12 behaviors common in adults who grew up without emotional support
According to a research by the NSPCC involving 2,275 young people aged 11 to 17, one in fifteen children have been subject of emotional abuse in the UK. This is supported by the data from Childline which shows more than 11,000 contacts to the helpline and nearly 5,000 counseling sessions on the topic of emotional abuse in the year 2021-2.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated that 1 and 11 adults aged 18 to 74 had experienced emotional abuse before reaching 16 years of age. It was also determined that the abuse came mainly from the children’s parents.
Members of the mental health community The Mighty have shared personal examples of how emotional abuse in childhood have shaped their adulthood. Many of these experiences are relatable and it’s hard when you see some of them in yourself.
The message, however, is one of hope and serves as a reminder that we are not alone in these struggles and that change is very real and possible.
1. Personality disorders
“[I have] attachment issues, trust issues [and am] paranoid that everyone will leave me. A lot of this is part of my BPD…”
During childhood, the development of the brain goes through crucial stages, and traumatic experiences can have an impact on this process. Studies comparing the brain scans of people who went through trauma during their childhood and those who didn’t and identified lasting differences in those with childhood trauma or emotional abuse. Such differences are often seen in the parts of the brain that regulate impulse control, stress response, and managing emotions. This makes people with childhood trauma more vulnerable to mental health challenges and personality disorders.
2. Mental health issues
“I have major issues with anxiety and depression because of my childhood. The biggest factor is I cannot communicate well and I don’t know how to express my feelings with others because I am so used to just holding them inside because I wasn’t allowed to share how I felt. When tense situations arise, I get nauseous and uncomfortable, [and] my anxiety levels skyrocket…”
Large-scale research found that individuals who have experienced trauma during childhood are more likely to experience mental health struggles later in life, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Research has also found that adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse and neglect, increase the risk of developing substance use disorders, and that individuals who have experienced multiple adversities in childhood are particularly at risk of alcohol and drug problems in later life.
