The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Constant Anxiety as an Adult
Childhood trauma often leaves a lasting mark on our emotional and mental well-being. While the experiences may seem like a distant memory, the effects can ripple through every aspect of life, particularly when it comes to anxiety. Many adults struggle with a constant, unexplainable sense of worry or fear, and they often don’t realize how much of it is rooted in early life experiences. Understanding this link is the first step toward healing.
What Is Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma encompasses a wide range of experiences, from overt abuse or neglect to less obvious forms of emotional harm, like feeling unsupported or unseen by caregivers. These events disrupt a child’s sense of safety and security, leaving them in a prolonged state of stress. Over time, this can significantly impact how their brain and body respond to perceived threats, even in adulthood.
Trauma can take many forms, including but not limited to:
Physical or sexual abuse
Emotional neglect
Witnessing domestic violence
Experiencing bullying
Losing a caregiver or family member
Chronic illness or hospitalization
Experiencing emotionally immature parents
What’s important to remember is that trauma isn’t always about the event itself; it’s about how the child perceived and experienced it. Trauma isn’t just about what happened to you; it’s also about what you needed but didn’t receive (what didn’t happen). If a child didn’t have the resources or support to process their experiences, those unprocessed emotions and thoughts can resurface as anxiety later in life.
How Childhood Trauma Shapes the Brain
Childhood trauma can alter the brain’s development, particularly in areas that regulate emotions, memory, and decision-making. Three key regions are often affected:
The Amygdala: This part of the brain acts as the body’s alarm system. Trauma can make the amygdala hypersensitive, leading to a heightened response to stress or perceived threats. Triggers, regardless of how big or small, can feel so overwhelming.
The Hippocampus: Responsible for memory and learning, the hippocampus can shrink in response to chronic stress. This can make it difficult for individuals to differentiate between past and present danger, causing them to react to current situations as if they were reliving the trauma.
The Prefrontal Cortex: This area helps regulate emotional responses and decision-making. Trauma can impair its function, making it harder to manage anxiety or calm down after feeling triggered.
These changes lay the groundwork for constant anxiety, even when there’s no immediate danger. While this may paint a grim picture, it’s important to note that the brain has an incredible ability called neuroplasticity. This is the brain’s capacity to adapt, rewire itself, and form new, healthier connections. Meaning… healing is possible.
What Does Constant Anxiety Look Like?
For adults with childhood trauma, anxiety often manifests in ways that feel all-encompassing and difficult to explain. It feels like it’s just who you are. It may include:
Overthinking and Catastrophizing: Constantly imagining worst-case scenarios or overthinking.
Hypervigilance: Always being on edge, scanning for potential threats in your environment.
Avoidance Behaviors: Steering clear of situations or people that might trigger uncomfortable feelings.
Physical Symptoms: Chronic headaches, muscle tension, gastrointestinal issues, or a racing heart.
Difficulty Relaxing: Feeling restless or uneasy, even during moments that should feel calm.
Fear of Rejection: Worrying excessively about how others perceive you or overanalyzing social interactions.
These symptoms often feel like they’re coming out of nowhere, but they’re deeply rooted in how the body learned to protect itself during childhood.
Why Does Trauma Lead to Anxiety?
When a child experiences trauma, their body enters a fight, flight, or freeze response. This is a survival mechanism designed to protect them from immediate harm. However, when the trauma is prolonged or unhealed, the body gets stuck in this heightened state of alertness. As adults, this can translate into a constant sense of unease, even when there’s no real danger. Your body is always ready to protect you.
Childhood trauma can impact how a person views the world. The world they grew up in was unsafe, unpredictable, and scary- creating a view that the world is inherently dangerous. This belief system can fuel anxiety in adulthood, making it hard to trust others or feel secure.
Breaking the Cycle: Healing from Trauma-Induced Anxiety
While the effects of childhood trauma on anxiety can feel overwhelming, healing is possible. Here are some steps to begin breaking the cycle:
1. Recognize the Connection
The first step is understanding that your anxiety isn’t random or a personal failing—it’s a natural response to early experiences. This awareness can help reduce shame and create space for self-compassion.
2. Seek Professional Support
Therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Internal Family Systems (IFS) can be particularly effective for addressing the root causes of trauma. A trauma-informed therapist can help you process past experiences and develop healthier coping mechanisms. You can schedule a free consultation here.
3. Implement Grounding Techniques
Grounding exercises can help bring you back to the present moment when anxiety takes over. Reach out to brea@bmgtherapy.com to learn about trauma informed grounding techniques.
4. Build a Support Network
Healing can be more accessible with the support of others who understand. This might mean joining a trauma-focused support group or simply leaning on trusted friends and family members.
5. Cultivate Self-Compassion
Many trauma survivors are incredibly hard on themselves, believing they should “just get over it.” Remind yourself that your anxiety is a survival response, not a weakness. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a loved one.
A Path Toward Healing
Living with constant anxiety can feel like an uphill battle. It can feel hopeless and helpless at times because it feels like such a big part of who you are. By recognizing how childhood trauma has shaped your responses and seeking the right support, you can begin to reclaim a sense of calm and control in your life.
If you’re ready to take the next step, therapy can provide a safe space to process your experiences and build tools for navigating anxiety. Whether through individual trauma therapy or courses designed to support your healing, you don’t have to face this journey alone.
Anxiety may feel like it’s a permanent part of who you are AND it’s simply a response to what you’ve been through. With time, understanding, and support, you can find relief and create a life that feels more grounded and fulfilling.
Trauma Therapy with Brea Giancaterino in Denver, Colorado
Healing from childhood trauma can feel daunting. As a trauma therapist with years of experience supporting individuals impacted by childhood trauma, I understand the complexities of this journey.
At my private practice in Denver, I offer a safe, compassionate space where you can explore your past, reconnect with yourself, and create lasting change. I’m here to help you find clarity and peace. Together, we’ll work to unburden the weight of the past and move toward the life you deserve.
If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to hear from you. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation!
Learn more about EMDR therapy (an impactful and effective trauma therapy) here.
