Anxiety: How Childhood Trauma Leads to Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychological disorders in America, with 18-19% of U.S. adults reporting an anxiety disorder in a given year. Anxiety can be impacted by a number of factors, but this research explores the connection between anxiety and childhood trauma as well as prevention strategies. Three research articles were analyzed specifically related to anxiety at the neurobiological level and the impact of early childhood trauma on adult anxiety. Findings indicate that the effects of childhood trauma are similar to the behavior and neurobiology of a person diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Trauma survivors may suffer from anxiety, abandonment/trust concerns, as well as an increased stress response. These neurological responses, if prolonged enough, can also lead to the development of an anxiety disorder. In order to assuage anxiety in trauma survivors, specifically in children, screening for trauma at younger ages to can help trauma responses from becoming anxiety disorders