Unresolved patterns, regarding child abuse and neglect, are bound to repeat themselves. Even in the face of our best intentions. You can’t cheat the unconscious even if you try very hard.

You might have found yourself exhibiting similar behavior as one of your parents that you have sworn to yourself, as a child, you would never do. And exactly within that promise to yourself is the culprit.

Child Abuse and Neglect and How we React to It as Children

Most serious PTSD Symptoms, regardless of adult life traumas and upsets, have their roots in childhood experiences. Most often these experiences span periods and are intimately related to the people you have grown up with; your parents, close family, siblings or friends of the family.

An adult mind is different from a child’s mind and how we as children process our experiences. As a child, we are much more dependent on our parents or caregivers for emotional and physical support.

When there was abuse going on, when you were a child, acting out anger generally isn't a safe option. It might lead to more severe punishment or emotional shut down by the parent or abuser present.

Need for Survival Strategies When Suffering Neglect and Child Abuse

It is at these moments, when we feel overwhelmed and can’t act out our rightful anger and disagreement that we make decisions born out of survival. These might be; to emotionally withdraw and disconnect, to make a statement to oneself of ‘I will never become like that’ or ‘the world, men or women can’t be trusted’ or a combination of all of them.