Childhood Trauma Counselling in Leigh On Sea
Offering childhood trauma counselling in Leigh On Sea, turning to the Copeland Counselling Practice can help you to come to terms with past experiences.
Childhood trauma is any event experienced as deeply upsetting/ shocking and/or harmful that occurs during childhood. However, what affects one person, may not affect someone else to the same extent as we all perceive life events differently.
There may be a variety of experiences children would find traumatic including:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Domestic violence
- Bullying
- Natural disasters
- Witnessing violence
- Separation from a parent
- Serious illness or injury
Of course there are many more experiences which could have a traumatic impact on a child. These are just a few examples people may relate to.
What effect can it have?
Signs and symptoms
Trauma can manifest in different ways in different people, but there are general signs and symptoms to look out for. Here are some common signs of trauma-related behaviours:
- Intense and persistent feelings of fear, anxiety or panic
- Emotional numbness or detachment from others and activities
- Difficulty concentrating, memory loss, or disorientation
- Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or nightmares
- Intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event
- Flashbacks or visual, auditory, or physical sensations that resemble the traumatic event
- Irritability, anger, mood swings, or unpredictable emotional responses
- Avoidance of people, places, activities, or situations that remind the person of the trauma
- Hyper-vigilance (heightened sense of alertness or suspiciousness)
- Self-destructive behaviour, such as alcohol or drug abuse, or reckless driving
It’s important to note that these symptoms can vary depending on the individual and the trauma they have experienced.
What effect does trauma have?
Traumatic experiences can affect children in a number of ways, causing a variety of issues, not just the above symptoms, but also difficulty in regulating emotions. This behaviour can be misunderstood and perceived as ‘naughty’ behaviour often resulting in punishment, which serves only to exacerbate the difficulty for the child.
Childhood trauma can affect a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school in a variety of ways. Trauma can lead to difficulty concentrating, difficulty forming relationships with peers and teachers and difficulty managing emotions. It can also lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches and fatigue. These physical symptoms can interfere with a child’s ability to focus and participate in class. Additionally, trauma can lead to avoidance behaviours, such as skipping school or refusing to participate in class, which can lead to academic difficulties.
How untreated childhood trauma can show up in adult life
- Mental health issues: Increased risk of developing anxiety, depression, PTSD, BPD (borderline personality disorder) or as it is now termed EUPD (emotionally unstable personality disorder) and other personality disorders.
- Substance abuse: People who have experienced untreated childhood trauma may resort to alcohol or drug abuse in an attempt to numb their emotional pain.
- Physical health problems: Adult survivors of childhood trauma may experience chronic pain and digestive issues and have a higher risk of developing health problems such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
- Relationship issues: Childhood trauma can lead to difficulties in forming and maintaining close relationships mainly due to a lack of trust. People who have experienced trauma may also struggle with intimacy and communication.
- Self-esteem and self-worth issues: Childhood trauma can lead to feelings of shame, low self-esteem and poor self-worth. This can affect how a person views themselves and their ability to reach their full potential in life.
Why it's important to seek help for childhood trauma
It’s essential to seek help from a mental healthcare provider if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms to manage the effects of trauma, as the effects can be long-lasting and impactful on many aspects of life.
Childhood trauma can be addressed and successfully treated later in life. It may take until adulthood to even recognise that what was experienced during those formative years was traumatic. In fact there are many clients I have worked with and am currently providing counselling for childhood trauma in Leigh On Sea who are acknowledging the pain of their past and finding ways of successfully moving through it.
