A trigger is some aspect of a traumatic event that occurs in a completely different situation but reminds the child of the original event. Examples may be sounds, smells, feelings, places, postures, tones of voice, or even emotions.
The range of potential childhood trauma triggers is vast. Things known to serve as triggers for many teens and adults include: Specific smells, sounds, sights, tastes, or forms of touch. Particular places or people.
A trauma trigger is a stimulus that causes memories or reactions to severe or sustained trauma. For example: You get a tight feeling in your chest every time you drive past the place where you had a car accident. Your palms sweat and your cheeks flush when a certain person touches you.
Some of the symptoms of trauma in children (and adults) closely mimic depression, including too much or too little sleep, loss of appetite or overeating, unexplained irritability and anger, and problems focusing on projects, school work, and conversation.
Adults may display sleep problems, increased agitation, hypervigilance, isolation or withdrawal, and increased use of alcohol or drugs. Older adults may exhibit increased withdrawal and isolation, reluctance to leave home, worsening of chronic illnesses, confusion, depression, and fear (DeWolfe & Nordboe, 2000b).
Symptoms and Behaviors
Young children suffering from traumatic stress symptoms generally have difficulty regulating their behaviors and emotions. They may be clingy and fearful of new situations, easily frightened, difficult to console, and/or aggressive and impulsive.
It's also known as intergenerational trauma. Trauma can be passed on to future generations through how a parent interacts with their children, the behaviors and patterns children see their parents engaging in, or even through genetics or DNA.
“Five are personal — physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect,” according to ACESTooHigh News.
While most adults know that teasing or bullying can trigger a behavior issue, many are not aware that some children also respond negatively to unwanted praise. Other common behavior triggers include overstimulation (bright lights, loud noises, etc.), transitions and having to interact with someone they don't like.
The process of connecting a traumatic experience to a trauma trigger is called traumatic coupling. When trauma is "triggered", the involuntary response goes far beyond feeling uncomfortable and can feel overwhelming and uncontrollable, such as a panic attack, a flashback, or a strong impulse to flee to a safe place.
Studies show that babies can recall traumatic events, particularly those that occur during the first year of life. While they may not remember the exact details of what happened, they can retain a feeling of the experience, shaping their behavior and responses later.
Examples of emotional neglect may include: lack of emotional support during difficult times or illness. withholding or not showing affection, even when requested. exposure to domestic violence and other types of abuse.
Childhood trauma in adults also results in feeling disconnected, and being unable to relate to others. Studies have shown that adults that experience childhood trauma were more likely to struggle with controlling emotions, and had heightened anxiety, depression, and anger.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Children and adolescents with PTSD have symptoms such as persistent, frightening thoughts and memories or flashbacks of a traumatic event or events.
Focus Area. Trauma and adversity in childhood raise the risk of numerous health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and mental illness in adulthood.
Growing up with toxic parents can affect your physical and mental health, putting you at risk for substance use, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. Setting healthy boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and getting support from family, friends, or a therapist are ways to cope with a toxic childhood.
Both negative and positive parenting were significantly associated with child PTSD.
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).
For people living with the effects of childhood trauma, “avoidance” can be a strategy to control CPTSD triggers by keeping oneself alone and isolated. “Covert avoidance” is my term for a secret kind of avoidance — living life as if you are engaged with it, but hiding from it.
Disruptive behavioural problems such as temper tantrums, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional, defiant or conduct disorders are the commonest behavioural problems in preschool and school age children.