– Childhood Trauma and Abuse is More Prevalent Than Most Believe

Last Updated on May 4, 2023 by Chris Roberts

NASHVILLE INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING CAN HELP US UNDERSTAND PAST TRAUMA

Reference: “The Body Keeps the Score. Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” Dr. Bessel A. Van Der Kolk. 2014. Viking.

Most people understand the concept of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder these days, for which I am incredibly grateful. While the common person may not fully understand the nuances and importance of PTSD, most people have a general idea of how it happens and the seriousness of its effects. However, as a population (including myself), we are still gravely uninformed of the prevalence of childhood trauma and abuse and how those experiences also create PTSD.

In a monumental work by Dr. Bessel A. Van Der Kolk entitled “The Body Keeps the Score,” Dr. Van Der Kolk summarizes a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente. The study interviewed 17,421 people, of which most were “white, middle class, middle-aged, well educated, and financially secure enough to have good medical insurance.”(p. 145)

The study’s results are as follows:

• One out of ten individuals responded yes to the question, “Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often swear at you, insult you, or put you down?”
• More than a quarter responded yes to the questions “Did one of your parents often or very often push, grab, slap, or throw something at you?” and “Did one of your parents often or very often hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?” In other words, more than a quarter of the U.S. population is likely to have been repeatedly physically abused as a child.
• To the questions “Did an adult or person at least 5 years older ever have you touch their body in a sexual way?” and “Did an adult or person at least 5 years older ever attempt oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you?” 28 percent of women and 16 percent of men responded affirmatively.
• One in eight people responded positively to the questions: “As a child, did you witness your mother sometimes, often, or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her?” “As a child, did you witness your mother sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard?”(p. 145)

Dr. Kolk goes on to say, “Each answer was scored as one point, leading to a possible ACE score ranging from ten to zero. For example, a person who experienced frequent verbal abuse, who had an alcoholic mother, and whose parents divorced would have an ACE score of three. Of the two-thirds of respondents who reported an adverse experience, 87 percent scored two or more. One in six of all respondents had an ACE score of four or higher.”(p. 145)

HOW CAN NASHVILLE INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING HELP US UNDERSTAND OUR TRAUMA?

The first step in understanding our trauma is working with a trained professional who knows how to identify its signs. Rarely does childhood trauma express itself in simple, narrated form. Usually, there are actions, or behaviors, or short phrases that indicate there may be more beneath the surface. Just knowing how often and how severe these occasions present themselves can help a therapist be more on the lookout for when these issues might be present.

THIS IS DIFFICULT WORK

If you suspect you may have some childhood abuse or trauma in your past, it is incredibly difficult to speak up. There are so many uncertainties and complications. But the reality is: You will be affected by your childhood trauma whether you acknowledge it or not. We will talk more about this in future articles on trauma and abuse.

REACHING OUT TO NASHVILLE INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING

It’s always tricky to reach out to a therapist, especially when it may deal with the terrifying experiences of trauma and abuse. Chris Roberts is a licensed therapist in Nashville, TN, that works with people who have been abused and traumatized. When you are ready, you can reach out to Chris at chris@nashvillecounselor.net, or (615) 800-9260.