Childhood trauma can be sickening and coping with it is quite challenging. It is a prime factor in forming anxiety symptoms and disorders in adulthood. Traumas can come in any form, it could be through sexual abuse, domestic violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, abandonment, refugee and war experience and lot more. Experiencing childhood trauma can predispose people to developing anxiety,
panic symptoms and disorders in several ways. It can have a lifelong effect on the child.
Childhood trauma is an happening a child experienced, that threatens the life or bodily integrity. In as much as we try to protect our children and see to their emotional, physical and psychological well being, it is not possible to always be around them. At some point, they might have gone through one or two things that has threatened their existence, confidence or physical safety at your absence. It doesn't even need to happen directly to the child, For instance, watching a loved one suffer can be extremely traumatic as well. In an effort to prevent future traumas, they become hyper-vigilant in looking for warning signs that something bad is going to happen again. Adults dealing with this can struggle in their jobs, interpersonal relationships, and with their own mental health.
Some emotional, physical and behavioral sign to look out for; depression, poor concentration, fatigue, panic attack, self-harm, eating disorder, isolation, anxiety, etc.
You can learn to cope with childhood trauma and anxiety by being patient, knowing that healing will come but, it is a process that will take some time. Get involved in fun activities that will take the mind off any thought that could bring panic. Hang out with friends; this lessens tension. Avoid being alone and see a therapist. The mistake we make is thinking we can do it alone without seeking help, a regular appointment with a therapist will speed up healing.
In essence, a large number of adults have suffered at one point in their life from events that has left them traumatized till date. Most of them haven't healed from it yet, and you can help as a friend when you notice the symptoms, help in any way you can it could be through being around them at every opportunity and also taking them along to activities that will keep them occupied as stated above.