It’s a sad fact that a lot of people don’t get to experience a childhood as wholesome as many of us. Sadly, having such a tough childhood comes with its negative side effects, so if this is something you had to go through, you’ll likely recognize many of these 18 traits that people often develop due to bad childhoods.
Low Self-Worth
“It’s estimated that roughly 85% of people worldwide (adults and adolescents) have low self-esteem,” says Psychology Today. Yes, many people have low self-worth and do not believe in themselves because they went through a lot of negative experiences in their childhood that shattered their confidence.
Self-Reliance
A person who has gone through a lot of difficult experiences as a child has learned that others cannot be trusted. Because of this, they might not go to others when they need help. This kind of person becomes self-reliant and seldom asks others for assistance.
Emotional Instability
A person who went through a traumatic childhood likely did not have any emotional support. Because of this, they have a lot of unresolved emotional issues. They have never learned to deal with their emotions, and as a result, they are always on an emotional rollercoaster.
Withdrawn
We all need close friends whom we can open up to when times get tough. But a person who had a bad childhood might find it difficult to open up to others and be honest with them, as they still remember how opening up made them suffer in the past.
Lack of Confidence
Someone who had a bad childhood might always remember the negative things that were said to them. These bad experiences might make them think that they will never amount to anything and make them feel less confident. Their lack of confidence will be evident in their work ethic and also in their family life.
Lonesomeness
Statistics from Cross River Therapy show that “the average person has between 3 and 5 close friends… 49% report having 3 or fewer close friends.” But a person who has suffered a traumatic childhood might find it hard to trust people and get close to them. So they may only have one close friend or none at all.
Distrust
Do you, or does someone you know, find it hard to trust others? Then this might be the result of a traumatic past where trust was regularly broken by those closest to you. When this happens repeatedly in our childhood, it makes it hard for us to trust people in adulthood.
Settle
Did you have a traumatic childhood? Then you might find it difficult to set goals and push forward for a better future. Because life has always been difficult for you, it might be tricky for you to imagine it any other way, and you settle and put up with your current circumstances.
Depression
Sadly, depression is one of the most common mental health problems that people face on the daily. Worse still, it’s particularly common in those who have suffered a bad childhood, who are at greater risk of suffering from depression in their adult lives.
Non-Empathetic
Many people who have suffered a lot as children have had to fight to get to where they are now. So, when they see someone going through a problem that seems minor in comparison with what they went through, they struggle to feel empathy for that person. They use tough love to make the person strong.
Frequently Anxious
Do you or does someone you know suffer from anxiety? Many people who suffer from anxiety feel like some of the pain they are going through stems from their childhood experiences. Without the proper treatment, feelings of intense anxiety can heighten and make life seem unbearable.
Skepticism
We all doubt whether the things we plan to do will be successful or not. But a person who went through a troubling childhood will be very skeptical about life. They will display extra caution when making decisions to avoid suffering like they did in the past.
Controlling
If you know someone who suffered a lot when they were a kid, it is likely that they have grown into a controlling adult. This is because the person had absolutely no control over the things they went through in the past. To avoid suffering now, they try to micromanage every situation.
Loud
Does someone you know always raise their voice when they want to get their point across? Then this person may have been raised in an environment where people always shouted at one another, especially when they wanted their ideas to be heard. They don’t know any other way of communicating.
Aggressive
A person who grew up in a violent household will likely be an aggressive adult. They are this way because all they have ever seen is how people react violently to difficult situations. This had become the norm for them, and they carried this aggressive behavior into their adult lives.
Addiction
To cope with the prolonged distress of a bad childhood, a person might turn to addictive behaviors when they are in their early teens or adulthood. This includes substance abuse. They do this in an attempt to forget about their problems, but these addictive behaviors only lead to more issues.
Cold
A person who did not receive any love while they were growing up might find it difficult to nurture their children when they have a family of their own. They might think their children need tough love and do not see the importance of telling them that they love them.
Self-Harm
Self-harm is an addictive behavior that people use as an outlet for their suffering. People often do this to help shift their focus from their emotional pain. A lot of this emotional pain often stems from a tragic childhood.