Sharon Hao
Edge columnist
This commentary mentions sensitive and potentially triggering topics regarding childhood trauma and abuse. Readers are advised to read with caution.
The way of being raised from childhood strictly influences an individual, and every impact will always lead to a path in adulthood.
Childhood trauma can take many forms such as physical, sexual or emotional abuse, being a witness to a traumatic event, experiencing bullying, physical and emotional neglect, misuse of substances within peers, mental illnesses within a household, parental separation/divorce, sudden death of peers, and many others. These stressful experiences of childhood trauma can have long term effects into adulthood.
Developmental trauma is more common than people think and can lead to more other problems in adulthood.
Being attracted to unhealthy relationships can also be a sign of childhood trauma, as traumatic feelings feel familiar to those who choose abusive relationships, even if it is not the right thing to do. According to Akua Mind & Body Rehabilitation Centre’s article, “Many of these individuals are aware of their past and know what they need and want, but they still choose to connect with others that can lead them down the wrong path due to their unconscious influences from their childhood”.
Those who were affected by childhood trauma have a loss of childhood memories, which is caused by a defence mechanism that occurs when they cannot accept past events as a way to avoid feeling the same emotions and memories.
Self-identity and self-esteem problems can also be because of loss of childhood memories.
According to Akua Mind & Body article, trauma from childhood is connected to depression, substance use, anxiety, eating disorders and other mental health illnesses. Those who did not have proper treatment to trauma are more likely to face struggles in resolving conflict and have poor stress management skills.
If a child was abused by someone close to them, it can change the way the child forms relationships later on. They may perceive other people as untrustworthy to keep them safe or to care about them.
Once their trust is broken, it will take a long amount of time for them to regain the ability to trust.
The effects of trauma will soon resort to finding different coping mechanisms that may or may not cause more harm to the affected person. They will also be more sensitive to the interaction and moods of others.
According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, “strong connections exist between childhood trauma and high risk behavior such as smoking, having risky/unprotected sex, and experiencing chronic illnesses such as heard disease and cancer. Individuals who have experienced abuse are also likely to experience stress and anxiety later on in life. The long-term stress and anxiety can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional issues throughout life”.
If your peers or yourself require emotional assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to counselors, trusted adults, or visiting the Child and Youth Mental Health Offices, located in Port Moody, which is certified by the government and Fraser Health.