Consequences of early traumatic experience

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences are traumatic experiences that cause overwhelming stress and have long-term negative consequences on mental and physical health. A child may be forced to witness domestic violence, which has long-term negative consequences for the child, even though the child has never been attacked in any form. The lack of knowledge in medical staff about caring for traumatized people can affect reactions and the ability to help people who survived adverse childhood experiences. There should be understanding of what a person has gone through. With the broader picture, a door opens to discernment the behaviours, fears, defense mechanisms and stress coping mechanisms. It is the way medical staff gains improved knowledge about a patient, better communication and trust. Social and emotional connections are an integral part of our biological functioning. Some of the consequences of adverse childhood expirience are: poor general health, frequent somatic complaints, depression, severe anxiety, suicide, antisocial and violent behavior, delinquency, substance use, academic and professional difficulties, feelings of isolation and transgenerational trauma transmission.