The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adulthood
According to the American Psychological Association (2018), trauma refers to “any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative eCect on a person’s attitudes, behaviour, and other aspects of functioning.” Childhood trauma refers to events such as abuse, violence, neglect, and other incidents that occur before the age of 18 years and create an emotional disturbance (Kuzminskaite et al., 2022).
Understanding the impact of childhood trauma on adulthood is an important topic, not merely as an academic interest but also as an essential component of healthier and more resilient individuals and communities. Childhood trauma poses lasting consequences, both psychologically and physically, that endure throughout the lifespan. Psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, personality disorders, and PTSD, are more prevalent. There is an increased risk of chronic diseases related to the increased cortisol produced by the stress response system, which invokes changes in metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory, and inflammatory conditions. Other physical health concerns include chronic pain syndromes, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel. Emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and attachment issues lead to diCiculties in intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning and quality of life. Physicians, other healthcare workers, and the community at large must be more educated about the eCects of childhood trauma on adulthood and trauma in general. Trauma is a public health issue, and as such, awareness is vital. Recognition of the connection between childhood trauma and adult psychopathology and physical illness will lead to improved treatment outcomes, reduced stigma, increased disclosure, and a better quality of life.
Adopting a trauma informed approach to healthcare is one possible solution to this problem and will impact social change on an individual, community, and societal level.
References
American Psychological Association (2018). Trauma. https://dictionary.apa.org/trauma.
Dye, H. (2018). The impact and long-term eCects of childhood trauma. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 28(3), 381-392.
Kuzminskaite, E., Vinkers, C. H., Milaneschi, Y., Giltay, E., & Penninx, B. (2022). Childhood trauma and its impact on depressive and anxiety symptomology in adulthood: A 6- year longitudinal study. Journal of A;ective Disorders, 312, 322-330.
Springer, K. W., Sheridan, J., Kuo, D., & Carnes, M. (2003). The Long-term Health Outcomes of Childhood Abuse: An Overview and Call to Action. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 18, 864-870.
Lori McGrinder RN, BA, BSN, MS, ADHD (CCSP)
