In our last essay – part two of this three part essay series – we explored how our childhood trauma adaptations, originally rooted in attempts purely to cope with if not survive our painful early experiences, could have developed qualities and characteristics in us as adults that have served us well academically, professionally, financially, etc.

Today, in this third of the three-part series, we’re going to explore how all of these adaptations can also become a proverbial Kryptonite and how we can begin to discern when and how this is happening and then seek out the right kind of support to “reduce the Kryptonite” (so to speak). 

Childhood trauma adaptations as proverbial Kryptonite.

As we discussed previously, childhood trauma adaptations may morph into strengths or “superpowers.”

But their flip side can act as “kryptonite,” undermining our adult lives—professionally, financially, logistically, and relationally—when the context that necessitated these adaptations has passed and the adaptations are now running us on autopilot.

Let’s illustrate this with some examples from the eight adaptations we’ve used across this three-part essay series.

Hyper-vigilance, for example, may serve well in high-stakes environments requiring acute awareness. Yet, in everyday settings, this constant alertness can lead to burnout, stress-related illnesses, or strained personal relationships due to perceived overreaction to minor threats (perceived or actual).

Another example? 

People-pleasing behavior, while fostering harmonious relationships as we previously discussed, can also lead to a loss of personal identity and boundaries. In professional settings, this might manifest as difficulty in saying no, leading to overcommitment and burnout. 

Now let’s talk about dissociation. Dissociation, valuable for creative endeavors, can become problematic when it impairs one’s ability to stay present in critical conversations or situations, impacting personal and professional relationships. The detachment from reality can hinder emotional connections with others and oneself, leading to isolation not to mention a host of disorienting experiences from a lack of being personified and presentified.

Another example?

Emotional numbing protects against pain but also dulls joy and satisfaction, making meaningful personal connections challenging. This can translate into a lack of passion or drive professionally, affecting career advancement and satisfaction. 

Another reframe that hits home for me: perfectionism may drive high achievement but at the cost of never feeling “good enough,” leading to chronic stress, anxiety, and potentially, mental health issues. 

Also, and yes, I relate to this one, too, control-seeking behaviors provide a sense of security but can manifest as rigidity or micromanagement in professional settings, stifling creativity and flexibility. Relationally on the home front, this need for control can lead to lots of conflicts and sometimes a lack of genuine, reciprocal relationships.

Impulsivity, while enabling quick decision-making, can also result in rash decisions with long-term negative consequences, especially financially or professionally. The lack of foresight can undermine financial stability and professional reputation.

Finally, avoidance can initially reduce stress but ultimately limits personal growth and problem-solving capabilities. Professionally, it can lead to missed opportunities due to the fear of facing challenging situations. Relationally, it prevents the deepening of connections, as difficult conversations are necessary for growth.

Obviously, there is a “flip side of the coin” to what we can view as our adaptation superpowers. 

And that flip side is that these adaptations can become our proverbial Kryptonite as well if we’re not mindful of them and attempting to manage them. 

So how do we know when our superpowers are becoming Kryptonite?

First of all, please understand that even if your superpower has a flip side, no one is telling you to fully get rid of this superpower/Kryptonite quality; I’m certainly not! 

Your adaptations served you well as a kid and likely left you with great gifts as an adult. 

BUT, recognizing when and how they may be getting in your way as an adult (either because you don’t have choice around how frequently, choicefully, or intensively you flex your superpower), is critical for your adult well-being now.

So what do we do about this? 

How do we start to discern when our superpower is becoming our Kryptonite and flex some choice around it?

It boils down to self-compassion, mindfulness, and good trauma therapy.

First, let’s have soooo much compassion for our child selves who, in all our drive to survive, formed an adaptation that got us through and maybe out of that painful early environment. 

Thank you, younger self.

Now, couple this self-compassion with mindfulness about what role that adaptation is currently having in your life by asking the following questions:

• Does this adaptation now serve my well-being and growth, or is it a reactive pattern to past trauma?
• Am I using this adaptation to avoid feeling or dealing with difficult emotions?
• How does this adaptation affect my relationships with loved ones, colleagues, and friends?
• Do I feel like I have control over this adaptation, or does it control me?
• How do I feel after engaging in this adaptation—empowered or drained?
• Does this adaptation align with the person I want to be?
• What would happen if I let go of this adaptation (or, at the very least, reduced it by like 50%)?
• How does this adaptation impact my mental and physical health?
  
• What are the short-term benefits versus the long-term consequences of this adaptation?
• How do others react to this adaptation? Is it bringing me closer to or pushing me away from the people I care about?
• What’s the cost if I don’t gain a little more control over this adaptation?

Reflecting on these prompts can help you discern if your adulthood superpower has morphed into a proverbial form of Kryptonite that, quite frankly, you need to get a handle on.

And then, after compassion and mindfulness, if you do decide you need to get a handle on it, that’s when we seek out trauma therapy.

Trauma Therapy: reducing the Kryptonite

When we look at the ways we’ve adapted to past childhood trauma, it’s essential to understand that these adaptations are like double-edged swords, both superpowers and Kryptonite, both adaptive and maladaptive.

Our childhood trauma adaptations were beneficial during difficult times in childhood, but as adults, they can sometimes get in the way. 

The goal of trauma therapy, especially with methods like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), is to help us process these past experiences so that they don’t control our reactions in the present.

EMDR therapy can help change how we react to memories of trauma, making them less overwhelming and allowing us to respond to current situations more appropriately. 

It’s not about forgetting the past but about changing how it affects us now.

It’s not about getting rid of our superpower but cultivating more choice about how we flex this superpower so it doesn’t run our lives like Kryptonite.

This doesn’t mean losing our ability to be vigilant or empathetic (or fill in the blank with whatever your childhood trauma adaptation is); it means choosing when and how to use these abilities rather than letting them automatically take over.

This ability to choose is key to using our childhood trauma adaptations positively in our adult lives.

And in doing so, we give ourselves a better chance at having a beautiful adulthood, despite our adverse early beginnings.

And now I’d love to hear from you in the comments below:

What is one of your childhood trauma superpowers that, in the past or in the present, sometimes feels like Kryptonite for you? What has been helpful for you in reducing the “Kryptonite” so that you have more choice over this adaptation?

If you feel so inclined, please leave a message so our community of 30,000 blog readers can benefit from your share and wisdom.

Finally, as you contemplate beginning trauma therapy to recover from your own childhood trauma symptoms, I would strongly encourage you to work with a licensed mental health professional who is also trained in an evidence-based trauma modality (like EMDR).

If you’re in California or Florida and ready to begin high-quality, trauma-informed therapy, my team and I at Evergreen Counseling can help. Book a complimentary consultation with our clinical intake director, and she’ll match you to the therapist who’s the best fit for you personally, clinically, and logistically. (It may even be me!)

Wherever you live, join the waitlist for my upcoming course, “Fixing the Foundations.” It’s designed to transform entrenched survival patterns into authentic inner steadiness through a multi-phase, neuroscience-backed approach.

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Thank you for being here. Until next time, please take such good care of yourself. You’re so worth it.

Warmly,

Annie