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The article provides an in-depth understanding of psychological trauma, describing it as an experience of emotional distress resulting from an overwhelming event. It explains how traumatic experiences affect an individual's sense of safety and outlines various events, such as parental loss, accidents, violence, and natural disasters, that can lead to trauma. The article also discusses the immediate responses to trauma, its potential long-term effects, and the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It emphasizes the importance of coping skills and social support in mitigating symptoms and preventing long-term mental health effects.

This is beneficial for teachers in various ways. Firstly, it can help teachers to recognize signs of trauma in students who may be experiencing emotional distress due to overwhelming events. Understanding the potential causes and effects of trauma can enable teachers to offer appropriate support and create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. Furthermore, the emphasis on coping skills and social support underscores the importance of teachers in providing a supportive presence for students who may be dealing with trauma.

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Trauma is a person's emotional response to a distressing experience. Few people can go through life without encountering some kind of trauma. Unlike ordinary hardships, traumatic events tend to be sudden and unpredictable, involve a serious threat to life-like bodily injury or death-and feel beyond a person's control.

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What is Trauma? Understanding Its Impact and Paths to Healing.

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What is Trauma? Understanding Its Impact and Paths to Healing.

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This article is about trauma and its various forms, such as emotional and physical harm resulting from violence, abuse, neglect, natural disasters, or sudden loss. It discusses how trauma can affect individuals directly or indirectly, and gives examples of professions and situations where trauma can be experienced. This could range from experiences of violence, abuse, and neglect to natural disasters or the sudden loss of a loved one. Trauma can be experienced directly, such as by those working in high-stress professions like police officers, or indirectly, like therapists who hear about the traumatic experiences of others.

As a preschool teacher, understanding trauma and its impacts can be valuable in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for the children in your care. Recognizing signs of trauma in young children and knowing how to respond appropriately can help create a safe and secure space for them to learn and grow. Additionally, being aware of potential sources of trauma, such as family situations or community events, can guide you in providing the necessary support for children who may be affected.

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What Is Trauma? Understanding Its Impact and Paths to Healing

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Trauma is a pervasive issue that affects a significant portion of the global population, with about 70 percent of people experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Understanding trauma, its effects, and the paths to healing can offer invaluable insights into both personal and communal well-being.

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This article is about defining trauma and its pervasive effects. It describes trauma as resulting from exposure to emotionally disturbing or life-threatening events, and lists examples of experiences that may be traumatic, including abuse, neglect, living with family members with mental health or substance use disorders, sudden separation from a loved one, poverty, racism, discrimination, and violence in the community or during war or terrorism. The article also emphasizes the long-term effects of trauma, especially on children's developing brains, and discusses adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as a common occurrence across all sectors.

As a preschool teacher, understanding the effects of trauma on young children can be crucial for creating a supportive and nurturing environment. Recognizing signs of trauma in children and being able to provide appropriate support and care can make a significant difference in their well-being and development. Additionally, being aware of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can help in taking preventive measures and creating a safe and inclusive space for all children.

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What is Trauma? - Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center

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Learn about trauma, its causes, and the negative long-term effects of trauma on health and wellbeing.

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This article discusses psychological trauma, which is a response to highly stressful events such as being in a war zone, experiencing a natural disaster, or being in an accident. It explains that trauma can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms and that not everyone who experiences a stressful event will develop trauma. The article also mentions the various types of trauma and how some people may have symptoms that resolve after a few weeks while others may experience more long-term effects. It emphasizes that with treatment, people can address the root cause of the trauma and find constructive ways to manage their symptoms.

As a preschool teacher, understanding psychological trauma can benefit you in several ways. First, it can help you recognize potential signs of trauma in young children who may have experienced highly stressful events. Second, it can assist you in creating a safe and supportive environment for children who may be dealing with trauma. Understanding trauma can also guide you in effectively communicating with parents or guardians to provide the best possible support for the children in your care.

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Psychological trauma is a response to an event that a person finds highly stressful. Examples include being in a war zone, a natural disaster, or an accident. Trauma can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms.

