Childhood trauma doesn’t just affect children; it affects the adults they become. Unresolved childhood trauma impacts a young adult’s mental health, which can then impact their physical health.
Side Effects of Trauma
Many of the adult clients we work with come to us with the after-effects of unresolved trauma. In fact, recent findings suggest that negative effects of trauma can last into, and even past, middle age.
The following are some of the potentially long-lasting effects of trauma experienced in youth:
- A shorter lifespan (according to the CDC)
- Physical health issues include poor immune function and insomnia.
- More negative emotions like guilt, shame, sadness, and anger.
- An increased risk for depression and anxiety.
- An increased risk for substance abuse.
EMDR Therapy for Trauma
Traditionally, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been used to help people of all ages resolve mental health issues. But when it comes to trauma, CBT can and usually does cause the person to relive the trauma all over again.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy has been shown to be a very gentle yet effective way of resolving trauma in young adults. EMDR uses a series of eye movements that help your brain reprocess traumatic events, defusing the emotional impact.
By working with a therapist trained in EMDR who will come up with an individualized treatment plan, people can eventually fade the memories and the traumatic emotions attached to them.
What Can EMDR Help With?
It has been reported that by the age of 16, more than two-thirds of young adults have experienced at least one traumatic event. EMDR can help with the following:
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Witnessing domestic violence
- Natural disasters
- Assault
- Neglect
- Sudden (and often violent) loss of a family member
- Accidents or serious illness
You are Not Your Trauma
Our traumatic events help shape who we become, but they do NOT define us. If you or someone you know is suffering from lingering effects of trauma and would like to explore EMDR therapy, please reach out to our care coordination team.