Childhoood Trauma Test Free

Childhood Trauma Test Free

Childhood trauma is one of the surest predictors of mental health issues in adulthood. The effects of experiencing trauma in early childhood are profound, as these are the critical years of emotional development. If your childhood experience has resulted in deep-seated trauma, here is an available childhood trauma test free of charge.

Understanding Childhood Trauma

Few experiences can impact a person’s psychological health quite like childhood trauma. The childhood years are the most vulnerable period of someone’s life, therefore any trauma experienced can leave lasting scars.

Some examples of childhood trauma include:

• Sexual abuse
• Physical abuse
• Domestic abuse
• Living through a natural disaster
• A serious car accident
• The sudden death of a parent
• A serious medical illness or injury
• A kidnapping
• A school shooting

Although most children are very resilient, the ability to bounce back after living through a traumatic even varies considerably. Some children have higher executive functioning skills, such as emotion regulation and processing. Some have more highly developed coping techniques. Still others may come from a stable, secure family environment and have the support needed to overcome the trauma.

For those who are not able to overcome a childhood trauma, there can be substantial fallout later in life. These effects show up in adulthood in various ways. Read on to learn how.

9 Signs of Childhood Trauma in Adults

Although decades may have passed since the traumatic situation occurred, the effects in adults of having experienced childhood trauma can be significant. Take a look at the childhood trauma test, free here. 

Here are some of the most common ways that of childhood trauma may surface in adulthood:

1. Victimhood. You continue to live out the sense of victimhood you experienced in childhood in your adult life. You perceive yourself to not be in control over your life, and become a passive victim.
2. Black or white thoughts. You reflexively judge people or situations as good or bad, making snap judgments as a type of protective mechanism.
3. Low self-esteem. You fear being judged by others and may put on a false face to hide your true self from others.
4. Mood swings. Repressed emotions like anger, frustration, and resentment fuel toxic stress that can result in abrupt mood swings.
5. Insecure attachment style. Children who were neglected or abused may have developed an unhealthy attachment style. This can be a barrier to forming or maintaining stable, healthy relationships.
6. Hyper-sensitive to triggers. Your emotional reaction when encountering a person, place, or thing that triggers memories of the trauma is out of proportion.
7. Somatic symptoms. In adulthood you struggle with unexplained chronic headaches, pain, or gastrointestinal problems.
8. Fear of abandonment. Children who were abandoned by a parent often have an intense fear of abandonment in adulthood. This results in clingy or needy behaviors.
9. Controlling. Children who grew up feeling no sense of control over the circumstances in their lives often adapt hyper-controlling behaviors. One such example is exhibiting passive-aggressive behavior.

Psychological Impact of Childhood Trauma in Adulthood

Above we discussed the behavioral symptoms associated with childhood trauma in adulthood, but what about the impact on mental health? There are many ways that childhood trauma can manifest itself. Consider these ways:

• Dissociation. You may have adopted protective mechanisms as a coping tool. An example of this is when feeling overwhelmed or stressed you shut down emotionally, becoming detached and numb.
• Chronic anxiety. People with repressed childhood trauma are at a greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. This may manifest as social anxiety, specific phobia, panic disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder. Children who experience ongoing trauma or a significant traumatic event become overwhelmed and unable to process the trauma. PTSD occurs in adults when they was never able to overcome the childhood trauma.
• Depression. Depression is common in adults with a history of childhood trauma. Unresolved emotional pain leading to a sense of hopelessness, unworthiness, or despair may indicate a depressive disorder.

Trauma-Specific Treatment Methods

Adults who struggle with the effects of childhood trauma may benefit from engaging in trauma-focused therapies. These are designed to reduce the psychological impact of the trauma during the course of therapy.

Examples of trauma-specific therapies include:

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. TFCBT is designed for helping individuals overcome the negative emotions and behaviors that resulted from the childhood trauma.
• Psychodynamic Therapy. This type of therapy delves into childhood experiences while discussing how they relate to current issues in adulthood. The insights gained can help the individual develop a new perspective on those childhood experiences, helping them to overcome them.
• Exposure Therapy. Exposure therapy encourages the patient to discuss the event while gradually exposing them to the triggers within a safe environment. This starts to reduce the impact of the trauma memory.
• Eye Movement Desensitizing Reprocessing. The EMDR therapist asks the patient to use their eyes to follow an object or finger back and forth. This creates an almost hypnotic effect while they discuss the disturbing childhood event.

Residential Treatment for Childhood Trauma

To effectively overcome a childhood trauma that is adversely impacting your adult life, a residential mental health program is recommended. These are intensive programs that allow you to immerse yourself in healing activities over an extended period. Trauma treatment includes:

• Psychotherapy. You’ll meet one-on-one with a therapist to discuss the childhood trauma and the impact it has on your daily life. Therapy will include the trauma-specific therapies outlined above.
• Group therapy. Small discussion groups with others who also struggle with trauma can be helpful during the treatment process.
• Medication. Antidepressants may help mitigate the psychological effects of trauma disorder.
• Holistic. Holistic practices promote relaxation while reducing stress, which can help lessen the effects of trauma.

Mental Health Hope Childhood Trauma Test Free

Mental Health Hope offers free guidance for people who are experiencing the effects of childhood trauma in their daily lives. Our compassionate team will guide you on your path to healing, starting with our childhood trauma test free here. Call us today at (424) 622-6369.