What is Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma is persistent and pervasive trauma experienced in childhood. This can be any form of trauma such as emotional, physical or sexual abuse or neglect experienced regularly. Complex trauma is different than a trauma that occurs from one event; It results from a repeated pattern of mistreatment from caregivers and contributes to difficulty forming secure attachments in adulthood. Complex trauma is also referred to as Developmental Trauma is it impacts a child’s healthy development both physically and mentally.
Sometimes people aren’t aware that they experienced complex trauma because their emotional abuse was more covert than overt. Examples of this type of trauma are:
Parentification of a child: Forcing a child into a role of caretaking parents and siblings.
Gaslighting: Denying a child’s reality or making a child feel “crazy” when they ask to have needs met or confront caregivers behavior.
Financial Abuse: Using money to control a child’s behavior through threats and guilt.
Spiritual Abuse: Using religious beliefs to manipulate, scare or control a child.
Common symptoms associated with Complex Trauma:
Pattern of people pleasing to your own detriment
Low self worth
Feeling alone or unsafe often
Physical repercussions from stress such as migraines, body pain, stomach issues, etc.
Difficulty regulating your emotions (either shutting down or exploding when overwhelmed)
Difficulty setting boundaries
Repeated patterns of abusive relationships
Eating disorders, addictions, suicidal thinking, self harm