A child that feels threatened by an event can become traumatic. Some children can adjust as they grow. For others, these events shape up their future. They end up developing traumatic stress disorders that they carry into adulthood. Childhood trauma and mental health have a close relation. These traumas pose a threat to the proper psychological development of a person. They can also make the child develop into an adult with behavioral problems. Childhood traumas also increase the likelihood of the child succumbing to substance use later on in life. Understanding the interplay between childhood trauma and mental health will enable you to give the best care for the victims. At Atlanta Center for Mental Health, our mental health treatment center can help you overcome trauma and live a happier life.
Childhood Trauma and Mental Health
Exposing a child to stressful events can alter their hormonal composition. But this is not the case for every child. It depends on the impact of these events and the duration of exposure. Children who develop mental illnesses from trauma may find it hard to cope with stressful events in the future. They can develop anxiety disorders or aggressive behavior quite easily. This can be partly due to changes in the oxytocin hormone.
Our brains produce oxytocin hormone naturally. The hormone is responsible for helping us form bonds with people. People who grow up in a loving environment develop normal production of this hormone. Traumas reduce the production of this hormone by the brain. The reduction over a long period induces behavioral changes.
Reduction in the oxytocin levels weakens the body’s ability to cope with stress. That is why the likelihood of falling into drug dependence to cope with stress can be higher in adults with past childhood traumas.
Signs of Trauma in Children
Children cannot tell whether they are victims of trauma or not. It is the responsibility of grown-ups to look for signs in the child. Knowing these signs will go a long way in dealing with childhood trauma and mental health issues through individual therapy programs.
The signs are:
- Sleep disturbances: Biologically, children sleep a lot. This is good for their proper growth and development. If a child is having erratic sleep patterns or trouble sleeping, they may be victims of trauma
- Social problems: Traumas can affect how a child relates to their peers. They may be overly aggressive or too passive during playtimes
- Irritability: Children are bubbly unless something is bothering them. They can identify what’s bothering them if you ask them. But for trauma cases, the child becomes irritated for no reason. They can’t genuinely tell why they are like that
- Dissociation: Trauma can make the child lose a lot of interest in activities. They may prefer to daydream instead of active participation in play activities
- Clinginess: Because of the fear trauma creates, children find it hard to be by themselves. They are in constant need of someone who gives them that sense of security. Without this person around, they find it hard to cope
Treatment at Atlanta Center for Mental Health
Atlanta Center for Mental Health boasts of residential mental health treatment plans that can help you deal with childhood trauma and mental health issues.
Some of these treatment programs include
- Dual diagnosis treatment: The diagnosis will reveal any mental disorders that arose from past traumas. You can then get treatment for the trauma and these other disorders
- Alumni treatment program: Here, you have a group of people at your disposal with experiences similar to yours. These individuals give you strength and belief to overcome your predicament
- Anxiety treatment program: This an inpatient plan that gives you comprehensive care and treatment to help you overcome anxiety
- Depression treatment program: Our depression treatment program involves medication and dual diagnosis for those whose depression is accompanied by a substance abuse disorder
Visit Atlanta Center for Mental Health Today
There is certainly a relationship between childhood trauma and mental health. Don’t let trauma lead to a mental health disorder for you or your loved one. There are treatment options to help you deal with these conditions. Call Atlanta Center for Mental Health today at 833.625.0458. We will free you from past traumatic experiences and help you realize your full potential.
