Childhood Trauma
Childhood. A beautiful word that draws up images of innocence, tons of happiness, and lots of curiosity. Childhood is a phase of security. It's a feeling of being protected and loved by your family that gives solid and safe relationships later in life. However, the reality of many children experiences and the effect on the rest of their lives is in stark contrast to this idealized expectation. According to the national institute of mental health, childhood trauma is defined as the "Experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental health and physical effects." Learning how to understand, process, and get along with difficulties, even tragedies is a natural part of a child's development process. But sometimes children get stuck. An experience or repeated experiences may leave a child with an overwhelming sense of fear and loss, making them feel that they have no safety and control over their lives. For ...