Trauma and Codependency

You can make significant strides in overcoming codependency by developing new attitudes, skills, and behavior. But deeper recovery may involve healing trauma that usually began in childhood. Trauma can be emotional, physical, or environmental, and can range from emotional neglect to experiencing a fire. Childhood events had a greater impact on you then than they would today because you didn’t have coping skills that an adult would have. As a consequence of growing up in a dysfunctional family environment, codependents often suffer further trauma due to relationships with other people who may be abandoning, abusive, addicted or have mental illness. Childhood Trauma Childhood itself may be traumatic when it’s not safe to be spontaneous, vulnerable, and authentic. It’s emotionally damaging if you were ignored, shamed, or punished for expressing your thoughts or feelings or for being immature, imperfect, or having needs and wants. Some people are neglected or emotionally or physically abandoned and conclude they can’t trust or rely on anyone. They hide their real, child self, and play an adult role before they’re ready. Divorce, illness, or loss of a parent or sibling also can be traumatic, depending upon the way in which parents handled it. Occurrences become harmful when they’re either chronic or severe to the extent that they overwhelm a child’s limited ability to cope with what was happening. For more on shame and dysfunctional parenting, see Conquering Shame an...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Abuse Caregivers Children and Teens Disorders Domestic Violence Family General Parenting Psychology Psychotherapy PTSD Treatment ACE Avoidance Child Abuse Codependency Codependent Relationship Depersonalization Dysfunct Source Type: news