HHC Centre

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Childhood trauma is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on a person's mental and physical well-being. Children who have experienced trauma may struggle with a range of emotional and behavioral problems, including anxiety, depression, and aggression and grow up to be adults who suffer from low self worth, panic and anxiety, depression, addictions, dysfunctions in personal and professional relationships, and many other mental health issues.

Trauma can occur in different forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and psychological abuse, neglect, authoritarian parenting, and exposure to violence or traumatic events. The causes of childhood trauma can be complex and multifaceted, involving a combination of genetic, environmental, and societal factors.

One of the major causes of childhood trauma is abuse. Physical abuse, such as hitting, shaking, or burning a child, can cause significant physical and emotional harm listed above.

Emotional abuse, such as belittling, threatening or isolating a child, can also have a devastating impact on a child’s mental health.

Sexual abuse, including sexual assault and molestation, can leave a child feeling violated and confused.

Neglect is another common cause of childhood trauma. Children who are neglected may not receive the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and medical care, which can result in physical and emotional harm. Children who are neglected may also feel abandoned and unloved, which can have a lasting impact on their mental health.

Exposure to violence or traumatic events is another major cause of childhood trauma. Children who witness violence in their homes or communities may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions. Children who experience natural disasters or other traumatic events may also suffer from trauma.

Societal factors also play a role in childhood trauma. Children who grow up in poverty or in neighborhoods with high levels of crime and violence may be more likely to experience trauma. Additionally, children who are members of marginalized groups, such as racial or ethnic minorities, may be more likely to experience trauma due to discrimination and prejudice.

The effects of childhood trauma can be severe and long-lasting. It is important to understand the causes of childhood trauma and to take steps to prevent it from happening. By providing children with a safe and nurturing environment, we can help protect them from the long-term effects of trauma and give them a chance to grow and thrive.

Fortunately, there are a number of effective treatments available to help children who have experienced trauma.

What happens after traumatic events is paramount: if there is an adequate support that includes validation, empathy and emotional regulation, children tend to recover. It is the absence of support - when children are not believed, not taken seriously, made to remain silent or left ignored - what causes most of the damage, and contributes to formation of limiting and destructive beliefs, such as "I am not worthy", 'I am not important", "I can't be trusted", "I don't matter". Therefore, one of the therapies used for childhood trauma treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy helps children to change the way they think about their traumatic experiences, and to develop coping strategies to deal with the emotional distress they may feel.

When it comes to trauma healing, safety IS the treatment: helping children to experience safety stimulates Ventral Vagus Nerve which plays a paramount role in psychological health. All therapy, first and foremost, must focus on creating an experience of emotional safety and less on the "fixing". Therapies such as play therapy, art therapy, and family therapy can be helpful in treating childhood trauma. These therapies provide children with a safe and supportive environment in which to express their feelings.

Another popular treatment for childhood trauma is called trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). This treatment specifically addresses the trauma experienced by the child, helping them to process and make sense of their experiences, and to develop coping skills.

Another therapy called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy that has been found to be effective for treating trauma. It helps people process traumatic memories and emotions by having them focus on an external stimulus, such as a therapist's finger movements or a light, while recalling the traumatic event.

It's important to note that children and their families should be involved in the treatment process as much as possible, as they can provide valuable insights and support.

Furthermore, it is important to work with a therapist who has experience working with children and has specialized training in developmental trauma. Therapists must understand that child's reaction to inappropriate environment is not a disorder: theirs is an appropriate reaction to inappropriate environment. Trauma causes Sympathetic Nervous System arousal (fight or flight response) that is characterized by anger and anxiety, mistrust, disorganization, lack of focus and restlessness which is a natural response to a stress stimuli such as emotional or physical abuse.

Overall, childhood trauma is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on a child's mental and physical well-being, but with the right treatment, children can learn to cope with their traumatic experiences and begin to heal. It's important for parents, caregivers, and educators to be aware of the signs of childhood trauma and to seek help if they suspect a child may be struggling with trauma.

Treating Childhood Trauma in Adults

It is important to prevent childhood trauma and provide support and treatment for those who have experienced it. Treating childhood trauma in adults can be a complex process, as the effects of trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, including physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms such as anxiety, depression, aggression, addictions, dysfunctions in personal and professional relationships, low self worth and other, more serious issues that include personality disorders, dissociative disorders, PTSD, and more. However, with the right approach, adults who have experienced childhood trauma can make significant progress in their recovery.

Trauma healing is essentially about helping individuals to regulate their perpetual fight or flight state (overactive Sympathetic Nervous System) and/or freeze state (Dorsal Nervous System shut down) and learn self-regulation skills, engaging Ventral Nervous System that helps to experience sense of overall wellbeing, connectedness to themselves and others.

Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family System Therapy, Coherence Therapy, Sensorimotor psychotherapy, EMDR, mindfulness-based modalities, psychosomatic modalities, amongst other approaches to therapy, are trauma-informed therapies that incorporate an understanding that trauma work goes beyond talk therapy.

Treatment for childhood trauma includes mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps individuals understand the link between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By identifying and changing negative thought patterns, individuals can learn to cope with the effects of trauma in a more positive way.

Another popular treatment for childhood trauma is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a form of therapy that uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help process traumatic memories. This can be effective in reducing the distress associated with traumatic memories, and can also help individuals gain insight into the origins of their trauma.

Medication can also be a treatment option for some individuals. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It's essential that medication is used in conjunction with therapy, as it can be helpful in managing symptoms but doesn't address the underlying causes of trauma.

Finally, it's important for individuals who have experienced childhood trauma to take care of their overall physical and emotional well-being. This may include things such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, listening to music, being in nature and doing something creative. Additionally, connecting with support network of friends and family can also be beneficial - emotionally safe environment, connection to others is highly therapeutic.



Treating childhood trauma in adults can be a complex process, but with the right approach, adults can make significant progress in their recovery. t's important to work with a qualified mental health professional to find the best treatment approach for each individual.

We are wired for coregulation

Emotional coregulation is the process of regulating one's own emotions in coordination with the emotions of others. We are wired to coregulate - Ventral Vagus Nerve, part of our autonomic nervous system, which is also called social nerve, when activated, contributes to our sense of overall wellbeing, positively affecting physical and psychological health.

Dealing with trauma, it is important to create a support network. We are social beings and we are wired for connection and coregulation. Practicing receiving love and support, and providing it to others is a big factor in your healing journey.

Coregulation can take many forms. For example, a parent might use coregulation techniques to help their child calm down when they are upset. Or, two friends might use coregulation techniques to help each other cope with a difficult situation.

Empathy and Validation.

One way that people can practice coregulation is through active listening. This means truly listening to and understanding the other person's perspective and emotions, rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. It also means expressing empathy and validation for the other person's feelings. Validation is a process of making sense of another's experience of the situation, which makes them feel received and heard versus feeling rejected and misunderstood which happens with invalidation.

Collaboration.

Another way to practice coregulation is through collaboration. This means working together with others to find solutions to problems or to regulate emotions in a healthy way. It also means being open to feedback and being willing to make adjustments as needed. Flexibility and looking for win-win solution is a staple of harmonious functional relationships.

Practice.

It is also important to note that coregulation takes practice and may not always be easy. People may struggle with coregulation for a variety of reasons, such as past traumatic experiences, lack of emotional intelligence, or lack of social support. Practicing emotional self-regulation helps to be better at co-regulation.

In summary, emotional coregulation is the ability to manage emotions with others. This can be achieved through active listening (validation and empathy), collaboration, and practice. It is important to incorporate coregulation to build healthy relationships and to better cope with life's inevitable challenges.

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