Contrary to the myth that we move past or forget it, trauma experienced in childhood often results in significant physical and mental struggles that persist throughout a person’s life.
The severity of childhood trauma’s effect in adulthood depends on several key factors, such as the individual’s upbringing environment, their coping mechanisms, the availability of support systems, and the developmental stage at which the trauma occurred.
When a person forms survival behaviours in response to trauma early in life, those habits often prove more challenging to modify as an adult.
For Sajjad Hasan (pseudonym), childhood trauma turned into a silent, lifelong burden. When he was only eight, one of his uncles called him over and sexually assaulted him. At that age, he was too young to comprehend what had happened.
But as he grew older, the buried pain began to surface in devastating ways. “My childhood trauma left me with a deep fear of loud noises and a lifelong sense of anxiety. I couldn’t even continue any relationship due to those incidents,” he recalled.
Ratul Siddique, on the other hand, still remembers the day he was bitten by a stray dog when he was ten. Since then, he has been unable to go near any dog.
“My friends often make fun of me for this fear,” he said quietly, “but they don’t know how it feels when your heart starts racing just by seeing one.” His phobia, though seemingly minor to others, is a reminder of how a single frightening event can shape an entire lifetime of behaviour.
Multiple studies, including the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, show that childhood trauma significantly elevates the risk of mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse.
Beyond specific disorders, survivors often struggle with fundamental issues like trust, self-esteem, and emotional control. The basic finding is clear: greater early adversity correlates directly with a higher incidence of long-term health and behavioural problems.
“I was raised by extremely strict parents. Although they are divorced now, I often recall the memories of us as a family,” shares Nawar Zaman, 23, a student. “Daily fights including disturbing accusations, occasional throwing of things at each other, yet timely, quiet dinners every night, these are all I clearly remember.”
The consequences of trauma extend beyond psychological distress. Chronic stress can profoundly disrupt the body’s hormonal balance, leading to compromised immune function and increased risks for physical illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
Nawar continues, “I am not the same woman I used to be. Now, I get easily triggered, I stress-eat, and as a result, I have put on 9 kg in less than two months. And I just feel empty inside all the time. A major part of me thinks all these issues root from what I experienced at home as a child.”
On a brighter note, experts emphasise that healing is possible. In the case of emotional recovery, the earlier treatment begins, the higher the chance of successful outcomes. With the help of therapy, specialised trauma-informed care, and strong social networks, survivors can successfully rebuild their resilience and learn to trust again.
Moinul Islam Mahim, an industrial-organisational psychologist notes, “Besides medical therapy, healing childhood trauma involves self-awareness and reconnecting with the inner child. Self-healing practices, setting boundaries, and cultivating compassion towards oneself also play a vital role in transforming past pain into emotional strength for a balanced life.”
As mental health gains priority in society, recognising the source of emotional pain is vital. While childhood trauma is not a life sentence, understanding its roots and intervening early can determine whether an individual faces a lifetime of silent struggle or one defined by healing and growth.
