The Startling Impact of Complex Trauma You'll Want to Know About
It is no surprise childhood abuse, and neglect can lead to long-term and even lifelong issues as an adult. It can disrupt areas of a child's development and interfere with an ability to form a secure attachment. When you combine re-occurring exposure to abuse with its long-term effects, you get complex trauma. (nctsn.org)
Complex trauma can develop when abuse or neglect replace safety and security in the home. Children in these situations are forced into survival mode. As a result, as we get older, we often discover unique coping skills that work for us to help survive day-to-day. However, these skills don't turn on and off depending upon who they're with. Instead, they may impact relationships for years to come.
Let's talk about the difference between complex trauma versus single incident trauma in adults and what we can do to help.
What's the difference between complex trauma and single incident trauma?
Single incident trauma occurs when there is a traumatic event. Examples include situations such as seeing a traumatic car accident, living through a natural disaster, or fighting in a war. The impact of this trauma can lead to PTSD.
The difference with complex trauma is the frequency of exposure. Witnessing or experiencing trauma frequently can lead to a variety of symptoms unique to complex trauma.
Often, complex trauma occurs within a relationship of trust. As a result, this can leave you in a constant state of feeling trapped. In addition to cases of child abuse and neglect, it can also occur through civil unrest, domestic violence, and sexual exploitation. Often first responders and individuals who's vocation is in the medical field are at a greater risk of living with complex trauma.
Ongoing exposure to trauma can have a severe impact on critical areas of development. For example, you may have issues with trust, forming healthy relationships, self-esteem, and identity. Adults who learn to withhold their emotions as a means to survive often struggle with emotional dysregulation. As a result, later in life, a relationship of trust may present itself, but loving another or being loved yourself may be extremely difficult.
What are Common Issues People with Complex Trauma May Face
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network helps us understand more of the challenges that come with complex trauma.
Complex trauma heavily impacts attachment and relationships. For example, a childhood attachment to a parent, or caregiver, is critical to their development. It's this relationship that teaches us how to trust others and communicate as adults. Likewise, interactions with parents lead to emotional regulation skills. Childhood is when you learn and gain a sense of self-worth and identity. Often, when abuse and neglect replace love and safety, children grow up believing that the world is a dangerous place. As a result, they learn to rely on themselves instead of others to fulfill their needs.
As you might imagine, this can transpire into a variety of issues as you grow into adulthood. Complex trauma can make it difficult to manage stress and emotions. For example, you may see children who have uncontrollable outbursts or display emotions that do not match the situation. Without help, this can continue into the teen and adult years.
Complex trauma can also impact your physical and mental health. Being under constant extreme stress can impair the development of your brain and immune system. (nctsn.org)
Treatment for Complex Trauma
Blueknot.org offers helpful insight into the treatment of complex trauma. Although the type of therapy may differ, there is a specific approach to healing complex trauma that seems to be most effective. Through this three-step process, you'll
- Work on self-regulation, stabilization, and establishing safety.
- Reprocess trauma. EMDR is a highly effective therapeutic approach for healing trauma.
- Reflect and reassess. You'll review the skills you've learned and applied well. In addition, you'll reassess areas that still need improvement.
The process of healing can be slow and difficult. Yet you don't have to face this alone. Counselors throughout the country are ready to server individuals who would like to move out of struggling to survive into a place where they can begin to live again. Your past does not have to be your future, and finding support is a good place to start. Reach out today!
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