Navigating Relational Trauma in the Modern World

Hello there! Today, we’ll be discussing Relational Trauma, its impact, and what navigating through this kind of trauma may look like. It's important to remember that the information provided here should not be taken as medical, legal, or therapeutic advice. Everyone's journey through stress or trauma is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. Experiencing abuse in any form is never okay, and your experiences and feelings are completely valid. Healing is a personal process, and only you can define what that looks like for you. Remember to prioritize your own needs and well-being. If you need more resources or someone to talk to, please reach out to Imaara Foundation.

Written By: Dr. Swetha Talluri

What is Relational Trauma?

Relational trauma encompasses the adverse effects of abuse, neglect, maltreatment, or abandonment within close relationships. It can significantly impact an individual's self-esteem, self-image, and ability to cultivate meaningful and lasting connections with others. These repercussions manifest in various forms, such as difficulties in establishing trust, fear of intimacy, emotional dysregulation, and heightened sensitivity to perceived relationship threats. This type of trauma is often prevalent during childhood, where a child's sense of safety and love within the family is frequently disrupted (Newport Academy, 2022).

What are the types of relational trauma?

There are two types of relational trauma: childhood and adult.

• Childhood relational trauma refers to traumatic experiences that occur during a person's early years, such as abuse, neglect, or witnessing domestic violence.

• Adult relational trauma, on the other hand, is defined as traumatic experiences that occur during adulthood, such as intimate partner violence or betrayal by a close friend or family member (Bright Quest).

Abandonment is a type of relational trauma that can have a significant impact on individuals. Abandonment can cause relationship distress in two ways:

• Physical abandonment:  Physical abandonment is the physical absence or neglect of a caregiver

• Emotional abandonment: Emotional abandonment is when the caregiver is emotionally unavailable or inattentive (Newport Academy, 2022).

What are the common symptoms and impacts of relational trauma among adults and children?

Relational trauma is trauma that occurs within close relationships, typically with a caregiver. It can have a significant impact on individuals, both physically and emotionally. Common symptoms of relational trauma include psychological, physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms. These symptoms can manifest differently in each person and may vary in intensity.

Psychological symptoms among adults include dissociation and suicidal ideation.

• Dissociation is characterized by a loss of connection with one's thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of self. It is a defense strategy that people might adopt to deal with overwhelming or unpleasant circumstances.

• Suicidal ideation, on the other hand, refers to persistent or recurring thoughts of ending one's life (Pacific Teen Treatment, 2021).

Children who have experienced relationship trauma may exhibit symptoms such as anxiety, sadness, developmental delays, and issues with emotional regulation (Newport Academy, 2022).

Physical symptoms among adults may include sleep problems and gastrointestinal issues. Sleep difficulties, such as insomnia or nightmares, are common symptoms of trauma. There may also be gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome or stomachaches. Adult relational trauma can also cause headaches, hypervigilance, and social isolation (Tanasugarn, 2022). Although physical symptoms are less typical for children, they can still manifest as stomachaches, headaches, and disturbances in appetite and sleep patterns as a result of relational trauma (Newport Academy, 2022).

Behavioral symptoms among adults may involve engaging in damaging or dangerous behaviors as a coping mechanism. These behaviors may include self-harm, substance misuse, or participation in harmful activities. It is vital to stress that these behaviors are not the result of personal defects but rather a reaction to trauma (Pacific Teen Treatment, 2021). In contrast, children may develop behavioral symptoms such as hostility, withdrawal, difficulties concentrating, academic issues, and engaging in dangerous or self-destructive behaviors (Mellisa Gooden et al., 2021).

Emotional symptoms commonly linked with this form of trauma include depression. There may be feelings of sadness, helplessness, and disinterest in previously enjoyed activities (Pacific Teen Treatment, 2021). Young children may regress to an earlier developmental stage and become clingy, emotional, or exhibit behaviors such as bedwetting even after they have mastered toilet training (Porrey LPC, 2022).

What can recovery and healing from relational trauma look like?

The Life Events Checklist (LEC) is an instrument that has demonstrated convergent validity with measures of traumatic exposure and associated psychopathology (Berfield et al., 2021). It is a self-report questionnaire designed to identify potentially traumatic experiences in a respondent's life. Comprising a quick 17-item questionnaire, it prompts individuals to indicate whether they have encountered various unpleasant or stressful events. The LEC-5 is specifically crafted to gather information regarding potential traumatic events experienced by an individual. However, it lacks a defined scoring procedure and is not readily accessible to the general public. Access to the LEC-5 is typically through mental health specialists such as psychiatrists or psychologists (PsyPack). This test aids in assessing traumatic experiences and their psychological consequences, assisting individuals in recognizing and understanding the diverse forms of trauma and its impact on them (Berfield et al., 2021).

Understanding and managing relational trauma is crucial for supporting healing and well-being in individuals who have experienced it. Therapy and support from mental health specialists can assist individuals in processing their trauma, developing coping skills, and restoring their sense of self and trust in relationships. Additionally, creating safe and nurturing environments that prioritize healthy relationships and effective communication can help prevent and alleviate the effects of relational trauma. Implementing a trauma-informed approach in community-based programs can effectively aid those who have experienced trauma in overcoming these challenges (Singh et al., 2020).

Relational trauma poses a significant public health hazard with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Recognizing the prevalence and complexity of relationship trauma, supporting trauma-informed treatment, and establishing supportive environments can aid survivors in their recovery and flourishing. Understanding and addressing relationship trauma are crucial steps towards achieving individuals' recovery and well-being. Moreover, individuals can begin to reclaim their sense of self and trust in relationships through accessing treatment, support, and creating safe environments.

Want the references for this article?

Berfield, J. B., Goncharenko, S., Forkus, S. R., Contractor, A. A., & Weiss, N. H. (2022). The differential relation of trauma types with negative and positive emotion dysregulation. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9136915/

BrightQuest Treatment Centers. (n.d.). Relational trauma. BrightQuest Treatment Centers. https://www.brightquest.com/relational-trauma/

Mellisa Gooden, L. (2021, December 6). Signs of trauma in children: What you need to know. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/ptsd/signs-of-trauma-in-children

Newport Academy Staff. (2022, October 6). How relational trauma impacts teen mental health, social connections, and self-esteem. Newport Academy. https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/relational-trauma/

PsyPack. (n.d.). Life events checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5). PsyPack. https://psypack.com/assessments/life-events-checklist-for-dsm-5-lec-5/

Singh, C. D., Andrews, N. C. Z., Motz, M., Pepler, D. J., Leslie, M., & Zuberi, S. (2020). Trauma-informed and relational approaches to service provision: Building community-based project capacity to respond to interpersonal violence through a national initiative. BMC Public Health. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-020-09960-3

Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). The common effects of complex relational trauma. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-ptsd/202206/the-common-effects-complex-relational-trauma

What is relational trauma? Pacific Teen Treatment. (2021, October 13). Pacific Teen Treatment. https://pacificteentreatment.com/mental-health/what-is-relational-trauma/

Porrey, N. LPC. (2022, January 26). Healing after relational trauma. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/facts-and-healing-steps-after-relational-trauma-5212446#:~:text=Children%20coping%20with%20relational%20trauma%20often%20experience%20a,bedwetting%20long%20after%20they%20have%20mastered%20toilet%20training.