What Are Some Known Causes Of Early Trauma?

All of us have experienced some degree of stress or trauma in our early life. Some is medically necessary. The long-term impact is in proportion to the severity and length of the trauma as well as the degree the trauma interferes with the child connecting with its mother and father. Any event is less traumatic if accompanied by loving support and connection.

  • Unwelcoming or fearful feelings at discovery of pregnancy

  • Stressful or abusive relationship between parents during pregnancy or after birth

  • Maternal stress, fear or depression during pregnancy or infancy

  • Child was not wanted for some part of pregnancy

  • Considered or attempted abortion

  • Biochemical stresses during pregnancy from nicotine, alcohol, pesticides, etc.

  • Twin lost during pregnancy including early pregnancy or during birth

  • Chemical induction of labor

  • Fetal monitors that are screwed into fetus’ skull

  • Premature birth

  • NICU experience with all accompanying medical interventions

  • Unusually long or unusually fast labor.

  • Being stuck during labor

  • Cord tightly wrapped around the neck

  • Near death experience or deprivation of oxygen

  • Medical interventions such as C-section, forceps, vacuum extraction

  • Anesthesia which breaks the contact between mom and baby

  • Separation from the mother after birth or for extended periods during infancy

  • Painful medical interventions such as heal sticks, spinal taps, etc.

  • Maternal postpartum depression or strong anxiety

  • Being given up for adoption

  • Death in the family

  • Unresolved traumatic history in parents or ancestors, such as early abuse, loss of a parent, traumatic birth, or being given up for adoption

  • Hospitalization or surgery as an infant, including circumcision

  • Any particularly painful accident, injury or illness

What Are Some Of The Signs Babies Exhibit After Experiencing Trauma?

  • Glossed-over eyes

  • Cross-eyes or divergent eyes

  • Total or partial inability to orient when confronted by new surroundings

  • Too little tone or too much tension in their muscles

  • Startle response to sound or movement

  • Jerky arms, legs and head

  • Involuntary shaking or tremors

  • Constant, weak, or “absent” crying

  • High-pitched crying sounds

  • Inconsolable crying and crying without apparent cause

  • Hypersensitivity to near or direct touch

  • Desire to not be held

  • Falling asleep when over-stimulated

  • Inability to grasp

  • Nursing/feeding difficulties

  • Arching

  • Splaying hands

  • Excessive hiccups

  • Frequent gagging

  • Avoidance of eye-contact

What Are Some Of The Signs Older Children Exhibit After Experiencing Trauma?

  • Hyperactivity

  • Coordination and balance problems

  • Gait problems

  • Toilet training challenges

  • Speech delays

  • Learning disabilities

  • Tantrums

  • Inappropriate aggression/timidity

  • Depression

  • Nightmares

  • Response out of proportion to stimulus

  • Inability to make eye contact

  • Inability to ask for help

  • Rage toward parent(s) or others

  • Hypersensitivity

  • Health challenges like asthma and seizures

  • Harmful behavior towards siblings

  • Tactile defensiveness (desire to not be touched)

What Are Common Parental Responses To A Child’s Early Trauma?

When a baby or child is less available for bonding and attachment due to early trauma, the baby or child may not respond as expected to parental attempts to soothe, comfort, connect. This can affect the parents’ responses. Some parental responses include:

  • Overwhelm

  • Shame/Guilt

  • Exhaustion

  • Sleeplessness

  • Anxiety

  • Stress

  • Helplessness

  • Anger

  • Frustration

  • Post-partum depression or anxiety

  • Numbness

  • Conflict between parents

  • Difficulty asking for support

What Are Common Signs In Adults Of Early Trauma?

All of us have experienced early stress or trauma to one degree or another. Unresolved early trauma can significantly interfere with current daily life. As more recent traumatic events occur, they layer on top of our earliest imprinting. In fact, our ability to recover from traumatic events as older children and adults is dependent on our resilience or lack of it due our earliest traumatic imprinting. Teens and adults can manifest any the signs listed under children plus:

  • Difficulty in forming and maintaining a healthy primary relationship with a partner

  • Aggression manifested as acting out, destructive or criminal behavior
    Excessive timidity in everyday life

  • Inappropriate flight or fight response to non-threatening circumstances

  • Difficulty mobilizing effectively in the face of real aggression or danger

  • Difficulty in setting healthy limits and boundaries, saying ‘no’ when appropriate

  • Merging inappropriately with others to one’s own detriment

  • Difficulty in responding empathetically to others

  • Confusion, difficulty making decisions, including areas of identity and moving into adulthood

  • Self-destructive behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse, physical mutilation, over or under eating, or sabotaging positive opportunities or relationships

  • Excessive risk taking, dangerous driving, disregarding the safety of others

  • Failing to take responsibility for one’s actions, blaming others

  • Difficulty setting appropriate goals and working toward them

  • Difficulty in foreseeing the consequences of one’s actions.

  • Consistent difficulty with some aspect of a task: intention, preparation, action, follow through or integration.

  • Difficulty holding a job or establishing oneself in a satisfying career

  • Inability to successfully establish oneself in the world as an independent adult

  • Difficulties in parenting, abusive or neglectful behavior towards children

  • Difficulty in establishing an effective support system of family, friends, teachers, mentors, and/or professional