How to Take Back Control from Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma can leave deep marks that shape how you may relate to the world, yourself, and even something as basic as food. People who grew up with distressing experiences, whether emotional or physical, can find themselves struggling long after the events have passed. Taking back control from that legacy isn’t about erasing the past, but about understanding the ways trauma still influences daily living and seeking the support needed to heal.
One area where childhood trauma can show up later in life is in their relationship with eating. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (commonly known as ARFID) is an eating disorder that goes beyond picky eating. It can develop after traumatic experiences, including frightening or negative food-related events, and it can persist into adulthood unless properly addressed.
What ARFID Is and How It Can Relate to Trauma
ARFID is characterized by a persistent pattern of avoiding certain foods or severely limiting the amount of food eaten. Unlike anorexia nervosa or bulimia, ARFID isn’t driven by concerns about body weight or shape; instead, the avoidance often stems from fear, sensory sensitivities, or anxiety around eating itself. Individuals with ARFID might fear that trying new foods could lead to choking, vomiting, or another distressing reaction, or they may be overwhelmed by texture, smell, or taste.
Research shows that trauma and post-traumatic stress are common among people with ARFID. In studies of adolescents and adults treated for ARFID, nearly half met criteria for PTSD, with traumatic experiences often predating the development of restrictive eating patterns. This suggests that trauma processing is an important part of understanding and treating the disorder.
Taking Back Control Through Treatment
Recovering a sense of control after trauma and with ARFID involves addressing both the psychological roots and the practical challenges of eating. For many people, the fear or discomfort around food is tied to their past experiences, and care needs to be trauma-informed, meaning it acknowledges and works with those underlying emotional wounds as part of healing.
One helpful approach to treatment focuses on creating a safe, calm environment where individuals feel heard and supported as they gradually expand the range of foods they can tolerate. At treatment centers like NewCircle that specialize in ARFID treatment, care typically includes supportive therapies tailored to each person’s unique experiences and pace. Treatment may offer round-the-clock support in a residential setting for stabilization and nervous-system regulation, structured programs that blend individual therapy and group skills training, and environments that prioritize inclusivity, respect, and safety.
Alongside supportive care, structured psychological approaches can equip individuals with skills to manage anxiety and reshape their responses to food. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely used to help people recognize and adjust unhelpful thoughts and fears around eating, for example, while exposure-based practices support gentle, incremental engagement with new foods.
Healing From Trauma and Reclaiming Agency
Taking back control from childhood trauma involves reconnecting with your body’s needs and learning that nourishment doesn’t have to be stressful or frightening. Whether the trauma was directly tied to food or manifested later as anxiety around eating, recovery is possible through compassionate, individualized care and a supportive treatment environment.
Rebuilding trust in yourself and your relationship with food doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right combination of psychological healing, support networks, and therapeutic guidance, it becomes possible to move from survival to comfort, nourishment, and confidence.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with trauma-related eating challenges, seeking out professionals experienced with both trauma recovery and ARFID can be an empowering first step toward healing and taking back control.
