Childhood trauma is when an adult is affected by something that was disturbing or distressing during their childhood years. It will have impacted their psychological and emotional development. The scars such things can leave can be deep and can have a big impact on mental health, physical health and relationships. It might be from one source or multiple such as sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, loss, exposure to violence and neglect. Affecting a child’s stability it can lead to behaviour patterns, thoughts and emotions that continue into adulthood. With help from a Rye psychologist therapist, these can be changed and overcome.
Dealing with childhood trauma when you are an adult
- Set out expectations in relationships – This will help you feel safer in your relationships. It will also help you better communicate the needs you have and what your boundaries are.
- Try to practice being forgiving – This is not just those involved in the trauma but also yourself. It is not about condoning what happened it is more about releasing the anger you have that is just keeping you in a lot of pain.
- Find a Manhattan psychologist therapist – Talking to a trained professional will help you heal. You can learn coping skills and have a safe space in which you can talk about and process the experiences you went through.
- Keep a journal – It is a good way to reflect on things, process emotions and identify things you can be happy about as well as things that trigger you.
- Learn and use grounding techniques – Grounding includes breathing techniques like 5,7,8, muscle relaxation or focusing your senses. It helps to stop you from being overwhelmed as it moves your focus.
- Be kinder to yourself – Think about how you talk to yourself. Would you talk to someone else like that? Or would you encourage them? Try to avoid blaming yourself and acknowledge the process of facing the trauma is hard but you are being brave.
- Look for ways to grow personally – Find and perform hobbies and activities you like and that are meaningful.
- Have a support network to turn to – It is not just the Rye psychologist therapist that can help. Having others in your support network is a great idea. That is not just friends and family, it could include places like support groups.
- Perform more activities of self-care – Make sure you get your haircut, exercise three times a week, try to eat healthy meals more often, have enough rest, do something like Yoga.
- Know your triggers – When you have identified them you can then limit them and develop methods to manage them when it happens.
Conclusion
Working with someone like a Manhattan psychologist therapist will give you a safe and compassionate place where you can look at your childhood trauma and heal from it. You can have someone who is not judging you or your experience, but is just there to help you cope better. With regular sessions, you can lead a happier and healthier life.