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Do I have childhood trauma?

Childhood Trauma Test

A childhood trauma screening tool developed by mental health professionals, designed to assess the impact of early traumatic experiences on your mental health, and to help determine if it’s time to seek professional treatment based on your symptoms.

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Is it trauma from childhood? Find out now.

How Scoring Works

This childhood trauma quiz questionnaire helps assess symptoms of traumatic events from childhood through a series of targeted questions. The purpose is to provide a preliminary evaluation of your mental health related to traumatic experiences.

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) provides criteria for diagnosing various mental health conditions, including those related to trauma, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder.

However, the DSM-5 does not provide a specific, standalone set of criteria solely for “childhood trauma.” Instead, it outlines criteria for disorders that can result from trauma experienced during childhood or at any other time.

The test scores responses to indicate the presence and severity of trauma-related symptoms. The results of this quiz are confidential, and we will never divulge any health information.

Disclaimer: While useful for initial assessment, this test is not a diagnostic tool, it is still important to seek a diagnosis from a mental health professional. If the test indicates significant trauma-related symptoms, immediate help from mental health services or crisis hotlines is crucial. Please self-report any severe distress or safety concerns.

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We have a variety of substance use, addiction, and mental health screening tools that can help you determine if it is time to seek help.

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Learn More About Childhood Trauma

Sandstone Care provides age-specific, individualized treatment for teens, young adults, and adults with trauma and other mental health conditions.

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Sandstone Care aims to drive positive lasting change in real people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. We understand that everyone’s situation is different, so we offer a more personalized rehab program than you’ll find anywhere else.

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Age-Specific Care
Age-Specific Care

We are age-specific, not gender-specific. We focus on the unique circumstances that you face at your specific stage of life.

Evidence-Based Therapy
Evidence-Based Therapy

We only use treatment interventions that have been scientifically proven to provide consistent, lasting recovery.

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Small Group Sizes

You are more than a number, which is why we provide an intimate setting where your voice can be heard.

Individualized Treatment Plans
Individualized Treatment Plans

No one person is the same, and neither is their recovery journey. Your treatment program will be tailored to your unique needs.

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Academic and Vocational Support

We want you to get the most out of life, which means feeling your best in the classroom or at your job.

The Family Component
The Family Component

Recovery involves the entire family, so we provide support for the whole family system.

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Symptoms of Childhood Trauma

The symptoms listed below can help you self-assess and recognize potential mental health issues stemming from early traumatic experiences. Those who experience prolonged symptoms of childhood trauma may be at an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other related conditions.

Individuals may exhibit any of the following symptoms:

  • Anxiety or excessive worry
  • Emotional volatility or detachment
  • Irritability, anger, or persistent feelings of shame or guilt
  • Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships
  • Trouble concentrating or staying focused
  • Nightmares or sleep disturbances
  • Withdrawal from social activities or isolation
  • Persistent feelings of sadness, grief, or depression
  • Recurrent memories or flashbacks of traumatic events

If these symptoms become severe or persist over time, it is important to seek professional health care treatment with a clinician to support your well-being and recovery.

Causes of Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma can arise from a variety of distressing experiences that overwhelm a child’s ability to cope, leaving lasting emotional and psychological effects.

Understanding the causes of childhood trauma is crucial for recognizing the impact these experiences can have on a child’s development and well-being.

 

 

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Abuse

Childhood trauma can stem from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, where the child is subjected to harmful actions or inappropriate behaviors by others. These experiences can severely damage a child’s sense of safety, trust, and self-worth.

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Domestic Violence

Witnessing violence between parents or caregivers creates an environment of fear and insecurity for a child. The constant exposure to conflict can disrupt a child’s emotional development and sense of safety.

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Accidents or Natural Disasters

Severe accidents or natural disasters can shatter a child’s sense of security and stability. Experiencing or witnessing such events can lead to ongoing fear, anxiety, and trauma.

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Medical Trauma

Serious illnesses or invasive medical procedures can be frightening and traumatic for a child, especially when they are not adequately supported. The stress and fear associated with these experiences can have long-lasting effects.

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Emotional or Psychological Stress

Chronic stress from living in conditions of poverty, homelessness, or community violence can significantly impact a child’s mental health. The constant exposure to stressors can overwhelm a child’s ability to cope.

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Neglect

Neglect, whether physical or emotional, occurs when a child’s basic needs for care, love, and attention are not met. This lack of support can lead to feelings of abandonment and worthlessness.

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Loss or Separation

The death of a loved one or the separation of parents can be deeply traumatic, leading to feelings of abandonment and profound grief. Such events can disrupt a child’s emotional stability and attachment to others.

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Bullying or Harassment

Persistent bullying or harassment by peers can cause deep emotional scars and a sense of isolation. These experiences often lead to feelings of shame, fear, and low self-esteem.

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Substance Abuse in the Household

Growing up in a household with parental substance abuse can create an unpredictable and unstable environment. This instability can leave children feeling unsafe and emotionally neglected.

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Exposure to War or Conflict

Living in or fleeing from war zones exposes children to violence, loss, and displacement. These experiences can deeply affect a child’s emotional and psychological development, leading to long-term trauma.

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Childhood Trauma Treatment

Childhood trauma is typically treated through trauma-focused therapy, which is designed to help individuals process and heal from the emotional and psychological effects of traumatic experiences.

Treatment for childhood trauma often involves three key steps:

  1. Establishing a sense of safety and stability in the present
  2. Developing coping strategies to manage trauma-related stress and emotions
  3. Working with a therapist to explore and process traumatic memories, and to build resilience and healthy coping mechanisms

Therapy can help individuals make sense of their traumatic experiences, reduce the power of traumatic memories, and develop healthier patterns of thinking and behavior.

It’s essential to find a therapeutic approach that fits your unique needs. What is effective for one person may not be as effective for another, so working with a therapist to tailor the treatment to your specific situation is crucial.

Find Trauma Treatment Near You

View All Locations

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Virginia Beach Mental Health Center

5040 Corporate Woods Dr., Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23462

(757) 585-3518
Age Groups: TeensYoung Adults
Levels of Care: Partial Hospitalization (PHP)Intensive Outpatient (IOP)Assessments
Treatment Programs: Mental Health
Front view of Sandstone Cares Richmond office.

Mental Health Richmond VA

4880 Sadler Rd., Glen Allen, Virginia, 23060

(804) 494-6144
Age Groups: TeensYoung Adults
Levels of Care: Partial Hospitalization (PHP)Intensive Outpatient (IOP)Assessments
Treatment Programs: Mental Health
Tinley-Park-Exterior-MH

Tinley Park Mental Health Center

16325 S Harlem Ave #260, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477

(708) 905-2509
Age Groups: TeensYoung Adults
Levels of Care: Partial Hospitalization (PHP)Intensive Outpatient (IOP)Assessments
Treatment Programs: Mental Health
Naperville-Mental-Health-Center-Featured-Web

Naperville Mental Health

8140 S. Cass Ave Suite B, Darien, Illinois, 60561

(331) 246-1162
Age Groups: TeensYoung Adults
Levels of Care: Partial Hospitalization (PHP)Intensive Outpatient (IOP)Assessments
Treatment Programs: Mental Health