How childhood trauma affects adults
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) — including abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, and witnessing violence — have profound effects on adult physical and mental health. The landmark ACE Study found strong dose-response relationships between the number of ACEs and lifetime risk for depression, anxiety, substance use, cardiovascular disease, and more.
Signs of unresolved childhood trauma in adults
- Difficulty regulating emotions — intense reactions that seem disproportionate to present situations
- Relationship patterns — difficulty trusting, fear of abandonment, repetitive unhealthy relationship dynamics
- Chronic shame and self-criticism — deeply held negative beliefs about yourself
- Dissociation — checking out, feeling unreal, memory gaps
- Physical symptoms — chronic pain, fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions, and digestive issues are all associated with high ACE scores
- Substance use — often used unconsciously to manage overwhelming emotions rooted in early trauma
Treatment approaches for childhood trauma
Effective treatments for adult survivors of childhood trauma include EMDR adapted for complex trauma, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Schema Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and trauma-focused CBT. The therapeutic relationship itself is central — working with a consistent, attuned therapist can begin to repair early attachment wounds.
Finding the right therapist
Look for providers who specialize in childhood trauma, developmental trauma, or attachment-focused work. Ask about their approach to working with early trauma and whether they have training in somatic or body-based approaches, which are particularly helpful when trauma is held in the body.