One of the biggest challenges of healing from childhood trauma is the weight of the responsibility of changing something that was not your fault. Unresolved childhood trauma can manifest in various ways including distorted self-perception, shame, fear, guilt, self-blame, humiliation, and chronic physical pain. These effects impact daily habits, disrupt healthy attachment, and undermine workplace functioning.

Examples of childhood trauma can range from overt acts like physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and psychological/e emotional abuse to events such as natural disasters (such as hurricanes or earthquakes), experiences of racism, serious accidents, life-threatening illness, violent loss of a loved one, community or school violence, and witnessing or experiencing family or partner violence.

Childhood trauma may sometimes go unnoticed, yet its impact can significantly alter healthy development, shifting individuals into survival mode. Exploring these experiences is essential, as they can shape current behaviors and beliefs. Trauma doesn't always stem from one major incident but can accumulate through a series of smaller events over time.

Childhood trauma deeply affects psychological and emotional well-being. Recognizing and sitting with these experiences is imperative for fostering healing and building resilience.

When we feel stressed or unsafe our “flight” or “fight” response kicks in to protect us. With anxiety that response can happen during times when we aren't threatened and lead to inappropriate or disproportionate reactions to daily stressors.

Anxiety can make you overthink and imagine things are worse than they are and prevent you from carrying out everyday tasks or even leaving the house. Physical symptoms include increased heart rate, sweating, stomach pain, chest pain, “butterflies”, and rapid breathing.

Unfucked Therapy and Wellness is an affirmative practice that celebrates LGBTQIA+ experiences. This is a supportive and encouraging space for healing whether you want to explore the impact of discrimination and marginalization on your emotional well-being, identity development, and relationships and/or a space to speak freely, openly, and honestly about your wants and needs.

I have coined the term “Hood PTSD” to describe post-traumatic stress disorder specifically related to trauma exposure in urban areas. Hood PTSD refers to the psychological impact and symptoms experienced by individuals who have witnessed or personally encountered the challenges prevalent in neighborhoods like my hometown, Detroit.