Impact Of Childhood Trauma On Adult Survivors

According to National Child Abuse Hotline (NCAH) “ 80% of 21-year-olds who reported childhood abuse met the criteria for at least one psychological disorder” (2014). The psychological impact of childhood trauma on adult survivors has lasting effects on the quality of their life. Many survivors often live with chronic distress and pain. They are often out of touch with their true feelings or they experience intense emotions they cannot explain. Depending on the severity of the abuse it may affect how one cares for them. Many struggle with the mundane activities of daily living (ADLs), basic self-care tasks as well as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Together, ADLs and IADLs are the most basic skills that people usually need to

These feelings are often manifested well into their adult life and can result in mental health problems, interpersonal relationship problems, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, alienation, loss and grief, persistent sadness, helplessness, hopelessness and powerlessness. These emotions are very much a part of their everyday life. Many survivors are unable to regulate their emotions on their own and as a result “as many as two-thirds of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused or neglected as children”(NCAH, 2014). Many survivors also engage in high risk behaviors such as: promiscuous sexual activities, gambling, or other compulsive behaviors. Not surprisingly they are “9 times more likely to become involved in criminal activity. In fact, 14% of all men in prison and 36% of women in prison in the USA were abused as children, about twice the frequency seen in the general population”(NCAH, 2014). Many survivors also harm themselves out of a sense of despair. These are all 'coping strategies' survivors of childhood trauma and abuse

As a result it is very challenging for me to form and sustain meaningful relationships. Even though I have been with my husband for almost 10 years intimacy is a constant struggle for us. I can relate to many of the behaviors described above, such as substance misuse and other dangerous behaviors. I did not know how to identify my emotions and what was driving my self-destructive behaviors. Even though I briefly spoke about my abuse in my first session with my therapist, it took me over two years to tell her most of the things as I was having trouble trusting and attaching to her. Learning about my emotions - how to identify them and determine where they came from, and how to respond to them – was a crucial part of the healing process. Whenever I encountered other survivors in my placement I taught them healthy coping skills (that I learned through experiences and textbooks) that are effective in regulating the intense emotions. This is so that they can reduce or eliminate their use of alcohol or drugs and/or cutting themselves to express their emotions. For many survivors, learning about the psychological impact of their trauma or abuse helps them to understand why they have struggled for so long, and how they can move