People often undervalue the importance of childhood experiences. However, the reality is that our childhood experiences can define who we are as adults. Research shows that negative and positive childhood experiences have a long-lasting impact on adults’ mental and physical health. In addition, these experiences also affect family health. Families are affected by intergenerational patterns and routines that are influenced by childhood experiences.
Childhood trauma is more common than most people think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 60 percent of Americans have experienced trauma.
What is Childhood Trauma?
Children exposed to traumatic or distressing events can develop childhood trauma, which may be suppressed for years—even decades—and manifest later in life. Childhood trauma can include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. It can also include exposure to domestic violence, like one parent hitting another. In addition, bullying, community violence, and neglect can also contribute to it.
These experiences can significantly affect children, resulting in distress. Some children undergoing prolonged trauma and distress also develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Childhood trauma can have lasting negative effects, including affecting physical health, behaviors, and life potential. For instance, adults who underwent childhood trauma are more likely to engage in substance abuse and have eating disorders.
If your child has undergone childhood trauma or you’re an adult with undealt childhood trauma, consider seeking PTSD therapy or treatment for anxiety. Innovative Counseling LLC’s online mental health counselors can help you.
How to Overcome Childhood Trauma
Overcoming childhood trauma can be difficult without the right tools, but it’s not impossible. Here’s how to overcome childhood trauma:
Recognizing It
The first step is often the most difficult. It requires looking inward and accepting the trauma you underwent in your childhood. This experience can often be nerve-racking and challenging, but it’s necessary. Recognizing your trauma allows you to accept and confront it, enabling you to move forward with the right support and tools.
Being Patient with Yourself
Many adults who undergo childhood trauma have self-criticism and guilt. Their thought patterns are affected, leading to hopelessness and frustration. It’s important to forgive yourself for what happened in the past and realize you weren’t at fault for the trauma you endured. Instead, you must realize your childhood trauma left scars, and take the necessary steps to heal from these wounds. However, such deep wounds require time to heal. You must be patient and loving with yourself.
Seeking Help
It’s important to understand that everyone needs help now and then. You must reach out to your loved ones and close friends for emotional support and understanding.
In addition, seeking professional help to overcome childhood trauma is also necessary. Consider getting therapy for anxiety from an online psychologist if you don’t want to visit a therapist’s office.
Get Started with Innovative Counseling LLC
Innovative Counseling LLC offers teletherapy services in Miami. You can’t go wrong with us if you need mental counseling online. Our counselors can help you with relationship and familial problems, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma. Check out our services by visiting this link. Alternatively, contact us to book a session today.
