These 8 behaviors common to people who experienced a difficult childhood

Hack Spirit listed eight behaviors that could be symptomatic of an unhappy childhood. Among them, we find the fact of not being able to easily build relationships with others. A child who grew up in an environment where his needs were not taken into account will have more difficulty trusting. He may even encounter problems with rejection of intimacy. Sharing a daily life, a quilt, a film, a roof, will then no longer be a source of pleasure for him or her, but of anxiety.

Likewise, a person who grew up in a toxic environment will tend to have low self-esteem stemming from years in which the individual received inadequate validation, love, or attachment. This low self-esteem can unfortunately have impacts on various areas of life, both personal and professional.

Repression of emotions, difficulty reaching out to others are signs of a difficult childhood

The other consequence of a traumatic childhood is the repression of emotions. This coping mechanism was often adopted during childhood to protect oneself from an environment where said emotions could lead to more suffering, or even be a source of conflict.

Another character trait is the tendency to be a perfectionist. Previously aggrieved children might have developed a fear of making mistakes or failing to meet expectations that were high during their childhood, and that is why they would act today in a kind of overachieving performance.

“Over-empathy”, another characteristic of a difficult childhood

Although we should not generalize, people who have experienced a traumatic childhood are also often more sensitive people. Their empathy would have developed through the hyper-awareness of the environment that they must have had from the time they were very young, whether to protect themselves or to protect a certain idea of ​​peace within their family. If being empathetic is of course not a fault, being over-empathetic can lead one to feel overwhelmed by the emotion of others, and, in fact, to avoid criticism, conflicts, or attempts at communication. .

Not taking care of yourself would also be a trait common to many people who had difficult childhoods. Those who have been accustomed to take care of others to the detriment of their own needs do not know, once they grow up, how to take care of themselves, whether emotionally, health-wise or professionally, the concept of personal care being able to give them the feeling selfish.

How to recover from a traumatic childhood?

Do you know the concept of control freak? It defines people who develop a constant need for control over all the elements that make up their daily life. This desire to control could be a response to uncertainty, chaos or lack of control that they experienced during their early years.

Finally, whether it is committed as a protective measure or whether it materializes in the form of distrust, the tendency to isolate oneself can unfortunately also be a symptom of a difficult childhood, during which emotional barriers unfortunately often do not exist. not been respected. In any case, these eight behaviors are not immovable. It is entirely possible to influence your present or that of your loved one who would be in this situation. The important thing is to remember that these behaviors do not mean failure in your life. Likewise, recognizing these “symptoms” is already a very good step towards healing. Finally, therapy or a safe space can also help you think about recovery strategies.

Camille Bonvalet has an interest in societal subjects and feminist issues. She is also passionate about literature. Versatile, she appreciates the prose of Flaubert as much as that of Michel…