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Essay effects of childhood trauma
Essays on impact of emotional trauma on children
Essays on impact of emotional trauma on children
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Childhood trauma has a significant impact on the life of a child. It affects the child’s overall functioning and development, including emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social elements. (Perry, Pollard, Blaicley, Baker, & Vigilante, 1995). An overwhelming number of children experience some type of trauma in developmentally critical years which, as previously mentioned, has a major impact on the various aspects of their functioning- specifically their development. Trauma can present itself in a multitude of forms. It may occur that the child lives or lived in a state of poverty or that he suffered a significant injury or the loss of a parent or caregiver. A disheartening number of children experience neglect or abuse in its various forms; …show more content…
According to research done by Gokmen Arslan (2016), childhood “psychological maltreatment” may directly indicate depression, or low self-esteem in adulthood. Childhood abuse and general trauma are two major risk factors of depression in adolescent and adult years (Wingo et al. 2010). While the term “depression” often is used in a colloquial manner, it is not a disease to be dealt with casually. According to Wingo et al., sixteen percent of the population is affected by major depression alone. Additionally, it is one of the top ten causes for disability and untimely death in the United States. This number does not include dysthymia and other mental health issues which brings the percentage up to almost 19% (Reserved, 2016). Roy, Carli, & Sarchiapone (2011) even address studies that show a correlation between childhood trauma and suicide attempts in patients with psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between experiencing childhood trauma and substance abuse, which can lead to additional social, emotional, and developmental problems (Calmes, 2012). These psychological challenges are not necessarily caused by childhood trauma; however, they are a result of the “dysfunctional” and “addictive” behaviors that many survivors engage in (Putnam, 2006). Childhood trauma can cause a disrupt in personality development which will in term harm the way that the child develops emotionally, physically, behaviorally, cognitively, morally, and relationally. Therefore, the child may have to work very hard to live a life free of negative consequences from his or her
Reviewing the 12 Core Concepts of the National Child Trauma Stress Network, James is suffering from three of the 12 concepts. Number 1 core concept, Traumatic experience are inherently complex. Traumatic experiences are inherently complex no experience are the same varying degrees of objective life threat, physical violation, witnessing of an injury or death. The victim perceives their surroundings and decides what is best for them now safety and self-protection. Number 4 core concept, A child or adolescent can exhibit an extensive range of reactions to suffering and loss. Number 9 core concept, the developmental neurobiology triggers a youth’s reactions to traumatic experience. In this paper, we will be covering another trauma that affects the social worker or case worker who works on these cases of
Trauma is an overwhelming experience that causes injury to a person's psychological state of mind. Complex trauma, on the other hand, is a term used by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). In which an increased emphasis is placed on the impact of multiple traumatizing events that occur during child development stages. As well as an increase in sensitivity of those traumas involving close personal relationships, such as caregivers and siblings (Forkey 3). Children exposed to complex trauma suffer from detrimental short-term and long-term effects on every aspect of their child development. These effects significantly impact their overall "quality of life," specifically affecting areas of cognitive functioning, neurobiological
The Adverse Childhood Experiences study (ACE) conducted by Felitti et al. (1998) proposed that children who experienced maltreatment and neglect along with dysfunctional family systems were at higher risk for developing physiological and psychological problems later in life. The ACE studies demonstrated the collective effects of negative childhood experiences on physical and mental health issues. These disorders include; substance abuse, suicidal ideality, and depression, as well as a host of medical problems (Putnam, Harris & Putnam, 2013). In addition, the study indicated that exposure to two or more adverse childhood experiences is linked to higher rates of smoking, promiscuity, substance abuse, and eating disorders (Anda et al., 2006).
The individual’s mind has various methods of protecting the self by identifying a scenario and applying certain defense mechanisms. This part of the mind is called the psyche, which acts as the brain’s defense mechanism when one deals with trauma or sadness. Most often, people do not even realize they are being protected by the psyche, because its job is to make one become unaware of their potential intense feelings. This feeling of unawareness is called dissociation, which Martha Stout refers to in her essay, “When I Woke Up Tuesday Morning, It Was Friday.” Dissociation isolates memories so that one can function properly without letting their emotions take over. Stout explains that trauma
In the article “The long-term impact of childhood abuse on internalizing disorders among older adults” Child abuse is a major life stressor that has important consequences for several indices of mental health in adults (Sachs-Ericsson, Verona, Joiner, & Preacher, 2006). The connection between the childhood abuse and adulthood consequences gives insight of just how severe effects it as on you later in life. In the survey a measurement of childhood abuse experiences including emotional, physical and sexual were recorded. The percipients were also analyzed for any low levels of self-esteem issues. After three years the same participants were re-interviewed. They were now diagnosed using the DSM-IV. The diagnoses included internalizing disorders like anxiety and mood disorders. Within the report it includes demographics of abused and non-abused within the older adults. Next, a series of hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed with the internalizing diag- nostic count as the dependent measure and the childhood abuse scale inserted into the model as a predictor, following the inclusion of the covariates. (Sachs-Ericsson, N., Gayman, M. D., Kendall-Tackett, K 2010).
