Developmental Trauma

What is Developmental Trauma?

The understanding of trauma has significantly evolved over the years. One of the first important milestones in trauma treatment was the recognition and formal diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Trauma counseling and treatment focused on bringing relief and recovery to people struggling with PTSD. However, pioneers in the field – such as Dr. Bessel Van der Kolk, Dr. Gabor Mate, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris and Dr. Peter Levine – soon recognized that many of their clients struggled with trauma symptoms that did not fit the criteria of PTSD. As a result, they have advanced the field by introducing and advocating for understanding and treatment of Developmental Trauma.

Developmental Trauma is trauma that occurs as a result of chronic exposure to stressful or traumatic situations early in life. This can include a traumatic pregnancy (such as mother being pregnant with you while living under duress), traumatic birth, violence in the household growing up, neglect, medical procedures early in life, and so on.

From the Somatic Experiencing lens, trauma isn’t the incident itself. It is the impact that the incident had on your wellbeing and regulation. When we are exposed to a traumatic incident (or chronic stress), our physiology will go into survival mode. A chronic state of survival changes our brain as well as our physiology and body chemistry. If we don’t get the support we need to digest the experience in the form of trauma therapy, we remain in a survival state. And over time, we begin to shape our understanding of the world through this state.

The Impact of Developmental Trauma

The impact of Developmental Trauma is especially significant because it occurs during the period in our lives when our brain is still developing and our understanding of ourselves and the world is still forming. As a result, some of the most common indicators of Developmental Trauma include:

  • Difficulties with relationships
  • Difficulties with regulating emotions
  • Getting overwhelmed by emotions
  • Becoming overwhelmed by interpersonal dynamics
  • Low self esteem and self worth.

At the same time, part of the uniqueness of Developmental Trauma is that, because it occurs during the time that our brain is still developing, the impact of the traumatic exposure, and the symptoms that result, will vary depending on the developmental milestone that got interrupted. So, for example, some people may have more sensory sensitivities while others may have more attachment difficulties and so on.

Other common signs of Developmental Trauma include

  • Sensitivity to sound, taste, smells or contact
  • Hypervigilance (jumpiness or restlessness)
  • Difficulty with concentration, attention and or memory
  • Difficulty with decision making
  • Difficulty with co-ordination and balance
  • Shutting down/zoning out frequently
  • Easily disoriented

Although not yet in the DSM, Developmental Trauma is increasingly more recognized as distinct from PTSD. And in 2018, the World Health Organization introduced the diagnosis of Complex PTSD (c-PTSD) which includes more of the symptoms that are observed in Developmental Trauma.

Developmental Trauma and Health

Physical health conditions often co-exist with Developmental Trauma. This is because when our system is stuck in trauma mode, the rest of the physiology has to adapt around this rather than remain in a regulated state, which further emphasizes the need to seek trauma therapy. Some of the common physical health conditions present with Developmental Trauma include:

  1. Chronic fatigue
  2. Crohns, IBS and similar conditions
  3. Diabetes
  4. Firbormyalgia
  5. Hypertension
  6. Migraines
  7. Thyroidism
  8. Etc.
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What Are The Causes Of Developmental Trauma?

Developmental Trauma can occur as a result of a number of different factors. These can include:

  • Accidents or falls
  • Being separated from parents at an early age
  • Community violence
  • Death or loss
  • Exposure to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; neglect;
  • Household dysfunction;
  • Illness in the family
  • Medical procedures (which may not be overwhelming for an adult, but can be overwhelming for a child);
  • Natural disasters.

Developmental Trauma can also be caused by witnessing violence or trauma. It is important to note that not all children who experience trauma will develop developmental trauma.

How is Developmental Trauma Treated?

There are a number of different types of Developmental Trauma therapy Dubai that can be helpful. These can include Somatic Experiencing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and other somatic-trauma-focused therapy modalities. It is important to work with a qualified therapist who has experience treating Developmental Trauma.

For help with developmental trauma therapy or if you are looking to talk about things that may be troubling you, please get in touch with Nora today. 

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