Childhood Traumas &
Developmental Traumas
Developmental traumas occur as a result of being mistreated, neglected, abused, or manipulated as a child. Adults with developmental traumas may suffer from unexplained psychological or neurological disruptions. Approaches such as attachment therapy or narrative therapy, which are offered at MSPWC, have great efficacy in helping individuals process their developmental trauma.
Childhood traumas occur as a result of being mistreated, neglected, abused, or manipulated as a child. Adults with childhood traumas may suffer from unexplained psychological or neurological disruptions. Approaches such as attachment therapy or narrative therapy, which are offered at MSPWC, have great efficacy in helping individuals process their developmental trauma.
Developmental traumas generally arise due to the deceivingly normal childhood experiences of being mistreated or abused continuously or experiences of harsh adversity. This could include experiences of verbal abuse, neglect, manipulation, parental inconsistency, emotional abandonment, and the like.
Unlike traumas such as physical or sexual abuse, developmental traumas, and their devastating impacts, are rarely acknowledged. As young children are dependent on their parents, children in these circumstances cannot escape or control the maltreatment they experience. Children, and later adults, who have suffered from developmental trauma are often left confused by the psychological and neurological disruptions they have experienced in life. Oftentimes, individuals with developmental trauma experience difficulties in relationships and in the ways they relate to themselves and the world around them.
Developmental traumas generally arise due to the deceivingly normal childhood experiences of being mistreated or abused continuously or experiences of harsh adversity. This could include experiences of verbal abuse, neglect, manipulation, parental inconsistency, emotional abandonment, and the like.
Unlike traumas such as physical or sexual abuse, developmental traumas, and their devastating impacts, are rarely acknowledged. As young children are dependent on their parents, children in these circumstances cannot escape or control the maltreatment they experience. Children, and later adults, who have suffered from developmental trauma are often left confused by the psychological and neurological disruptions they have experienced in life. Oftentimes, individuals with developmental trauma experience difficulties in relationships and in the ways they relate to themselves and the world around them.
Some of the signs of experiencing developmental trauma.
- There is a deep sense of shame that usually manifests as “there is something wrong with me”, “I am not good enough”, or “I am bad”.
- There seems to be a lack of foundation or powerlessness which leads to feeling overwhelmed very quickly.
- There are difficulties regulating one’s emotions.
- There are feelings of isolation and difficulty connecting to one’s self and others.
- There is an inexplicable feeling of fear that something bad will happen.
- The individual is always on alert and in a hyper-aroused state.
Treatment Options
Unresolved developmental trauma can absolutely be healed. Therapies like attachment therapy and psychodynamic therapies are particularly useful in working with developmental trauma.
These therapy modalities have a focus on relationships and help adults understand the kind of developmental trauma they experience and the effects of the trauma. Moreover, as clients heal, these therapies also help clients to form new associations with themselves, others, and the world around them.
These therapy modalities have a focus on relationships and help adults understand the kind of developmental trauma they experience and the effects of the trauma. Moreover, as clients heal, these therapies also help clients to form new associations with themselves, others, and the world around them.
