Unfortunately, trauma impacts more children than you may think. According to SAMHSA, more than two thirds of children reported experiencing at least one traumatic event by age 16. This means that millions of children face traumatic experiences at a young age which inevitably can impact how they grow, develop, and think. In this article, you’ll learn more about how children of trauma think by understanding how trauma negatively impacts a child.
At The Bridge to Recovery, our mental health workshop provides a safe space for individuals to improve their mental health and well-being. Our mental health program is designed to help people find healing from family of origin trauma. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your recovery.
7 Ways Trauma Can Impact the Way Children Think
Are you interested in learning more about how children of trauma think? Trauma can negatively impact the way children think, form relationships, and feel about themselves and others. Below are several ways that show how trauma can impact the way children think.
Difficulty Trusting Others
First, children can have difficulty trusting others as they grow older. Depending on the traumatic event, a child can become suspicious and cautious around not only the person/people that may have caused trauma in their life, but this can lead them to be cautious around anyone, making it difficult for them to trust others.
Feelings of Shame
Trauma can also impact how children think and feel about themselves. Oftentimes, children may feel ashamed about their trauma, or may even feel like they experienced their trauma because of something they did. This can lead many children to think poorly about themselves and have low self-esteem.
Difficulty Developing Relationships with Others
Similar to how children may have difficulty trusting others, they also may have difficulty developing and keeping relationships with others because of their trauma. This is especially true if their traumatic experience involved a breach of trust from someone in their life they once trusted. Inevitably, difficulty maintaining and developing relationships can be isolating.
Being On High Alert
Untreated trauma can also make children constantly feel like they are hypervigilant or on high alert/on edge. This is because their brain may be telling them to be cautious of certain places, people, or situations to try and protect them from experiencing another traumatic event.
Difficulty Controlling Their Emotions
Some children with trauma may also have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is because untreated trauma can cause them to suppress their trauma and then lead to having trouble managing their stress and other emotions.
Feeling the Need to Escape or Self-Isolate
Children who’ve experienced trauma may also feel the need to escape or self-isolate. Children who escape into video games or seek drugs or alcohol do so to try and cope with their unresolved trauma which can harm not only their mental health but also their physical health and relationships with others.
Difficulty Focusing
Finally, children of trauma can have a hard time paying attention and focusing. This is because their mind may wander back to their trauma that they may have suppressed or feelings they may have ignored. This can not only impact a child’s grades at school but also negatively impact their personal and intellectual development as they grow older.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about how children of trauma think. From suffering to trust others to constantly being on high alert for fear of another similar traumatic event to occur, children of trauma suffer physically, mentally, and emotionally. This is why it is essential to seek professional help if you are struggling with unresolved trauma. You should never feel afraid or ashamed to ask for help.
At The Bridge to Recovery, we are committed to helping individuals heal and transform their lives for the better. At our mental health workshop, we understand who we are as adults is a reflection of what we experienced as children. Our program allows individuals to find healing for unresolved childhood trauma for greater well-being. Contact us today to learn more.