Is It Ever Too Late To Address Childhood Trauma as an Adult?
Posted: October 30, 2023
The negative effects of childhood trauma can last into adulthood. After all, the ACE Study, which has explored the impact of negative childhood experiences, such as not having enough to eat, being exposed to parental substance abuse, or being a victim of traumas like physical and sexual abuse, has shown that adults who have a history of these negative events are more likely to struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, depression, suicide attempts, poor physical health, and risky sexual behavior.
Some adults with a history of childhood trauma may worry that it’s too late for them to seek treatment. They may feel defeated as if they can do nothing to heal from the trauma. Fortunately, there are a number of effective interventions for treating trauma, and it’s never too late to reach out for help.
What the Research Says About Healing from Childhood Trauma
If you’re asking if it’s too late for you to heal from childhood trauma once you reach adulthood, it’s helpful to understand what the research says about addressing trauma as an adult. A recent research report in The Lancet Psychiatry evaluated the results of 54 different studies with adults experiencing depression symptoms. The results of the evaluated studies revealed the following:- Adults with a history of trauma obtained equal benefit from depression treatment compared to those with no trauma history.
- Pharmacotherapy (medication) and psychotherapy were found to be beneficial for addressing depression in adults with a history of childhood trauma.
- Individuals who experienced trauma as children had more severe depression symptoms when compared to those without a trauma history, but they still experienced equal benefit from treatment.