Unfortunately, it’s very common for mothers and partners to be misdiagnosed with postnatal depression when the real reason behind the symptoms they’re experiencing is childhood trauma coming to the surface.
What is Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma can occur when a child witnesses or experiences overwhelming negative events. These can occur interpersonally {between people) or as events in a child’s life. Some examples of childhood trauma include:
- Abuse, neglect or exploitation
- Bullying
- Witnessing or experiencing domestic violence
- Divorce, separation or the imprisonment of a parent/caregiver
- Forced adoption
- Sudden or violent loss of a loved one
- Natural disasters, terrorism or war
- Medical procedures
- Exposure to frightening or inappropriate content
Motherhood and Childhood Trauma – What’s the Connection?
We have only recently started to understand the impact of overwhelming life experiences on our mental health. I view myself as a trauma informed psychotherapist, meaning I look at things through a lens of what happened to you as opposed to what is wrong with you. In my opinion, it makes sense that if you’ve experienced overwhelming life events and situations, these can continue to have an impact on you long after they first occurred
If you’ve experienced childhood trauma, having a baby of your own can often activate past pain. There are a number of possible reasons for this. For example, in trying to give your baby a different upbringing to the one you had, you may be reminded of not having your needs met by your caregivers. Seeing your parents treat your baby the same dysfunctional way they treated you could have a similar effect.
Is It Postnatal Depression or Childhood Trauma?
Although many of the symptoms overlap, postnatal depression presents differently to child trauma. Let’s run through some of the typical symptoms:
- Losing interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy (this can include lack of interest in your baby)
- Appetite changes
- Problems with sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling down, depressed or hopeless
- Lack of motivation and energy
- Thoughts of suicide and/or self-harm
- Excessive worry and anxiety
- Intrusive thoughts
People who have experienced childhood trauma tend to have very similar/the same symptoms as those with postnatal depression. The main difference is childhood trauma usually has a bigger impact on your mental health, your relationships and daily life. You may find yourself constantly struggling to regulate your emotions and experiencing intrusive memories of childhood. These emotional flashbacks can cause intense feelings that are very difficult to calm down from. As well as finding it hard to bond with your baby, you may struggle with other interpersonal relationships and attachments.
What Are the Treatment Options?
People with mild postnatal depression tend to respond well to small changes such as increasing daily exercise and incorporating meaningful activities into their day-to-day lives. If symptoms are moderate to severe, or their postnatal depression is rooted in pre-existing mental health difficulties, they may need medication from a GP and psychological support to guide them through and out the other side. Therapies such as counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are evidence-based, effective treatments for overcoming depression.
In contrast, if you’ve experienced childhood trauma, counselling and CBT may not help at all or only for a short while before symptoms return. Instead, it’s likely you’ll need trauma and attachment therapy such as Schema Therapy or EMDR Therapy. Given childhood trauma often takes place over a significant period of time, treatment needs a broader, long-term focus to achieve deep emotional change.
Find Out More
Whether you’re dealing with postnatal depression or childhood trauma, I can help. If you’re interested in working with me, you can book a free consultation here. I also share lots of tips and advice via Instagram.
Useful Links
What to Do if Therapy Isn’t Working
EMDR or Schema Therapy – Which is Right for You?
