EFFECT OF CHILDHOOD PSYCHOTRAUMA ON THE ANXIETY LEVEL OF PATIENTS WITH NEUROTIC DISORDERS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the effect of childhood psychotraumas on the level of anxiety of patients with neurotic disorders. The relevance of the work is emphasized by the need to study and understand the mechanisms by which a child’s traumatic experience affects the level of anxiety of a person. Given the prevalence of such disorders and their impact on quality of life, as well as the growing interest in the psychological aspects of traumatic experiences, this research is relevant and aimed at practically significant results. In the article, an analysis of theoretical approaches to understanding the essence of the concept of “psychological trauma”, traces modern research trends and attempts to define this phenomenon. Psychotrauma is understood as a complex reaction that occurs as a result of negative intense events, exceeding the capabilities of an individual and causing significant mental pain. It includes both external and internal factors that can destroy protective mechanisms. One of the main determinants of a traumatic experience is the type of trauma itself. Among such traumas, it is worth mentioning physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence or the loss of loved ones, which can have different effects on the psyche of the child and on his subsequent mental health. Empirical research has shown that the level of a child’s traumatic experience has a significant impact on the development of anxiety. According to the results of the ACE method, it was determined that individuals with a high level of traumatic experience have a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders than those with a moderate or low level of traumatization. Data obtained from the Hamilton Anxiety Scale confirmed a high level of anxiety in patients with neurotic disorders who experienced traumatic experiences in childhood. It was determined that children’s traumatic experiences significantly affect the mental state and emotional stability of the individual. Understanding the determinants of psychotrauma, as well as taking into account adaptive stress coping mechanisms, is the key to developing effective psychological support and treatment programs for patients with neurotic disorders.