10 Childhood Traumas That Follow You Into Adulthood (And How Therapy Can Help)

Are you struggling with the lingering effects of childhood trauma? You’re not alone. Over two-thirds of children report experiencing at least one traumatic event before age 16.¹

These painful experiences can manifest in adulthood as anxiety, depression, and unhealthy relationships.

But there’s hope – with the right therapy, you can process your past and reclaim your life. Here are 10 common childhood traumas that continue to impact adults and how targeted treatment can help you heal.

1. Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the intentional use of force against a child, causing injury or putting them at risk of being injured. This can include hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or other shows of force.

Approximately 18% of children in the U.S. are physically abused. (ref)

Adults who experienced physical abuse as children often struggle with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. They may have difficulty trusting others and forming healthy relationships.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) has been shown to be highly effective in treating the effects of childhood physical abuse in adults. This type of therapy helps individuals process their traumatic memories, develop coping skills, and challenge unhelpful beliefs related to the abuse.

2. Sexual Abuse

Childhood sexual abuse includes any sexual activity with a minor, such as fondling, penetration, or exposure to sexual acts. It’s estimated that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys in the U.S. experience sexual abuse. 

Many never tell anyone due to shame, fear, or loyalty to the abuser. (ref)

The impact of childhood sexual abuse can be devastating and long-lasting. Adult survivors often struggle with intimacy, self-esteem, and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been found to significantly reduce PTSD symptoms in adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories, allowing the individual to heal and move forward.

3. Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse involves a pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth. This can include constant criticism, threats, rejection, or withholding of love and support.

Adults who grew up with emotional abuse often struggle with self-doubt, perfectionism, and difficulty expressing emotions. They may find themselves in one-sided or abusive relationships.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that has been shown to effectively treat the effects of childhood emotional abuse in adults. CPT helps individuals identify and challenge distorted beliefs related to the abuse and develop healthier ways of thinking.

4. Neglect

Neglect is the failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs. This can include not providing adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, medical care, or emotional support.

In the U.S., neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment, with about 78% of child abuse cases involving neglect.

Those who experienced neglect as children may struggle with low self-esteem, difficulty trusting others, and a sense of worthlessness. They may engage in self-destructive behaviors like substance abuse or self-harm.

Psychodynamic therapy has been found to be effective in treating the long-term effects of childhood neglect. This type of therapy focuses on increasing self-awareness, understanding relationship patterns, and developing new coping strategies.

5. Witnessing Domestic Violence

Exposure to domestic violence can be traumatic for children, even if they are not the direct victim.

Witnessing violence between parents or caregivers can cause emotional and psychological harm. It’s estimated that 15.5 million children in the U.S. live in households with domestic violence. (ref)

Adults who witnessed domestic violence as children are at increased risk for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and difficulty forming healthy relationships. They may struggle with anger and aggression or become victims or perpetrators of violence themselves.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in treating the effects of childhood exposure to domestic violence. CBT helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

6. Parental Substance Abuse

Growing up with a parent who abuses drugs or alcohol can be a chaotic and unpredictable experience for a child. They may face neglect, emotional unavailability, or even abuse from their parent.

An estimated 8.7 million children in the U.S. live with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder. (ref)

Those who grew up with parental substance abuse often struggle with codependency, low self-worth, and difficulty trusting others. They are at higher risk of developing substance use disorders themselves.

Family systems therapy can be beneficial for adult children of alcoholics or addicts. This type of therapy examines the family dynamics that contributed to the substance abuse and helps individuals develop healthier ways of relating.

7. Loss of a Parent

Losing a parent to death, divorce, or abandonment can be devastating for a child. The grief and sense of abandonment can have long-lasting effects. In the U.S., approximately 1.5 million children will lose a parent by age 15. (ref)

Adults who experienced the loss of a parent in childhood may struggle with unresolved grief, fear of abandonment, and difficulty forming secure attachments. They may have a hard time trusting others or allowing themselves to be vulnerable.

Grief counseling and attachment-based therapy can help adults process their childhood loss and develop healthier relationships.

8. Bullying

Bullying involves repeated aggressive behavior against a child by their peers. This can include physical violence, verbal harassment, or social exclusion.

Those who were bullied as children often struggle with social anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulty asserting themselves. They may have a hard time trusting others or forming friendships.

Social skills training and assertiveness training can be helpful for adults who have experienced childhood bullying. These therapies focus on building confidence and improving communication skills.

9. Childhood Illness or Injury

Experiencing a serious illness or injury as a child can be traumatic, especially if it involves painful medical procedures or long hospital stays. Children may feel scared, alone, or out of control.

Adults who faced serious medical issues as children may struggle with anxiety, depression, or PTSD related to their experiences. They may have difficulty trusting doctors or medical professionals.

Trauma-focused therapy can help adults process their childhood medical trauma and develop a more positive relationship with healthcare.

10. Natural Disasters

Natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, or fires can be terrifying for children. They may experience fear, helplessness, and a sense that the world is not safe.

Adults who lived through natural disasters as children may struggle with anxiety, hypervigilance, and a sense of foreshortened future. They may have difficulty feeling safe or secure.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD related to childhood natural disasters. CPT helps individuals process their traumatic memories and develop more balanced beliefs about themselves and the world.

If you’re struggling with the effects of childhood trauma, know that you’re not alone and help is available. Seeking therapy can be a powerful step in your healing journey.

With the right support and treatment, it’s possible to process your past, develop healthier coping skills, and move forward into a brighter future.

Source:

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration