This assignment helped scientific writers understand and compose in specific genres. My topic is about Impacts of childhood trauma on the mental state in India. The reason I chose this topic is because I feel like it’s super important and is a topic shrouded in silence.
Narrative Project #1
Wounded Inner Child
No doubt, we have all heard of the phrase “time heals all wounds”. Even though the person saying it usually means well, accepting the possibility of healing is not always simple. Often, we are so overcome by the grief of the moment that we are unable to look past it. I remember being younger and my father used to yell at and make fun of my younger sister, Amy, who was only 8 years old. Amy was overcome by the insulting language and tone, and I remember her sobbing and withdrawing from the seemingly never-ending assault of hurtful comments. At times, the situation would worsen to the point where I had to physically remove my father in order to keep her safe. I’ve never forgotten these eerie memories. As I became older, I understood that these traumatic events didn’t go away on their own. They stuck with her, having an inexplicable impact on her emotional state.
I don’t know what my dad had against Amy. Although we were two years apart, she was super mature. People would always tell her you’re so mature for her age, and although we think it’s a compliment, to her it’s not. Her dealing with my dad’s trauma led her to be like this. When we were alone, we would talk and laugh a lot, almost like everything was normal. However, as soon as we heard my father’s shoes start to make sounds everything would change. I secretly wished I could have protected her from what awaited her that night as we sat in horror in my room behind a closed door. He would tell her to do all the chores at only 8 years old. I feel bad seeing her do this so I come and help her, and we chit-chat about how our day was at school. One day Amy and I were playing in the backyard and she forgot to put the clothes in the dryer. My dad came yelling at her and killed her pet hamster in front of us. Error wasn’t an option. She tells me how she saw her peers enter the building with their dads. She envied them as they played and giggled together, both enjoying the maternal love she yearned for but never experienced. She would lie about her injuries on her body and keep quiet. The beatings left countless scars, which she covered with clothes. She opened up to me about her suicidal thoughts and thinks that this world would be a better place without her. I didn’t know what to do or say to help comfort my sister. We were both so young.
Amy was depressed and always felt so little of herself. Her dreams were crushed because of my dad, and lost all of her confidence. I remember Amy being the smartest girl I knew, I always wished to be like her but had no connections whatsoever. She never left the house, did not speak to anyone, and would take medication. This continued until Amy eventually ran away. I felt so bad, but I knew it was because it was better. She had to escape. Despite what she was going through, she promised herself she would seek an education and make the best she could of herself. She attends therapy and sees mentors to help get herself back together. She eventually achieved her goals with the support and direction of several mentors, while also creating a close-knit group of friends who have more than made up for the lack of love and support she experienced as a kid. She only stays in contact with me from the family and has never seen or spoken to my dad since.
At times I’m struck by how many of us have unspoken stories about these problems and how significantly they still affect many aspects of our lives without even realizing what’s going on in this regard. Any trauma that a person experiences can change their entire life, particularly if it stays hidden deep inside their subconscious mind for a long period of time. Despite the fact that violence had been a part of Amy’s life since childhood, I never felt that what happened in our family was normal or that Amy was to blame for my father’s actions. Although she has experienced trauma, it does not define who she is. The bravest thing a person can do when working through trauma is to ask for assistance. I simply want to highlight that anyone who has experienced trauma shouldn’t have had to be strong. Being mature for your age isn’t a compliment because you experienced the worst kinds of experiences and grew up too quickly.
References
Horwitz, A. V., Widom, C. S., McLaughlin, J., & White, H. R. (2001). The Impact of Childhood Abuse and Neglect on Adult Mental Health: A Prospective Study. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 42(2), 184–201. https://doi.org/10.2307/3090177
Reflection
Based on my topic, I chose it because I feel like a super significant amount of children deal with this. A child’s reactions to abuse or neglect can have lifelong and even intergenerational impacts. Abuse or neglect may stunt the physical development of the child’s brain and lead to psychological problems, such as low self-esteem, which would later lead to high-risk behaviors, such as substance use. Child Abuse is an ongoing problem occurring in Children with no change happening causing negative mental health outcomes and long-term effects. The early years of a human’s life are one of the most delicate and memorable times of our lives, and the rights of a child should be recognized and not seen as a joke. Child Abuse is often viewed as normal and neglected in numerous societies, which should be changed. It is an important matter that shouldn’t be left with silence and change needs to happen, for the benefit of us, our kids, and society all together. Attention needs to be drawn to the long-term impact of childhood trauma on adult mental health. By doing this, I hope to impart some wisdom that may benefit those who have experienced similar things. I intend to establish a forum for discussion regarding the consequences of trauma and to offer some direction on identifying and decreasing its impacts.
