How to Address Childhood Family Trauma as an Adult

Your past is what makes you into the person you are today. That includes both positive and negative experiences. How you were raised, your education, your friends, and the actions and behaviors you picked up from others morphed and shaped you.

If you grew up with family trauma, there’s a good chance that some of that has carried with you, even into adulthood. Both your body and brain have a way of holding onto trauma, even if you may not even realize it. There may even be certain situations from your past that you can’t necessarily remember fully, but they still have a lasting impact on your present.

This is how to address childhood family trauma as an adult.

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

Childhood trauma may come up as an adult because there are unresolved emotions, feelings, and thoughts that you tried to bury when you were younger. Unprocessed trauma always has a way of bubbling back up again. One of the best things you can do is to acknowledge those feelings and allow yourself to feel them. It may seem scary, and it won’t be easy. You’ll never get over the trauma if you keep pushing them away.

2. Take Care of Yourself

While it’s important to take care of yourself at all times, it’s even more important to make sure you’re continuing to take care of yourself during stressful times. Trauma has a way of creeping into your life and changing things like your eating and sleeping habits. Make sure that you’re fueling your body properly by eating healthy and balanced meals during your day and drinking enough water. You should also aim for at least eight hours of sleep each night. Taking care of yourself ensures that your body and brain can function to the best of your ability so you can make it through each day.

3. Manage Your Stress Levels

Practicing mindfulness is a great way to manage your stress levels. Since a lot of your anxiety, stress, and trauma may be coming from your past, it’s important to try to keep yourself grounded and bring yourself back to the present moment. Stress reduction techniques and coping mechanisms are a great way to reduce one’s stress and improve one’s mood naturally. These are just a few of the different ways to manage your stress levels:

• Body scan

• Deep breathing

• Meditation

• Move your body

• Start journaling

• Yoga

4. Lean On Your Loved Ones

Dealing with family trauma from your past can make you feel extremely alone. Even though you may feel alone, it’s common during stressful life events and challenging times to want to self-isolate and withdraw from others. Try avoiding isolation, as it can lead to worsening signs and symptoms. Lean on your loved ones during this time. Let them know what you need from them so they can show up for you however you need them to.

5. Seek Additional Support

If you’re struggling with childhood family trauma as an adult, you’re not alone. A lot of people push away trauma as a child because they don’t know how to deal with it. That being said, you’re not expected to go through this time all on your own. Working with a licensed and trained mental health professional can help you get to the root cause of your trauma and work through any lingering signs and symptoms that you’re struggling with. If you’re unsure of where to start in the healing process, we’re here to help. We’ll work with you to help you reach the path toward healing. Reach out today to set up a consultation.