Treating Unresolved Childhood Trauma in Adults to Break Intergenerational Trauma Cycles
Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, can have a profound impact on our brains and bodies as kids. These effects can last well into adulthood, like a scar. Left untreated, studies have shown that trauma can lead to increased risk for chronic health issues like heart disease, obesity, depression, and suicide attempts in adulthood.
What is Childhood Trauma?
Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood, such as:
- Experiencing violence, abuse, and/or neglect
- Witnessing violence in the home or community
- Having a family member attempt or die by suicide
- Substance abuse in the home
- Parental mental health problems
- Instability (food and/or housing) due to poverty or parental separation/divorce
- Instability due to household members being in jail or prison
- Experiencing a natural disaster or war
How Common is Childhood Trauma?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), childhood trauma is quite common. They report that about 64% of adults in the United States have reported experiencing at least one type of ACE before the age of 18 and nearly one in six adults reported having experienced four or more ACEs.
Some groups of people are also at a greater risk of experiencing ACEs more than other groups. Inequalities linked to historical, social, and economic environments in which some families live can increase an individual’s risk. ACEs were also reported highest among females, American Indian and Alaska Native adults, as well as adults who are unemployed or unable to work.
The Cycle of Trauma
But it’s more than just an effect on our own physical health as adults with unresolved trauma. There is an increased risk that those who experienced abuse or neglect as a child continue that own cycle of abuse/neglect with their own families.
Studies have also shown that adults who have experienced trauma in childhood are more likely to feel more stressed when they become parents, and that their children are at a higher risk of developmental delays and mental health issues.
How to Break the Intergenerational Cycle of Childhood Trauma
Addressing ACEs and breaking the cycle of childhood trauma takes a collaborative approach with integrated care.
Positive, safe relationships are an integral part of healing from childhood trauma. Because childhood trauma is caused by negative relationships, this can lead to a loss of trust and safety. In order to allow space for healing to occur, safe and positive relationships must be a part of your healing process.
One of the biggest aspects of treating unresolved childhood trauma is trauma-focused therapy and counseling. This allows a positive and safe environment for the person who experienced trauma to work through that trauma. Having a therapist can also create that positive and supportive relationship, instead of a negative one. Speak with your healthcare provider about finding the right trauma-informed therapist for your needs.
Wanting to parent your own children differently is probably a goal of yours, but it may be hard to know how to get there. It can be difficult to deal with the feelings that arise when a child is throwing a temper tantrum. But some tools to manage parental stress include activities such as journaling and regular self-care, as well as resources to help you deal with your own children’s meltdowns and tantrums differently through education of what a healthy parenting model looks like. The Mayo Clinic recommends an “authoritative” parenting style, which is considered the ideal style for its combination of warmth and flexibility while still setting boundaries and expectations.
Key Takeaways
Healing trauma is still possible! With the right therapies and community around you, it is possible to work through your trauma and begin to heal from your own trauma. If you are concerned about how your childhood trauma is affecting you and your family, reach out to your healthcare provider to learn about your options for therapy, parenting support, and more.
Join the Childhood Trauma Sherpa community! Follow our blog online for FREE resources and information, plus join our Facebook group, The Child Trauma Project for Parents, for a supportive community of individuals.
