Trauma And The Effect It Has On A Child’s Development
We all want children to have happy, fulfilling childhoods. But sometimes bad things happen. Trauma can take many forms, including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, or experiencing a natural disaster or serious accident.
Regardless of the type of trauma experienced, children may have difficulty processing and coping with the event. Some may not even understand what they saw or went through. Trauma isn’t a one-size-fits-all event—some things many people wouldn’t necessarily consider traumatic can still deeply affect a child’s body and mind.
Forming secure attachments
The formation of a secure attachment to a caregiver is one of the most important stages of childhood. A child should grow up trusting their caregiver with whom they learn how to regulate their emotions and interact with the world. When this crucial emotional process gets disrupted, it can have long-lasting effects on a child’s well-being. This can lead to a range of problems through adulthood, including difficulty trusting others, fear of abandonment, and difficulties regulating emotions. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety, struggle forming safe and healthy romantic relationships, and express their feelings.
Cognitive development after trauma
Many children who’ve had trauma begin to do poorly in school. They may have difficulty concentrating, learning, and retaining information. This can lead to problems with developing important skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. Also, children who go through trauma may have difficulty with executive functioning, which can make it hard to plan, organize, and carry out tasks. This can later impact the development of positive coping skills and stress management. When all their mental resources have gone towards self-preservation in the face of a threat, these children need academic support in order to thrive.
Physical development after trauma
Trauma doesn’t just affect the mind. Children who experience trauma may be more likely to have physical health problems, such as chronic pain, headaches, and digestive problems. Also, it can affect a child’s developing brain leading to long-lasting changes in brain structure and function. Long-term exposure to stress hormones can impact the development of a normal immune system and stress response. These changes can make it challenging for children to regulate their emotions, leading to problems with mood, behavior, and social functioning. For example, a child with trauma may “overreact” to ordinary levels of stress by going into a panicked state automatically. This is due to how their body’s processes were affected at a crucial time for their growth.
Lasting emotional impact
Children who have had trauma may be more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and struggle with their mental health and mood. They may also have difficulty regulating their emotions, leading to problems with aggression, impulsivity, and self-harm. Struggling with value and self-worth due to trauma at such an early age can also affect their desire to achieve and see their lives as worth living to the fullest. These emotional difficulties can have far-reaching consequences, impacting the child’s ability to form relationships, succeed in school, and maintain stable employment in adulthood.
Getting help
It’s important to remember that trauma is preventable and treatable. As a parent, do your best to provide a safe and stable environment for your children. Keep the lines of conversation open with your child so they feel safe coming to you in distress. If something traumatic happens, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. Talk to a therapist who can help your child process their trauma and reduce the negative effects of what they experienced. A therapist can also guide you toward academic support if your child is struggling in school as a result.
To find out more about how therapy can help process a child’s trauma, please reach out to us for child counseling or trauma therapy.
