By Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS
As a therapist who works with survivors of childhood trauma, I find that self-blame is a common part of their experience. As a survivor myself, I experience this, too. Here are some of the reasons why this happens:
1. Internalized Shame: Children are highly impressionable, and they often internalize messages from their environment, including those that blame them for the abuse or neglect they experienced. Many traumatized children grow up with the message that they are to blame, or are somehow at fault for what happened to them. This can lead to feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and self-blame, as survivors come to believe that they somehow deserved or caused the trauma.
Share This Post!
How a History of Trauma is Affecting the Children of Gaza
By Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR Researchers say the cumulative trauma of chronic ethnic-political violence has a profound and lasting impact on children's mental health and development, affecting their functioning and outlook on the [...]
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event
Provided by the Child Mind Institute In the wake of a traumatic event, your comfort, support and reassurance can make children feel safe, help them manage their fears, guide them through their [...]
Mental Health Resources for Caregivers
Provided by Mental Health America Caregiving can often have a significant impact on the life of the caregiver in more ways than one. It can make maintaining your physical and mental health [...]
Post-Traumatic Growth
Psychology Today Post-Traumatic Growth is the positive psychological change that some individuals experience after a life crisis or traumatic event. Post-traumatic growth doesn’t deny deep distress, but rather posits that adversity can [...]
Talking to Children About War
Provided by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network The recent tragic events in Israel has impacted many directly who have experienced a personal loss or by witnessing this type of violence trigger [...]
Key Ingredients for Successful Trauma-Informed Care Implementation
By Christopher Menschner and Alexandra Maul, Center for Health Care Strategies Because of the potentially long-lasting negative impact of trauma on physical and mental health, ways to address patients’ history of trauma [...]