Types of Abuse and Their Effects : An Infographic

The infographic below illustrates different types of child abuse together with some of the effects of such abuse :   CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – An Infographic

At the heart of research into the effects of childhood trauma is the study of how ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACEs) impact on mental health. As would be expected, the more ACEs, and the more serious they are, the greater the damage is to the individual’s psychological well-being and the more likely that same individual will […]

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Childhood Trauma: The Link with Alcoholism.

When childhood trauma remains unresolved (ie. it has not yet been worked through and processed with the help of psychotherapy), alcoholism may result (together, frequently, with aggressive behaviour). Indeed, it has been suggested that unresolved traumatic events are actually the MAIN CAUSE of alcoholism in later life. The trauma may have its roots in: – […]

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Childhood Trauma: The Link with Future Violence. Part Two.

It is possible that even just one, short-lived, traumatic event experienced in childhood, particularly in very early childhood, can prove so overwhelming that it leads to intense emotional suffering. Much research has been conducted upon this, and, to use just one example, a study by Pincus has demonstrated that just about all violent adult criminals have, […]

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Childhood Trauma: The Link with Future Violence. Part One.

A research study (Fonagy et al., 1997) showed that 90% of young offenders had suffered significant childhood trauma, including both abuse and loss (eg. of a parent through divorce). Neglect in childhood was also a very significant factor in greatly increasing the risk of later violent offending. Violent offending following such trauma is sometimes referred to […]

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The Association Between Childhood Trauma and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

Many research studies have shown that individuals who have suffered childhood trauma and neglect frequently develop BPD as adults. WHAT IS BPD? BPD sufferers experience a range of symptoms which are split into 9 categories. These are: 1) Extreme swings in emotions 2) Explosive anger 3) Intense fear of rejection/abandoment sometimes leading to frantic efforts to maintain a […]

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Childhood Trauma and Self-Harm : How it can be Addressed.

Three key elements to reducing our risk of harming ourselves are: 1) distracting our thoughts away from self-harm 2) reducing the intensity of our emotional arousal to levels which we are able to manage 3) dealing with internal critical ‘voices’ (ie thought processes). However, as self-harming is often deeply ingrained, we cannot expect instantaneous results. […]

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Childhood Trauma and Self-harm. Part 1.

Many research studies (eg Arnold, 1995) have demonstrated a link between having been abused as a child and self-harm. In one study,84% of individuals who self-harmed reported that childhood trauma had contributed to their condition. WHAT IS SELF-HARM? The following are examples: -skin cutting -skin burning -compulsive skin picking -self-hitting -self-biting -hair pulling -interfering with […]

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Childhood Trauma: The Statistics

The following statistics relate to the UK. However, it should be pointed out that childhood trauma and abuse tends to be under-reported and under-recorded so the figures presented should only be taken as a guide. The statistics were gained by interviews with a large sample of young adults. – a quarter of young adults were […]

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The Effect of Childhood Trauma on Genes and Susceptibility to Depression.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON DNA. Recent studies have shown that childhood trauma can actually change the structure of DNA in the person who has suffered it and consequently alter how these genes work (it has been known for some time that how genes express themselves is influenced by their interaction with the environment). Animal studies support this […]

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How Neurological Problems Relating to Childhood Trauma can be Addressed.

As I said in my previous post, neurological problems resulting from childhood trauma can be reversed, and it is to the research into this exciting and fast developing area of study that I now turn. Studies have shown that because SEROTONIN (a chemical, also known as a neurotransmitter, in the brain) can become depleted by childhood […]

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Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy: Challenging Our Negative Thoughts.

When we have negative thoughts, it is important to ask ourselves: ‘What is the evidence to support this negative thought/belief?’ OFTEN, WILL WILL FIND THERE IS VERY LITTLE OR AT LEAST NOT THE COMPELLING EVIDENCE WE’D ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED. It is important for us to get into the habit of challenging negative thoughts in this way […]

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How Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can Aid Recovery from Childhood Trauma.

WHAT IS CBT? Put simply, CBT works on the basic observation that: 1) how we think about things and interpret events affects how we feel 2) how we behave affects how we feel therefore: 3) by changing how we think about things, interpret events and behave will CHANGE HOW WE FEEL. I have over-simplified here […]

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Childhood Trauma: Coming to Terms with what We have Lost.

Many who suffered childhood trauma grow up feeling that there childhood has been ‘stolen’ from them. They may have grown up feeling worthless and uniquely unloveable, lacking, too, in feelings of safety and security. They may also grow up with a lack of confidence and find it extremely difficult to trust anyone or to believe […]

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Overcoming Relationship Difficulties Caused by Childhood Trauma

It has already been stated that as survivors of childhood trauma we often find it very difficult to trust others. We may avoid close relationships in order to avoid the possibility of being hurt. Whilst this can allow us to feel safe from harm, it can also lead to extreme loneliness. Research shows that without good […]

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Coping Mechanisms for Survivors of Childhood Trauma

In my last post I mentioned it might be useful to look at some coping mechanisms one may wish to make use of in the recovery stage from childhood trauma and it is to some of these that I now turn. There are two main types of coping mechanisms: 1) Those which are helpful in […]

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Childhood Trauma: An Analysis of Blame.

When we are children, if someone treats us badly, we attempt to understand why. But in trying to understand, the child’s logic is very often flawed and s/he falsely deduces s/he is to blame for it. The child’s flawed logic may flow similarly to this: ‘Someone is hurting me…punishment only happens to bad children…that means […]

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How Childhood Trauma can Affect View of Self. Part 2.

DEVELOPMENT OF BELIEF SYSTEMS IN CHILDHOOD: We develop our most fundamental belief systems in childhood. If a child is brought up with love, affection and security s/he tends to build up positive beliefs. For example: – people should not treat me badly – I am a decent and likeable person – I have rights – […]

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How Childhood Trauma can Affect View of Self. Part 1.

Our ENVIRONMENT has a large influence on how our personalities develop. For example, children brought up in a loving and secure environment are much more likely to become relatively content and self-confident adults. On the other hand, a child who has suffered abuse and neglect may develop into an adult lacking self-confidence and prone to […]

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Childhood Trauma: Recovery.

Research shows those who suffer childhood trauma CAN and DO recover. Making significant changes in life can be a very daunting prospect, but those who do it in order to aid their own recovery very often find the hard work most rewarding. Some people find making the necessary changes difficult, whereas others find it enjoyable. THE […]

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Childhood Trauma Recovery. A Warm Welcome From David Hosier MSc.

February 05

‘The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heav’n of hell, a hell of heav’n.’ -John Milton, Paradise Lost (1667),  Book 1, lines 254-255 The articles on this site are intended to serve as an accessible, informative, concise introduction to childhood trauma and child abuse and their relationship to post traumatic stress disorder […]

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