IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA ON ADULT MENTAL HEALTH

A child's brain and self-perception can be profoundly affected by childhood trauma, such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. This can result in mental health problems like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and personality disorders as an adult. The study's objectives are to determine protective variables, evaluate long-term psychological and behavioural effects, and investigate the connection between childhood trauma and adult mental health illnesses. The study uses secondary data sources and is descriptive in nature. Emotional instability, despair, and hostility can result from sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and witnessing violence. Sex abuse of children can result in severe anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and depression that lasts a lifetime. The degree and timing of the abuse might affect symptoms; in females, anxiety and PTSD are predicted by the duration and commencement of adolescence.