Trauma
Trauma
Trauma is a term used to describe experiences that shock you, experiences you did not expect or that you wished to avoid. Traumatic experiences may be things that you thought would never happen to you. Trauma may describe a one-time occurrence like a natural disaster, car accident, a shooting, or an assault. Trauma may also stem from regular occurrences like witnessing domestic abuse between adults in your home, being hurt by someone who is meant to take care of you, living in a dangerous neighborhood, or being bullied at school.
Trauma includes things that happen to you like bullying and abuse. But when things that are supposed to happen, like regular meals or being adequately cared for, aren't happening, this can cause trauma, too.
Trauma affects your mental and physical health, and can negatively impact health outcomes in adulthood. Trauma is a risk factor for nearly all behavioral health and substance use disorders. In some cases trauma can cause the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event —symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Causes
Psychological, physical, or sexual abuse
Community or school violence
Witnessing or experiencing domestic violence
National disasters or terrorism
Commercial sexual exploitation
Sudden or violent loss of a loved one
Refugee or war experiences
Military family-related stressors (e.g., deployment, parental loss or injury)
Physical or sexual assault
Neglect
Serious accidents or life-threatening illness
Let's Break the Stigma
More than two thirds of children reported at least 1 traumatic event by age 16.
Studies show that about 15% to 43% of girls and 14% to 43% of boys go through at least one trauma. Of those children and teens who have had a trauma, 3% to 15% of girls and 1% to 6% of boys develop PTSD. Rates of PTSD are higher for certain types of trauma survivors.
Treatment
Mental health professionals are trained to address trauma. The most important thing is to see a professional licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. These are some of the therapies that could help you:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) which involves gradual exposure to the trauma through talk therapies, psychoeducation, and relaxation and assertiveness training.
Play Therapy in which children who are unable to discuss their trauma may process it through games, art, or pretend play.
Following a natural disaster or community violence, Psychological First Aid may be a useful intervention. This intervention is focused on normalizing any reaction a person is having to a traumatic event, providing comfort, and teaching coping skills or strategies.
Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers
Through the Child Welfare Information Gateway, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests these steps for supporting a child dealing with the aftereffects of trauma.
Connect your child with a mental health professional. Talk with your student's wellness department, social work department, or their primary care provider to find professional mental health care supports.
Identify trauma triggers. Healing from a traumatic event takes time. In the meantime, work with your teen to identify triggers (sounds, smells, being alone, going to a certain place) and put a plan in place to minimize or avoid them all together while healing continues. For example, physical affection may be triggering to a teen who experienced abuse.
Be emotionally and physically available. Provide comfort and support in a way that it acceptable to your student. For example, if they do not want a hug, try patting their shoulder or offering to hold their hand.
Respond, don't react. Strive to remain calm, cool, and collected when you are interacting with your student. They may be highly alert and more sensitive when recovering from a traumatic event or experiencing PTSD.
Avoid physical punishment. Research shows that corporal punishment is linked to a variety of adverse outcomes, including impaired social-emotional development. And, according to the American Psychological Association, physical punishment is ineffective. It is particularly adverse for children who have experienced trauma and may lead to retraumatization.
Relinquish some control. Encouraging your teen to make choices about things within their sphere of control is empowering.
Listen. Do not avoid conversations about difficult topics and do not force your student to talk about something difficult before they are ready. Consistently remind them that it is not their fault.
Be consistent and predictable. Stick to an expected routine as much as possible and give plenty of notice before big changes or events.
Be patient. Respect that recovery from trauma is often a lengthy process. Give yourself and your teen grace and space to heal.
