The events of childhood can have a long-lasting impact on the psyche of an adult. Many people fail to emerge from the trauma they have faced when they were child and experience mental health disorders when they grow into adults.

According to research University of Sydney, it has been discovered that 40% of mental health conditions may be linked to childhood maltreatment. This is a worrying statistic and points to an urgent need of addressing this issue at the earliest.

What Childhood Trauma Does to a Person?

When a child repeatedly experiences trauma, it leads to various mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. In order to cope with the memory of traumatic experiences, an adult may resort to alcohol and drug abuse, which can further exacerbate the problem. In some cases, it is even possible that a person may attempt suicide. Therefore, it is crucial to offer mental health help at the right time. For instance, if you are living in Sydney, Australia and find that you or your loved one is going through depression/anxiety due to childhood trauma, you should seek mental health help in Sydney. Sometimes, timely help can be the difference between life and death.

Childhood Trauma is the Main Cause of Adult Mental Health Disorders

There are cases where social and genetic factors contribute to mental health problems. However, when compared to childhood trauma, these numbers are low. It is widely established that any type of mental trauma during childhood can greatly increase the chances of a person developing serious mental ailments.

A lot of research done in the past has pointed out that over half (53.8 percent) of Australians experienced maltreatment during their childhood. Although this research is not part of University of Sydney study, it does indicate the gravity of the problem and the sheer number of people suffering from mental health issues because of childhood trauma in Australia.

Despite many parental education and intervention programs, the problem is not being resolved. Experts believe that a policy-driven approach is required to eliminate the problem from its very root.

Some of the policies advocated by experts that can help get rid of this rising problem are:

• Paid Parental Leave: Providing paid leave for new parents to care for their children without financial strain.
• Affordable Childcare: Ensuring that childcare is accessible and affordable for all families.
• Income Support: Offering financial assistance through programs like Jobseeker to help families maintain stability.
• Mental Health Support: Ensuring that parents have access to mental health treatment and support services.
• Holistic Family Support: Implementing policies that address the overall well-being of families to create a healthier environment for children.

However, these policies are still not employed grossly across the country, which is why, we cannot expect a dramatic decrease in this rising problem. Therefore, it is very important to seek the help of a mental health provider in Sydney, Australia, if you find someone suffering due to childhood trauma experienced in the past.

Spotting the Signs of Childhood Trauma in Adults

Below are some signs that can reveal if an adult is suffering due to childhood trauma experienced in the past:

• Anxiety/Depression
• Frequent panic attacks while remembering events of the past
• Poor concentration
• Constant fatigue
• Impulsiveness
• Problems with sleep
• Chronic health conditions
• Compulsion
• Self-harm/Suicidal thoughts
• Chronic stress and inflammation
• Preference to stay isolated and away from society
• Frequent eating disorders

Therapies Used by Experts to Take Care of People Suffering Due to Childhood Trauma

Below are some therapies that can be extremely useful in treating people suffering from childhood trauma:

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
• Play Therapy
• Art Therapy

Final Thoughts

In the long term, childhood trauma can destroy the lives of otherwise healthy adults. It can constantly derail the progress of people and negatively influence the society. So, it is vital that if you or your loved one are experiencing the negative impact of childhood trauma, you should get help from mental health providers such as Concept Care, which is based in Sydney, Australia. Taking the help of accomplished experts can be a step in the right direction and can add real value to the life of an individual who is suffering.