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What is Childhood Trauma

April 11, 2019

Childhood trauma is a dangerous or frightening event that a child between the ages of infancy and 18 years of age experiences personally or witnesses. Trauma evokes strong, negative emotions as well as a physical response. It triggers the natural fight-or-flight response, which causes a person to either fight back or run away as a survival mechanism.

A trauma does not necessarily cause lasting effects. In some children, though, the impact of one or more traumatic experiences can lead to child traumatic stress. Reactions to trauma may include emotional distress, depression, anxiety, changes in behavior, difficulty developing healthy relationships, developmental issues, and physical symptoms like weight loss or pain. The repercussions can last for years and increase the risk of problems later in life, such as substance abuse or other risky behaviors.

Types of Childhood Trauma

The perception of trauma is subjective, and it can be anything that is frightening or poses a danger to a child or to someone he or she cares about. But, there are some more common types or categories of experiences that are often traumatic for children, including:

  • Neglect
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Bullying
  • Witnessing violence, including domestic violence
  • Community violence and terrorism
  • Sudden loss of a loved one
  • Substance abuse in the family
  • Mental illness in the family
  • Life-threatening illnesses or accidents
  • Separation or divorce of parents
  • Deployment or incarceration of a parent
  • Natural disasters
  • Refugee experiences
  • Commercial sexual exploitation

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