If you're a child of a toxic parent then you have a higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder. Children of abusive parents are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These emotionally violent behaviors can cause depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and feelings of helplessness for the victims and even the whole family system. While physical violence causes bodily injury, emotional or interpersonal violence can cause psychological harm, post-traumatic stress, and mental injury.
Psychological trauma is not always a result of growing up in a toxic family environment, although it can be a contributing factor. A child can experience a car accident resulting in a parent's death which may cause psychological trauma.
Those effects can continue well into adulthood. Here are nine potential effects of toxic parents: Mental health disorders in childhood, such depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Immediate Effects Of Living In A Dysfunctional Family
Development of mental health conditions. Childhood PTSD. Feeling extremely self-critical. Low self-esteem.
Signs of PTSD
Reliving the event over in your mind or nightmares. Becoming upset when there's a reminder of the event. Intense and ongoing fear, sadness, and helplessness. Inability to have positive thoughts.
The Connection Between C-PTSD and a Narcissistic Parent
C-PTSD manifests with signs and symptoms like: Feeling unable to control your emotions. A sense that you are different (in a bad way) from everyone else. Dissociation and detachment.
Some signs of a toxic family include manipulation, criticism, controlling behavior, dismissive behavior, a sense of competition, unreasonable punishment, and unpredictability.
Here are some common signs of toxic behavior from a family member: Their perception of you doesn't jibe with the way you see yourself. They accuse you of things that you feel aren't true. They make you feel like you're never enough or bad about yourself, or otherwise emotionally destabilized.
Child maltreatment, particularly neglect and emotional abuse, can cause long-term, critical impairment to brain development. These alterations can affect a wide variety of functioning in the child, including affecting memory, self-control, and responses to stress.
Parentification is a form of invisible childhood trauma. Parentification occurs when the roles between a child and a parent are reversed. You know you were parentified if as a child you have to step up as the caretaker, mediator, or protector of the family.
Intrusion: Intrusive thoughts, such as reliving a memory of a traumatic experience over and over again, distressing dreams, or flashbacks of the event. Avoidance: Avoiding anything that could remind you of the traumatic event, such as people, places, activities, or situations.
Toxic house syndrome is a condition inside the home where a buildup of chemicals, toxins, bacteria, and other harmful pollutants exist in the air supply. Because they are trapped inside the home, they continue to impact a person's health.
If you or a loved one has just gone through a breakup with a narcissist, watch out for these signs of PTSD: Episodes of panic and fear that come out of nowhere. Extreme reactions—physical or emotional—to traumatic reminders. Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Restlessness & Feeling “On Edge”
The emotional and psychological manipulation characteristic of narcissistic abuse affects a person long after the relationship has ended, and symptoms of PTSD often include constant uneasiness, nervousness, or hyperalert.
Women with PTSD may be more likely than men with PTSD to: Be easily startled. Have more trouble feeling emotions or feel numb. Avoid things that remind them of the trauma.
Most unresolved childhood trauma affects self-esteem and creates anxiety. Did you suffer a serious childhood illness? If so, you were likely isolated at home or hospitalized. This meant being removed from normal social activities and you probably felt lonely, maybe even worried about being different.