1. Overcoming Childhood Trauma in Recovery
February 1, 2013
| Last Updated on Friday, 03 May, 2013 16:45
Trauma and abuse both leave scars on a person, some physical, some mental or emotional. For the
victims of these things, trusting the people around them is difficult. Often they are made uncomfortable
by physical contact or being surrounded by large groups of people. Something as simple and brief as a
handshake can become worthy of panic after a person has been victimized. Things that may not phase
another person can become insurmountable obstacles to the traumatized or abused person.
Interacting
Learning how to trust and interact with the people around them can be incredibly difficult for the
victim of the trauma or abuse, but it is essential that they do so. If they do not relearn how to interact
with and trust the people around them, they risk becoming a shut-in. The people around them need to
know that whatever happened to the person has affected that person’s entire being. All of who they are
has been affected.
The person may not feel safe anymore. They may not be able to eat certain foods because the texture
or scent may trigger a response. Being myself a shut-in, I can confidently say that not everyone can
handle it. Not every person can handle the isolation or the self reliance.
Isolated Trauma
Many of the people who become isolated due to trauma will worsen and become progressively more
cut off, which can lead to some very abnormal beliefs and behaviors. I exhibit some abnormal
symptoms, but I can still function in the outside world and handle being around some people.
A common symptom is the Anthropomorphizing of objects and animals. The affected will begin to talk
to and have conversations with objects and animals and will develop ways of interpreting things as
responses. Most people do this to a degree, but with a traumatized shut-in who isn’t able to handle the
isolation, it can reach extreme levels.
Another response to trauma can be Anhedonia. Anhedonia is a lack of pleasure. All the things you
enjoyed before no longer bring you and pleasure or joy. This creates a lack of interest in life and daily
activities that once seemed important or fun, now hold no meaning for the person. This often leads to
depression and if left untreated can worsen to the point where suicide seems preferable to living.
Anhedonia is a serious condition and may be a result of drug addiction or trauma and requires
treatment.
Lifescape Solutions Offers
There are many different methods for treating trauma. Hypnosis, E.M.D.R., Neuro-Linguistic
Programming, traditional therapies, support groups, and countless others. Lifescape Solutions has
people trained in the various therapies used to treat trauma and addiction and offers several programs of
treatment and counseling in different areas.
We offer these in conjunction with both one-on-one therapy and group therapy programs. Using these
methods we can help you overcome your traumatic experience and the associations it created in your

2. life. Remember, trauma doesn’t only affect the person it was inflicted on, it affects everyone they
interact with. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, all of them are affected.