As we get to the higher chakras, most of the traumas or abuses also negatively impact the lower chakras. Since the fifth chakra provides the way for communicating with others, the traumas that occur here will likely shut it down, before impacting the other centres. 

Here are five examples of traumas or abuse that can compromise the development of the throat chakra:

1. Fear, Guilt or Shame – Lower Chakras
   Like the polarizing effect they have on the lower chakras, these three shadows can cause a blockage in the throat chakra.  Keeping unexpressed feelings inside compromises the throat chakra and will shut it down. Ever noticed how when you’re afraid to say something, it’s all of a sudden it’s hard to speak?  It’s best to get it off your chest.
2. Keeping Secrets
   The burden of keeping secrets creates a lock on the throat chakra. A child with a family secret, holds that close to them associating the act of withholding information as an act of love.  This restricts the child from any opportunity of developing their fifth chakra since they are forbidden from living in their actual truth. Instead, it leads them to developing an unconscious connection between feeling safe and withholding information–a lifelong pattern that will be detrimental in close relationships.  The same concerns arise if secrets are kept from children–they believe that not expressing how you feel, is the right way to process certain situations, instead of open communication.
3. Mixed Messages
   From a young age, caregivers need to be aware that they are demonstrating integrity; aligning their words with their actions.  As children learn how to develop healthy communication, mixed messages can impede on their development.  If a caregiver is enforcing a child to communicate against their will (or feelings) by making them apologize when they don’t feel sorry, or telling them to act friendly when they really don’t like someone–it is teaching them to lie.  Another example is in abusive situations where the authority says, “I love you” and praises the child, but continues to mistreat and abuse them in the process.  These mixed messages not only effect the development of the solar plexus chakra, but also blocks the throat chakra by instigating its shadow. 
4. Yelling/Screaming
   A young child who grows up in a hostile or toxic environment learns to tune out of heated conversations. This tendency and connection that safety is from not listening, directly impairs their future ability to communicate.
5. Neglect – No Communication – Lower Chakras
   Children learn to communicate by being included in a conversation.  They learn the model for their communication style by imitating those they have interactions with growing up.  Early interactions help them to learn what actually works and how to be effective.  For a child to not experience any engagement or form of communication is not only a sign of neglect from their caregiver, but also a form of abuse as they are learning to develop their voice.  It creates a block that will impede on future relationships as the child never learns to share openly.