma often avoid conflict including people and situations. Many will attempt to take care of everyone else around them, at their own expense. It can be difficult to say no to others. This can be linked to experiencing pain, neglect and disappointment in the past. They know how it feels to be hurt. Consequentially, adults with childhood trauma make it a point to not allow anyone to feel the familiar pain. This behavior can lead to burnout and developing resentment towards others and self. Often times, adults with childhood trauma feel responsible for the others around them, including emotional wellness of others. People pleasing is a form of manipulation to feel accepted or liked by others.

Avoidance and Emotional Numbing

Another behavior for adults with childhood trauma can be seen as isolation and self-sabotage. Experiencing neglect and pain can lead an individual to mistrusting others. It can be difficult to develop a trusting relationship. People and situations can trigger unwanted feelings and thoughts. Emotional numbing can manifest as a lack of emotional responsiveness or difficulty expressing feelings. Isolation and social withdrawal is a defense mechanism meant to protect oneself from harm.

Overachievement and Perfectionism

Adults with childhood trauma may develop perfectionism. Overachievement and perfectionism can be a way to seek external validation and control. Nothing feels good enough. Adults may struggle with negative self worth. Everything may look nice on the outside, but there is still internal conflict as in depressive symptoms. It can be frustrating to question why depressed symptoms are active. Adults can learn to seek internal validation and resolve the root of the behaviors.

Chronic Stress and Anxiety

Adults with childhood trauma can live with chronic stress and anxiety. The body adapts to it’s environment. A constant state of alertness may stem from past experiences of unpredictability or danger. Individuals may seek out danger or expect the worse in situations.

What To Do Now

Learning what has influenced your relationships, behaviors and thought processes is a great start to improve your overall health. Therapy can offer as a guide through your journey of self-insight and compassion. Your past does not have to continue to hold you back! Change your story.