Trauma and children

What is trauma?

Trauma occurs when an often sudden or extraordinary external event over whelms a child's capacity to cope, creating inability to mater the feelings caused by the event.

• -         Exposure to natural disasters has a divesting impact on the psychological and social well-being of children, adolescents and adults.

• -          The exposure to a terrifying event as either a victim or a witness can result in intense feelings of fearfulness and helplessness.

• -         Rather than embracing life with a typical sense of openness a traumatized child may retreat defensively.

Much of the time the victim of this violence is an innocent non suspecting child.

Example of traumatic events

• -           Domestic violence
  -         Murder
  -         crime
  -         Hijacking
  -         Kidnapping
  -         bombing
  -         Physical abuse
  -         Sexual abuse
  -         Natural Disaster

•    Hurricane
•   Flash flood 
• Earthquake
• Fire  

• Severe life-threatening accidents or extensive physical injury
• Community violence involving child victims and child witness
• Divorce, serious accidents, abuse 

Trauma causes psychological wounds.

• -         If your children are fearful, reassure them that you love them and will take care of them. Stay together as a family as much as possible.

• -         If behavior at bedtime is a problem, give the child extra time and reassurance. Let him or her sleep with a light or in your room for a limited time if necessary.

• -         Explain the episode of violence or disaster as well as you are able.

• -         Encourage the children to express their feeling and listen without passing judgment. Help younger children learn to use words that express their feelings. However, do not force discussion of the traumatic event.

• -         Let children and adolescents know that is normal to feel upset after something bad happens gradual return to routine can be reassuring to the child

• -         Reassure children and adolescents that the traumatic event was not their fault.

• -         Do not criticize regressive heavier or shame the child with words like "babyish."

• -         Allow children to cry and be sad. Don't expect them to be brave or tough.

• -         Encourage children and adolescent to feel in control. let them make some decisions about meals, what to wear etc.

• -         Take care of yourself so you can take care of the children.

• -         Most children and adolescents, if given support such as that described above, will recover almost completely from the fear and anxiety caused by a traumatic experience within a few weeks.

Some may need longer time

However, some children and adolescents will need more help, perhaps over a longer period of time in order to heal. Grief over the loss of a loved one, teacher, friend, or pen may take months to resolve and may be reawakened by reminders such as media reports or the anniversary of the death.