Child Abuse Prevention Month: Healing As An Adult Survivor

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Since 1983, this recurring event has sought to raise awareness for and prevent childhood abuse. Child abuse can come in different forms, and the impacts of this abuse can be long-lasting for adult survivors. Although these topics can be challenging to discuss, it can be crucial to know hope and healing are possible this April and year-round.

What is child abuse? 

For National Child Abuse Prevention Month, knowing what child abuse is and how it can look is essential. Among reports of child abuse in the United States, 65% indicate neglect, 18% physical abuse, 10% sexual abuse, and 7% psychological abuse. Child abuse is any form of harm inflicted on children by caregivers, teachers, parents, and other people in positions of power.

Child abuse can have lasting impacts on adult survivors. Research indicates that one-third of adult-onset psychiatric disorders are related to trauma that occurred in childhood.

Long-term effects of child abuse on adult survivors

All areas of health are connected, including mental and physical health. For this reason, the following are potential long-term impacts of child abuse on adult survivors. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most discussed potential impacts of experiencing a traumatic event. Though not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, it is a common mental health condition. One in seven children experience trauma of some form, which is a common cause of this condition. In addition, women are two to three times more likely to develop PTSD. 

Suicidal ideation

A significant body of research has found a link between suicidal thoughts and attempts and child abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.

Physical health conditions

Physical health conditions can sometimes stem from childhood trauma, including child abuse. Those who have survived childhood trauma are statistically more likely to experience chronic pain, diabetes, liver disease, lung disease, cardiovascular disorders, and gastrointestinal distress or disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, those who experienced physical or sexual abuse as a child are twice as likely to experience ulcerative colitis.

Anxiety and depressive disorders

Anxiety disorders and depression can be more likely in those who have experienced child abuse. In addition, anxiety and depression are often symptoms of conditions like PTSD. 

Eating disorders

Child abuse can put people at a higher risk of eating disorders. One study found that participants who had experienced physical abuse as a child were twice as likely to develop eating disorder symptoms. In contrast, those who had experienced both physical and sexual abuse as children were three times more likely to experience eating disorder symptoms and four times more likely to meet the criteria for an eating disorder. 

Another study looking at individuals with eating disorders found that recovery rates were lower for those who had experienced physical or sexual abuse as a child, citing the need for specific treatment strategies for people within this group.

Personality disorders

Trauma is a risk factor for developing various personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), often linked to childhood abuse and other adverse experiences.

Poor financial status

Survivors of child abuse can be more likely to be low-income or experience poverty. This statistic may be due to mental or physical health conditions and concerns that lead to employment challenges. It is an example of how adverse childhood experiences can have a "snowball effect," impacting several areas of a person's life.

Other impacts 

It may not be uncommon for those who have survived child abuse to have trouble with self-esteem and interpersonal relationships, an increased risk of intimate partner violence, concerns related to intimacy, and difficulty expressing emotions. However, finding treatment and symptom management with support is possible, and you're not alone. Preventing future occurrences of child abuse when possible is vital, and intervention can save lives. 

Preventing child abuse

Although it may not be possible to prevent every occurrence of child abuse, there are several steps you can take as an individual and in your community to prevent child abuse, including the following.

Know the signs

Possible signs of child abuse can include the following:

• Nightmares
• Fear
• Phobias
• Anxiety
• Bedwetting
• Age regression 
• Depression
• Social withdrawal
• Missing school 
• Aggression 
• Crying 
• Avoidance of specific people, topics, objects, or locations 

Note that some of these signs may also be due to other circumstances, such as grief. In the case of physical abuse, one may notice signs like bruises and other injuries. In the case of neglect, one may notice matted hair or malnutrition. The signs can differ for each child and type of abuse. If you notice these signs, report abuse immediately. 

Teach kids to speak up

Children may not know that what they're experiencing is abnormal. In addition, they may not know they can speak up about abuse. Teach your children or children you care for about what is and is not okay from adults. Learn about sexual abuse, contact and non-contact abuse to teach them the signs. Some kids don't speak up because they fear getting in trouble. Let them know that they can come to you and that you won't report them to their abuser. 

Talk to kids about abuse

It can be challenging to start a conversation, especially if you're worried about how to make it age-appropriate. Stop It Now offers a resource sheet for teens and children to recognize abuse age-appropriately. 

A percentage of child abuse cases go unreported or unidentified. Survivors have many experiences regarding whether this was the case for them. It can be crucial for children who have experienced abuse to have support, safety, and stability after the fact, and adult survivors often strive for the same.

How to heal as an adult survivor of child abuse 

Since everyone who experiences child abuse is different, the healing trajectory varies from person to person. Often, working on self-esteem, finding healthy coping skills, engaging in inner child work, and improving symptom management are goals for survivors. 

Someone may want to reduce depression symptoms, rid themselves of PTSD symptoms like hypervigilance, or find ways to have healthy relationships. Below are a few resources to consider. 

Support groups

Finding a community is often beneficial for survivors, whether that community is found through an online support group or one that meets face-to-face. In a support group, you can talk to others who have experienced abuse and receive guidance and compassion. 

Individual therapy

Individual trauma therapy may help you cope with your symptoms and any co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Look for a trauma-informed therapist who offers face-to-face or remote sessions. 

Many modalities are explicitly focused on treating trauma, so it can be helpful to consult with therapists before meeting with a provider to find the right fit. A few helpful modalities may include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), trauma-informed cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or internal family systems therapy (IFS). However, there are hundreds of other modalities to choose from. 

Group therapy

Group therapy differs from individual therapy in that you meet with a group rather than seeing your therapist one-on-one. Group sessions often have a specific number of sessions and may involve learning skills alongside other clients. Licensed therapists lead these sessions and often have a specific goal. 

Try not to limit yourself 

Knowing that it's not too late to heal can be beneficial. No matter how long ago your abuse took place, whether you got justice, and whether your abuse was reported, it's possible to reach out for support. Stories from other survivors often show that getting to a better place is possible, and professionals can help you meet your goals. 

Alternative support options 

If you're a survivor of childhood abuse, it can be vital to process your past and any feelings holding you back from living a healthy, productive life. However, some survivors face barriers to in-person therapy, such as cost, distance or reachability. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may offer advantages. 

Online counseling allows you to connect with a professional from the comfort of your home or anywhere else with a stable internet connection. Using a platform, you can choose a safe and comfortable communication method, including phone, video, or live chat sessions. In addition, you can switch your therapist if you don't fit with your first match. 

Online therapy is backed by research, with one study showing that internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy can successfully treat different psychiatric disorders. The conditions studied included anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which can be more common among survivors of child abuse.