Don't Let Childhood Traumas Determine Your Destiny

Difficult living conditions and increased stress levels can sometimes confront individuals with situations they cannot cope with. Especially the effects of traumas experienced during childhood can be deep and long-lasting. So, do these traumas, which have consequences that can affect an individual's entire life, have to be our fate?

Altınbaş University Psychology Department APAM Center Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Dilek Şirvanlı Özen says that it is not impossible to solve these problems, which are usually long-term.

Prof. Dr. Dilek Şirvanlı Özen said, "Do not let childhood traumas determine your fate by understanding the causes of trauma, observing the symptoms and getting professional help when necessary," and made important suggestions.

Pointing out that recovering from childhood traumas varies from individual to individual, Prof. Dr. Özen explained what to do for a healthy recovery process as follows

"Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet can contribute to improved physical and emotional health. Similarly, artistic and creative activities that encourage emotional expression such as painting and listening to music also contribute to emotional healing processes. It is very important that both parents and children are educated about trauma. Education raises their awareness of the issue, which plays an important role in the healing process."

Referring to the benefits of participating in family therapy in order to strengthen and support the relationships between family members, Özen said, "The emotional support of the child from loved ones such as family and friends, their understanding of the child's emotional world and their empathy for the child can cause the child to express himself better and support the emotional healing process."

Prof. Dr. Özen also gave information about the most common childhood traumas. Accordingly, the most common cause of trauma is neglect and/or abuse during childhood. Prof. Özen said, "Failure to provide adequate care to the child, emotional neglect, sexual or physical abuse cause severe trauma. Domestic violence is another important factor. Physical, emotional or sexual violence between parents affects the child very much. Similarly, divorce or separation of parents is also a traumatizing factor."

Ozen listed other important factors as follows:

Losses or separations: The loss of an important person in the child's life, such as a parent, or their absence from the child's life

Economic problems: Failure to meet the basic needs of the child due to economic problems experienced by the family

Illness The child or a family member has a serious and prolonged health problem.

Migration Migration of the family to a different place

Natural disasters: Natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires, floods

Prof. Dr. Özen underlined that experiencing such situations causes emotional difficulties, insecurity, anxiety, adaptation difficulties and stress in the child; "However, it should not be forgotten that every child is different and unique, so the same events may cause different reactions in different children."

Özen also said that the effects of traumas experienced during childhood may vary depending on the age, developmental level, personal characteristics and support system of the child. Pointing out that traumatic events experienced especially in certain age periods may have different effects within the framework of the characteristics of children specific to that period, Prof. Dr. Özen listed the consequences of trauma according to age groups as follows

Infancy period (0-2 years): While parental separation may cause the individual to experience security and attachment problems in later life, neglect experienced during this period may negatively affect the emotional and physical development of infants.

Preschool period: (3-6 years): Domestic violence can lead to emotional and behavioral problems in children, while sexual abuse during this period can harm the individual's personality development and sense of trust.

School period (7-12 years): School bullying can affect a child's social relationships and cause self-esteem problems. Again, family conflicts experienced during this period can negatively affect children's emotional balance.

Adolescence (13-18 years): While sexual violence may complicate the process of identity formation of the young person, possible traumatic events that may occur during this period may negatively affect the young person's efforts to become an independent individual.

Prof. Dr. Özen explained that traumatic experiences children go through negatively affect their emotional, social, cognitive and physical development and that these effects can be seen in a number of areas from childhood to adulthood. He explained that these traumas experienced in childhood have many repercussions in later years, from establishing relationships to immune problems, confidence and self-esteem problems:

• It can cause emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder,
• Trust issues can lead to relationship problems , such as attachment problems and relationship difficulties. Children may have problems forming secure relationships in their adult lives,
• It can lead to behavioral problems such as aggression, rebellion, attention deficit and hyperactivity,
• Chronic pain can cause physical health problems such as immune system problems,
• It can affect children's confidence and self-esteem, which can lead to difficulties in achievement, ability and belief in their own worth in adulthood,
• It can make it difficult for the child to adapt to the society in which they live, which can lead to adaptation problems such as academic failure, social isolation and indiscipline.