Trauma/PTSD
A child that has experienced a traumatic event may find themselves impacted emotionally and mentally for a long time after.
What is Trauma?
Bad things can happen in a child’s life that can hurt them mentally and emotionally. One or more traumatic experiences- events so scary they make the individual fear for their life or someone else’s life- may leave a child with an intense feeling of fear and loss, making them feel that they have a lot less safety or control over their lives. This is called trauma.
After experiencing a traumatic event, the emotional effects can last a long time. It may be hard to move on, and they may have feelings of helplessness, avoidance, or re-experiencing the scary event. It’s normal to feel affected by scary moments in life, but if these feelings continue past three months, it could be a sign it’s time to get help to process these feelings. For some kids, trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is PTSD?
PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. People are usually diagnosed with this after they have been through a traumatic experience and have trouble recovering. This condition may last for months or even years. People with PTSD usually have certain triggers that bring back memories of the traumatic event.
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If someone you know has PTSD, try to be kind and supportive. Show respect, be patient, and don't judge. Also try to learn more about PTSD, and that person's triggers.
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Signs of Trauma or PTSD
It is important to note that PTSD and the effects of trauma can take different forms in different people and also depends on the traumatic experience. If you believe that you are showing any signs or symptoms of PTSD, talk to your parents or guardian, then your doctor or therapist for a professional opinion.
Some symptoms of PTSD and trauma include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical or emotional reactions.
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Intrusive memories can include distressing dreams or nightmares, feeling like you’re experiencing the traumatic event even when you are safe, invasive memories about the event and/or experiencing significant distress when thinking about the traumatic event.
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Avoidance looks like trying not to think or talk about the traumatic event, as well as avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of the event.
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Negative changes in thinking and mood can include seeing yourself, others, or the world through a negative lens. It can also look like hopelessness about the future, memory issues, difficulty maintaining close relationships, feeling detached from friends and family, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, lacking interest in activities you used to enjoy, and feeling emotionally numb.
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Changes in reactions can include hypervigilance, or being “on guard” for danger when there’s low chance of danger-as well as being easily startled or frightened, self-destructive behaviors, difficulties sleeping and/or concentrating, feeling irritable or aggressive, and/or overwhelming guilt or shame.
Treatments
To overcome conditions such as PTSD, usually people go through trauma
focused psychotherapies and some medications to control the symptoms.​Support from others including trauma-focused therapists can help process and integrate traumatic experiences. There are medications that can improve symptoms of PTSD as well.
This includes:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)​​
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Exposure Therapy
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This helps you safely learn how to sort through and cope with intrusive memories.​
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)​
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Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
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​Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Medication- Make sure to consult with a doctor who specialized in trauma and PTSD​
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SSRIs​
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Coping Skills
References:
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2018, July 6). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967#:~:text=Post%2Dtraumatic%20stress%20disorder%20(PTSD)%20is%20a%20mental%20health,uncontrollable%20thoughts%20about%20the%20event
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​PTSD Facts & Treatment: Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. PTSD Facts & Treatment | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/treatment-facts
If you or somebody that you know has experienced a trauma, or has PTSD, here are some healthy coping skills. Remember it is important to talk to a trusted adult and reach out for help if you feel unsafe.
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Lean on your loved ones. Identify friends or family members for support. If you feel ready to discuss the traumatic event, you might talk to them about your experience and your feelings. You can also ask loved ones to help you with household tasks or other obligations to relieve some of your daily stress.
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Face your feelings. It’s normal to want to avoid thinking about a traumatic event. But not leaving the house, sleeping all the time, isolating yourself from loved ones, and using substances to escape reminders are not healthy ways to cope over time. Though avoidance is normal, too much of it can prolong your stress and keep you from healing. Gradually, try to ease back into a normal routine. Support from loved ones or a mental health professional can help a lot as you get back in the groove.
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Make sure to practice self-care. Do your best to eat nutritious meals, get regular physical activity, and get a good night’s sleep. And seek out other healthy coping strategies such as art, music, meditation, relaxation, and spending time in nature.
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Be patient. Remember that it’s normal to have a strong reaction to a distressing event. Take things one day at a time as you recover. As the days pass, your symptoms should start to gradually improve.