Trauma is an emotional response to a stressful event that was experienced, witnessed, or learned such as emotional, sexual, physical abuse and/or neglect. Emotional abuse can often be just as extreme as physical violence.

Children who weren’t provided with consistent safety, comfort, and protection in childhood can develop coping strategies to help them survive such as hypersensitivity to the moods of others and hiding their feelings from others. The relationship we develop with our caregivers is extremely important because home is where we learn to trust ourselves and others, regulate our emotions and how to function out in the world. Experiencing trauma in childhood can also change our physiological response such as increased heart rate and/or freezing when confronted with stressful situations.

Adults who experienced childhood trauma may:

• have difficulty identifying, expressing, and managing their emotions

• experience panic or anxiety

• feel angry or depressed

• have difficulty trusting themselves or others

• have feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness

• avoid conflict with others

• have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships