Trauma that occurs during childhood or adulthood can have life-long effects, especially if it happens chronically.
Trauma is an experience that is life-threatening or emotionally harmful that has negative effects on someone's life and well-being. When most people think of trauma, they think of acute trauma, a one-time stressful event that poses a threat to someone's life. This can be something like surviving a car crash or being a victim of a crime. However, less people know about complex trauma. Complex trauma occurs when someone has repeated exposure to dangerous events that changes the way they see themselves and others. Some examples include child maltreatment (emotional or physical neglect and/or abuse), absence of basic needs, unsafe housing, or repeated threats of violence (NCSTN, n.d.). Families living in poverty are more likely to experience multiple forms of trauma at the same time, putting them at further risk of developing chronic trauma related disorders.
Some signs that a child or adult may be experiencing complex trauma include insecure attachment styles, frequent headaches and stomachaches, unpredictable or explosive emotional expressions, impulsivity, or low self-esteem (NCSTN, n.d.). When complex trauma interferes with a child's ability to safely develop and attach themselves to a caregiver, it leads to developmental trauma. This affects how they feel safe in relationships in the future.