Childhood trauma: one simple question to ask our patients

• Published in: British journal of general practice Vol. 71; no. 709; p. 364
• Main Author: Milton, Hannah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Royal College of General Practitioners 01.08.2021
• Subjects: Adverse childhood experiences; Children & youth; Emotions; Empathy; Life & Times; Primary care; Suicides & suicide attempts; Trauma
• ISSN: 0960-1643; 1478-5242
• DOI: 10.3399/bjgp21X716645

Research into Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as those described above, has found that is a correlation between adverse experiences in childhood and the risk in adulthood of a range of conditions, from cardiovascular disease and stroke to addiction and suicide. Fractures in the relationship between a child and their mother, father, or primary care giver can impact on childhood development and the ability to form relationships as adults. The emotional disconnection can also lead to people having difficulty regulating their emotions and feeling empathy for others. Understanding this on a deeper level has helped me understand the behaviors of my patients, as well as my children. Their sometimes chaotic and self-destructive behavior can be frustrating to deal with but I find having empathy for how and why patients might behave the way that they do can lessen this frustration.