Many adults don’t necessarily attribute the experiences in their childhood to their current realities. But research continues to reveal that childhood trauma often plays a profound role in someone’s personality, coping style, and adult relationships. Did you experience any of the following experiences during childhood: physical abuse, sexual assault, rape, molestation, or attempts to sexually coerce someone, the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one, a parent that abused or was addicted to substances, witnessing severe violence or abuse happening to another person, chronic neglect, or abandonment, being diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition, surviving a severe event, like a massive car accident? No two people react to trauma the same. How one copes, reacts, and internalizes the trauma can have lasting consequences on their overall functioning. Children cope with trauma in numerous ways. Some children will grow out of these strategies, particularly if they gain self-awareness of their patterns. But many other adults unconsciously continue to engage in destructive thoughts and behaviors that impact their mental, emotional and physical health.
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