The Effect of Neglect and Child Abuse on Adult’s Mental Health
In the dusty alleyways of Surulere, Lagos, nine-year-old Emeka learned early that food was scarce and affection scarcer. His mother worked two jobs; his father was gone. School uniforms frayed, lunches missed, and the sting of a teacher’s reprimand for smelling of hunger became Emeka’s daily reality. This childhood neglect is common yet often unseen in Nigeria’s bustling cities left invisible scars that followed him into adulthood.
By age twenty-eight, Emeka landed a steady banking job, but panic attacks struck whenever his manager raised a voice. He couldn’t form close friendships, fearing rejection more than solitude. What he didn’t know was that years of emotional neglect had rewired his stress response, making every raised eyebrow feel like a threat.
Recognizing the Mental Health Impact
Child neglect and abuse in Nigeria don’t just vanish when you grow up, they shape adult mental health. Survivors often suffer from anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. In Emeka’s case, sleepless nights and “imposter syndrome” nearly cost him his promotion.
Lessons from Emeka’s Journey
- Early Warning Signs: Unexplained irritability, chronic fatigue, or an inability to trust can trace back to childhood neglect. If these sound familiar, you’re not alone.
- Breaking the Silence: In many Nigerian homes, talking about feelings feels like a luxury. Emeka found hope when he opened up to a colleague also facing childhood trauma, sharing stories reduced his shame.
- Seeking Professional Help: Therapy isn’t just for “the wealthy.” Community clinics in Lagos and Ibadan now offer affordable counselling. Emeka’s first session with a trauma-informed psychologist helped him reframe harsh childhood memories into teachable moments.
Practical Solutions for Healing
- Trauma-Focused Support Groups: Look for local NGOs or church groups hosting mental-health meetups. Shared experiences foster empathy and resilience.
- Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises: A five-minute breathing break after work calms an overactive stress center. Emeka used a simple “inhale-count-to-four, exhale-count-to-six” routine easy to learn and free.
- Positive Role Models: Mentors in your community such as teachers, coaches, or elder siblings can model healthy relationships. Emeka sought guidance from an uncle who practiced patient listening.
Why This Matters for Nigeria
As urbanization accelerates, more children face neglect or abuse amid economic pressures. By understanding the long-term mental health effects, families and policymakers can invest in early-intervention programs. When a child’s basic needs emotional and physical are met, the cycle of trauma can end.
Emeka’s story shows that breaking free from the shadows of neglect is possible. With community support, affordable therapy, and daily self-care rituals, survivors can reclaim joy and build healthy relationships. In today’s Nigeria, healing begins when we acknowledge the past and choose a brighter future.
Ayomide Adetoogun
Ayomide Adetoogun is a staff in service to Arogi Trauma Care Foundation. She is solution driven and result oriented. She has a strong passion to always make clients have the best customer service experience.
