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Childhood Trauma Test

Find out if you're possibly dealing with the aftermath of childhood trauma.

There’s no denying that we can carry our past with us, especially when it comes to difficult childhood memories and events. What if you suspect that some negative events from your early years are still impacting you today, though?

Although not meant to be a replacement for a psychological exam, this quiz aims to help identify whether or not you might've experienced childhood trauma in the past. If you’re ready to learn a little more about yourself, hit “Start Quiz.”

This quiz is not an official psychological test and should not be used as a diagnostic tool of any kind. Always meet with a mental health professional (like a psychiatrist) to receive any official diagnosis.

A blonde child in a blue shirt lies despondently on his elbows.

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Questions Overview

1. Can you recall a lot of happy memories from your childhood?
  1. None at all.
  2. A couple, but not very many.
  3. Yes, quite a few.
  4. Absolutely! There are so many.
2. Do you find yourself dissociating frequently?
  1. Yes, I dissociate all the time.
  2. Yes, I dissociate pretty often.
  3. Nah. I dissociate once in a while, but not frequently.
  4. No, I almost never dissociate.
3. Is debilitating, chronic stress a common element in your day-to-day life?
  1. Absolutely. It most definitely is.
  2. Mostly, yeah. I might have a day of reprieve in the week, but that’s it.
  3. Not really. I’m super stressed occasionally, but not constantly.
  4. Not at all—I’m almost never stressed, especially not to that degree.
4. Is it a huge struggle for you to keep your emotions under control?
  1. Definitely—balancing and regulating my emotions is a constant struggle for me.
  2. Yes, I find it difficult to regulate my emotions, but I wouldn't say it's a big problem.
  3. On rare occasions I might struggle to regulate my emotions, but not frequently.
  4. No, I don’t struggle with this at all.
5. Do you have trouble holding onto friendships for long periods of time?
  1. Yes. It feels like none of my friendships last for very long.
  2. Partially, yes— I only have 1 or 2 long-lasting friendships.
  3. Not especially. I’ve lost a couple of friends, but not many overall.
  4. Not at all! I’m great at holding onto my friendships.
6. Do you commonly feel anxious?
  1. 100%. I can’t remember a day when I wasn’t anxious.
  2. Yes, I’m anxious pretty often—it’s a common theme in my life.
  3. Sometimes, but not incredibly often.
  4. Nope. I rarely ever feel anxious.
7. Do you have trouble sharing how you’re really feeling with others?
  1. For sure—it’s a real struggle for me.
  2. I can occasionally, but it’s definitely a challenge.
  3. Not really. I can typically manage just fine.
  4. No. It’s easy for me to be vulnerable with others.
8. How often do you assume that people are thinking negatively about you?
  1. Almost constantly. It’s easiest to assume the worst.
  2. Pretty frequently. It’s rare for me to envision a positive outcome.
  3. Not often at all—not about the people I care for, anyway.
  4. Almost never. I don’t really care what anyone thinks about me.
9. Do you often doubt your personal capabilities?
  1. All the time. Self-doubt is a common theme in my life.
  2. Fairly often. It’s hard for me to believe in myself for long.
  3. Not that often. I can push self-doubt away easily.
  4. No, I don’t. I have faith in what I can accomplish.
10. As a child, were you anxious about being punished harshly?
  1. Yes, that was a constant worry for me.
  2. I was concerned about it pretty frequently.
  3. On occasion, maybe, but not overall.
  4. No. I was never worried about that.
11. Do you find yourself lying awake at night?
  1. Yes. I’ll toss and turn for what feels like hours.
  2. Sometimes, yeah. Some nights are worse than others.
  3. Not usually, but on rare occasions I might have trouble.
  4. Nope! Unless I drink coffee before bed, I’m out like a light.
12. Are you comfortable outlining clear boundaries for yourself?
  1. No. I find it really difficult to establish boundaries for myself.
  2. No, not entirely. I find it tough to assert myself sometimes.
  3. For the most part; it really depends on the person.
  4. Yes—I have no trouble establishing clear boundaries in my life.
13. Describe your childhood memories in two words:
  1. Bleak and unhappy.
  2. Mediocre and unsettling.
  3. Pleasant and dull.
  4. Happy and warm.
14. How would you describe your relationship with your parents now?
  1. I don’t have a good relationship with one or both of them.
  2. I have a functioning relationship with them, but it’s strained.
  3. My relationship with my parents isn’t always amazing, but I can’t complain.
  4. I have a healthy and balanced relationship with my parents.

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Childhood Trauma in Adults

Difficult moments in our past—in our childhood, especially—can have a lasting impact on our long-term mental health, even in our adult years. Officially known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (or ACEs), these events can stem from a wide variety of negative childhood circumstances, including (but not limited to):

  • Neglect
  • Abuse
  • Imprisoned loved ones
  • Loved ones struggling with substance abuse
  • Divorced parents
  • Domestic violence at home

ACEs can manifest in many unpleasant ways, including increasing one’s risk of long-term physical ailments (like heart disease or diabetes) as well as long-term emotional struggles, including mental health issues, behavioral challenges, and more. Still, there’s plenty that can be done to reduce the impact that ACEs have on a person’s daily life:

  • Seek professional diagnosis and treatment. It’s always best to get any physical ailments diagnosed by a licensed medical professional and any mental ailments diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Psychotherapy, or regular appointments where you meet with a therapist/psychologist, can also be an immensely helpful way to unpack, discuss, and heal from your trauma in a safe place.
    • In some cases, a medical or psychiatric professional may recommend medication to help you treat a long-term physical or mental illness.
    • A healthcare or mental health professional might advise you to take the 10-question ACE Questionnaire, a research-based test that explores what types of traumatic incidents may have occurred in your childhood and could still be impacting you today.
  • Journal about your negative experiences. Take a few days to write about some of the negative feelings and experiences that are taking the biggest toll on you. Is there anything specific that’s really sticking with you and affecting your daily life? Give yourself permission to dive into these feelings and explore them freely.
  • Spend time mindfully meditating. Research shows that mindful meditation can be a helpful way to promote healing in your brain. This type of meditation is really simple—focus on identifying and tracking your breaths as you breathe in and out, and pay attention to the different types of sensations you experience during that time. Try to do this at a time when you’re able to really focus and relax, whether that’s first thing in the morning or right before bed.
  • Make yoga part of your routine. Yoga can help you feel good—research actually proves it! In one particular study, people who practiced yoga experienced an over 25% increase in their brains’ GABA production (a feel-good chemical). wikiHow has plenty of great resources to help you get started, including How to Do Yoga, How to Practice Yoga Daily, and even How to Do Yoga Meditation.
  • Connect with your friends and family. Support and solidarity can go a really long way when you’re healing from traumatic childhood experiences. It might help to seek solace in a like-minded community (like a group that practices mindfulness meditation), or to have a deep chat with your friends and loved ones about their own lived experiences.

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Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.

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  • Holdynn Shevlin

    Holdynn Shevlin

    Apr 22

    "This quiz was great! I got to learn a lot from it!"
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