Just Read This...

[Abstract]

What I find particularly fascinating is why one person gets one thing and another something else and from similar experiences. ButI won't go too much into that as it's off topic for you. ?

All sorts of trauma in childhood and deficits potentially create much trouble later on for us. Its ironic as I find I understand it more fully as I heal. Reading up about resilience is really interesting. Glad the article has helped clarify things for you.

 

[EveHarrington]

Think of it this way.

Childhood trauma makes cracks in your foundation. Any type of childhood trauma.

Adult trauma doesn't do this because the foundation has already been properly laid-----the adult can show more resilience.

 

[anthony]

Adult trauma doesn't do this because the foundation has already been properly laid

I will disagree with you about this. In actual fact, based on resilience studies, children have far better resilience than adults. It is often in adulthood where trauma happens, and foundations crack. It doesn't matter whether your a child or adult, the same underlying foundation cracks. There are always caveats to either side, but that is the majority based on studied result data.

Example, for many CSA trauma, the child moves through childhood and into adulthood, fairly normal. There may be behavioural aspects as a result, absolutely. Otherwise, a functional adult. Something happens in adulthood, resilience is not as good as childhood, suddenly a crack is formed, then all the memories of previous trauma add weight, further cracking the foundation, and an adult suddenly crumbles.

Their foundation was solid, but once a crack formed in adulthood, the additional weight caused more, opening every wound.

It happens so readily even in adulthood after healing. Endure another trauma, and people will tell you how everything is now a problem again, even though they healed it and moved on with life. The brain is tricky, and PTSD trickier. PTSD will literally attempt to use every weapon at its disposal against you once resilience collapses again. Your foundation can be solid for years, decades, then it grabs hold of a recent event, grabs everything in your past and throws it back at you, even though you already dealt with it all prior.

PTSD will make you feel back at square one, even though you aren't.

 

[Gs172003]

I will disagree with you about this. In actual fact, based on resilience studies, children have far better...

Aha!!! This is where I'm confused.

I've heard what Eve had said alot on here which is why what I read suprised me. That's why I posted it. Thanks

 

[Gs172003]

I will disagree with you about this. In actual fact, based on resilience studies, children have far better...

By the way... ( hijacking my own thread..) How are you doing Anthony?

 

[Sandstone]

I think Eve and Anthony were saying slightly different things. As I read them, Anthony is saying that a child with trauma may be resilient enough to get though into a fairly normal adulthood, but a new trauma in adulthood becomes too much, while Eve was suggesting that an adult who hasn't had childhood trauma is more likely to be resilient when facing trauma for the first time.

Going back to the passages @Zoogal originally quoted, they seem to say that those with childhood traumas are more likely to develop PTSD, and to have the most complicated and severe cases of PTSD.

I agree with the first idea, for two reasons. If there is only so much we can stand before we tip over in to PTSD, then starting early allows more time for it to build up to our personal tipping point. If our childhoods were such that we were likely to be exposed to traumas, then they are also likely to have been such that we weren't supported in dealing with those traumas (that probably only applies in First World peacetime. In wars or famines, children face horrible trauma regardless of the degree of background support)

I'm not sure about the idea that the severity of PTSD can link back like that though. I don't know how the authors measure severity or complexity. I'm inclined to think that it isn't related to age of trauma, or to type of trauma, but to a mixture of innate personality and physiology combined with how quickly people get useful and effective support.

 

[anthony]

As I read them, Anthony is saying that a child with trauma may be resilient enough to get though into a fairly normal adulthood, but a new trauma in adulthood becomes too much, while Eve was suggesting that an adult who hasn't had childhood trauma is more likely to be resilient when facing trauma for the first time.

No, not what I'm saying.

Study data is quite conclusive on resilience, period. Children are far superior for resilience, facing their first trauma, subsequent trauma, moving beyond trauma, than an adult.

Adults are nowhere close to the resilience of children.

I don't know how the authors measure severity or complexity. I'm inclined to think that it isn't related to age of trauma, or to type of trauma, but to a mixture of innate personality and physiology combined with how quickly people get useful and effective support.

From my reading, they say that based on the statistical outcome to date.

I do agree though, that beyond statistics themselves, severity itself is complex and there are many factors. Prior traumatic exposure however, does tend to lean upon severity, however, back to statistics and not a broad brush all approach, as not all are affected severely in adulthood when exposed to more trauma.

There are people who show signs of PTSD at times, live a life full of trauma, yet never develop PTSD. Statistics though, they are the minority and not the majority.

 

[Gs172003]

I personally believe the severity depends on the person not the age at onset. But that's just an opinion.

 

[EveHarrington]

I said what I did based on what I was told by top trauma professionals.

I am sorry that people disagree so I deleted the post.

 

[Gs172003]

I said what I did based on what I was told by top trauma professionals.

I am sorry that people...

There's nothing for you to be sorry for Eve

 

[anthony]

I am sorry that people disagree so I deleted the post.

I undeleted it, as it has relevance to the discussion. You seriously need to lighten up with communication and discussion.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

This is super intresting!

Does the child's resilience change the longer the child has a trauma?

I guess I am wondering why I didn't "bounce back" as children are known to do. My trauma was from 6 to 19. But I don't know if that would be considered multiple traumas or one trauma?

ETA: Nevermind, I guess that answered under severity I suppose.

Sorry if I went off topic.