Childhood Trauma is defined as “The experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.” (The National Institute of Mental Health). Childhood trauma is an epidemic that seems to be running its way throughout the world. Childhood trauma is a worldwide problem that can affect anyone and everyone. People tend to just try and help the problems that occur due to the childhood trauma, but not the problem itself. Many of these issues will also follow the child into their adult years and will cause negative effects. This paper will discuss the negative outcomes for a child who suffers from childhood trauma, and the negative outcomes that can follow them into adulthood.
Children experience decreased development in the left brain when traumatic events occur (Network, n.d.). Imagine being a child and growing up with these types of events occurring. A traumatic event in a child’s life can cause a child to experience a long lasting negative effect. Life events are happening everywhere and more often in the lives of children (Understanding Child Traumatic Stress, n.d.). Trauma can cause them to do three things. First, they try to see what the danger is and how serious it is. Secondly there are strong emotional and physical reactions. Thirdly they attempt to come up with what to do that can help them with the danger. Traumatic events can cause a child to develop differently, which effects the young child stage,
Buss, K., Warren, J., & Horton, E. (2015). Trauma and treatment in early childhood: A
According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event. Some terrible events that happen all too often are rape, natural disasters or an accident. Immediately following the event shock and denial are likely to occur, but in the long-term flashbacks, unpredictable emotions and troubled relationships can arise. Defining emotional trauma on a child. Emotional trauma in a child can be created by bullying, emotional abuse, death of loved ones, separation from parent, or chaos and dysfunction in the household. Child symptoms of trauma can be very similar to depression symptoms. They can over sleep or sleep to little, unexplained anger, trouble focusing, obsessive worrying and some anxiety. How a child experiences an event and how it’s handled by those around him have an effect on how traumatizing it can be, notes Dr. Jerry Bubrick (Child Mind Institute , 2017). People grieve at different speeds and the way the child grieves is not the correct indicator on how the child will cope later. Defining physical trauma on a child. Physical trauma on a child is considered non-accidental or the cause of physical injury. Some households that suffer from alcoholism/substance abuse and anger issues have higher occurrences of child abuse as compared to households without according to psychology today. Sometimes kids that are abused are unaware that they are being abused and are victims of child
Early childhood trauma generally refers to the traumatic experiences that overwhelm a child’s ability to cope with what they have experienced. Although children aged 0-6 years can be exposed to trauma as a result of natural disaster, accidents, or war, for the purposes of this paper we will examine only those early childhood traumas, resulting from intentional violence such as, physical, sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and witnessing domestic violence, also known as developmental trauma. Since early life experiences program the brain and body for the environment it encounters, children who experience psychological trauma in early childhood, are more likely to develop a substance addiction in adolescence, with 46% of males at higher
Children's brains are still developing and therefore, trauma has a much more extensive influence on their self, the world and their ability to regulate. The results of a traumatic event Children suffering from symptoms of trauma have difficulty coping and therefore, cannot regulate their behaviors and emotions. They may be clingy and fearful of new situations, easily frightened, difficult to console, and/or aggressive and impulsive. They may also have difficulties with sleeping, acquired developmental skills, and functioning and behavior (NCTSN, 2014). Children who have problematic results from trauma such as child abuse, neglect, death of loved ones or other traumatic experiences may receive a variety of diagnoses (APA, 2000).
Childhood abuse, whether sexual, physical, and/or emotional, can have an immediate, intense, and long-term effect on not only a child’s development, but also an individual’s course of life in general. From infancy, abused children are more withdrawn and emotionally disengaged than most people, exhibiting less social interaction, prosocial behavior, and affective attachment (Mueller & Silverman, 1989; Solomon & George, 1999). These effects can be observed through high rates of substance abuse (alcohol and drugs), psychiatric disorders, and even through severe interpersonal relationship difficulties.
The effects of child abuse are multiple. The pain and trauma the abused child goes through is just a small part of how this cauldron of hidden depravity in our society affects all of us. Wrecked lives can be seen in persons of all ages and in all walks of life. Society as a whole is also effected by child abuse both in negative and positive ways. In this essay I will present some of the factor and results of this violent behavior on individuals as well as our culture.
They tend to dilute themselves from society and confine their emotions and feelings to a small variety of people, otherwise they become completely isolated from society. They struggle to find happiness and lose focus on the brighter side of life. The main reason that the children form depression and PTSD cases is they “tend to feel powerless and tend to fear the abuser, knowing that they can’t do anything to help the parent in need and to stand up to the abuser” (2001, Levendosky & Graham- Berman). Depending upon the severity of the abuse, the symptoms of depression could potentially not be as profound as others. Children that are introduced to lesser quantities of abuse tend to be on the shy side of the spectrum. While in severe cases of abuse, depression can be so severe that suicidal thoughts may arise in the
Trauma’s can definitely scare someone for a lifetime, but it can also give them depression. The traumatic events during childhood, such as, physical or emotional abuse, and the loss of a parent, may cause changes in the brain that makes a person more susceptible to depression (“Teen Depression”). Physical and emotional abuse is a main cause of trauma because the teen will not be able to trust anyone. Adolescence can be a very turbulent and difficult time, even for the well-adjusted teen. Teenagers with depression can have far-reaching implications, when young people suffer from or with emotional difficulties they aren’t sure how to manage (“10 Common Causes”). A physical abuse from a loved one or relationship has a lot of impact on a teen’s life. In the aftermath of traumatic events that a teen has gone through the teen can become depressed ...