Treating Trauma: The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Adult Mental Health

Understanding the Origins of Mental Health Issues Can Illuminate Solutions

Provided by MN Mental Health Clinics

September 8, 2025 at 3:34PM

Trauma can take many forms, and so can its impact on a person’s life. Whether a single incident or an ongoing experience; whether human-caused or the result of external forces; and whether experienced emotionally or physically, trauma may alter a person’s worldview and reshape how one engages with other people and the world at large. In this series, Minnesota Mental Health Clinics explores the topic of trauma and its impact on mental health, how treatment is adapted for those who have experienced trauma, and how people benefit from care.

Childhood trauma—including abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction—isn’t something a person experiences and then moves on from. Research shows it can cast long shadows into adulthood, predisposing individuals to depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and relationship difficulties.

Recognizing these links is vital for effective intervention and healing. Mental health professionals can help people recognize the behaviors and feeling they have today and help uncover the root cause, which may lay far in the past – and may even be unrecognized. Fortunately, there is hope: Identifying childhood trauma and engaging in the right treatment can help people process these troubling memories and learn to adapt and cope, offering a path to improved well-being.

In Their Words: Finding Healing from Childhood Trauma

“I have not worked in the past 11 years as a result of my childhood trauma. Recently I’ve been applying for jobs and have an interview for a full-time position teaching. I am terrified but excited. I don’t think I would be where I am without EMDR [Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing] treatment. I regularly use the skills I learned during my time in this program to help me calm down when I am overstimulated.”

- Patient report, 5 months post-treatment

Long-Term Effects of Early Trauma

Research has shown a strong relationship between childhood trauma and mental health issues in adulthood. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study showed that there was a dose-response relationship: Those with higher ACE scores (meaning those with more negative or traumatic experiences in their youth) were correlated with a greater likelihood of depression, suicidal behavior, and physical health issues later in life.

Some of the mental health issues found in adults who experienced childhood trauma include:

  • Altered Stress Response: Chronic hyperarousal or shutdown.
    • Attachment Disruptions: Difficulty trusting and forming relationships.
      • Cognitive Impacts: Impaired concentration and memory challenges.
        • Health Outcomes: Increased risk of chronic illness and mental disorders.

          Healing Through Targeted Interventions

          Taking steps toward addressing trauma in your life can significantly improve your ability to reengage with the world and other people in ways that may have been challenging or even unlikely before.

          Trauma-focused therapies, psychoeducation, and resilience-building strategies can mitigate long-term effects. Early identification and treatment are key to transforming trajectories. Common therapies a treatment center may recommend include:

          • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
            • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT
              • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT

                Talk to a mental health professional to learn more about these and other options.

                Connect with Minnesota Mental Health Clinics

                At Minnesota Mental Health Clinics’ Center for Trauma Care & Healing, we offer comprehensive adult trauma assessments performed by clinicians who are trauma informed that include ACE screening, followed by individualized treatment plans integrating therapy, linkage to other resources to support daily functioning, medication management, and support groups.

                If childhood trauma impacts your life today, schedule an adult trauma assessment.

                If you’re in crisis or need immediate help, call or text 988.

                Schedule a Consultation Today

                Disclaimer

                This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified health provider regarding any questions or concerns about your mental health.