Not everyone who experiences a stressful event will develop trauma. There are also various types of trauma. Some people will develop symptoms that resolve after a few weeks, while others will have more long-term effects.

With treatment, people can address the root cause of the trauma and find constructive ways to manage their symptoms.

In this article, we discuss the various types of trauma, trauma symptoms, and the available treatment options.

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Addressing the root cause of trauma can be an effective way to manage both physical and emotional symptoms.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), trauma is "an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster."

However, a person may experience trauma as a response to any event they find physically or emotionally threatening or harmful.

A traumatized person can feel a range of emotions both immediately after the event and in the long term. They may feel overwhelmed, helpless, shocked, or have difficulty processing their experiences. Trauma can also cause physical symptoms.

Trauma can have long-term effects on the person's well-being. If symptoms persist and do not decrease in severity, it can indicate that the trauma has developed into a mental health disorder called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

There are several types of trauma, including:

Acute trauma: This results from a single stressful or dangerous event.

Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events. Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence.

Complex trauma: This results from exposure to multiple traumatic events.

Secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, is another form of trauma. With this form of trauma, a person develops trauma symptoms from close contact with someone who has experienced a traumatic event.

Family members, mental health professionals, and others who care for those who have experienced a traumatic event are at risk of vicarious trauma. The symptoms often mirror those of PTSD.

The symptoms of trauma range from mild to severe. Many factors determine how a traumatic event affects a person, :

their characteristics

the presence of other mental health conditions

previous exposure to traumatic events

the type and characteristics of the event or events

their background and approach to handling emotions

Emotional and psychological responses

A person who has experienced trauma :

They may have emotional outbursts, find it difficult to cope with how they feel, or withdraw from others. Flashbacks, where a person relives the traumatic event in their mind, are common, as are nightmares.

Physical responses

Along with an emotional reaction, trauma can cause physical symptoms, such as:

Sometimes, a person will also experience hyperarousal, or when someone feels as though they are in a constant state of alertness. This may make it difficult to sleep.

Individuals may also go on to develop other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse problems.

Some research estimates that of people in North America experience a traumatic event at some point. The charity Mind in the United Kingdom lists the following as potential causes of trauma:

bullying

harassment

physical, psychological, or sexual abuse

sexual assault

traffic collisions

childbirth

life threatening illnesses

sudden loss of a loved one

being attacked

being kidnapped

acts of terrorism

natural disasters

war

Traumatic events can be isolated or repeated, ongoing events. A person can also experience trauma after witnessing something traumatic happening to someone else.

People have different reactions to traumatic events. For example, those who live through the same natural disaster can respond very differently despite experiencing the same event.

PTSD develops when the symptoms of trauma persist or get worse in the weeks and months after the stressful event. PTSD is distressing and interferes with a person's daily life and relationships.

Symptoms include severe anxiety, flashbacks, and persistent memories of the event.

Another symptom of PTSD is avoidance behaviors. If a person tries to avoid thinking about the traumatic event, visiting the place where it occurred, or avoiding its triggers, it can be a sign of PTSD.

PTSD may last for years, although treatment can help people to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Risk factors for developing PTSD include:

previous trauma

physical pain or injury

having little support after the trauma

dealing with other stressors at the same time, such as financial difficulty

previous anxiety or depression

Most people who experience a traumatic event do not develop PTSD. The National Institute of Mental Health estimate that the lifetime prevalence of PTSD in the United States is 6.8%.

Research indicates that children are especially vulnerable to trauma because their brains are still developing.

Children experience a heightened state of stress during terrible events, and their bodies release hormones related to stress and fear.

This type of developmental trauma can disrupt normal brain development. As a result, trauma, especially ongoing trauma, can significantly affect a child's long-term emotional development, mental health, physical health, and behavior.

The sense of fear and helplessness may persist into adulthood. It leaves the person at a significantly higher risk of the effects of future trauma.

Several treatments can help people with trauma to cope with their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Therapy

Therapy is a first-line treatment for trauma. Ideally, an individual will work with a trauma informed or trauma focused therapist.

Types of therapy a person with trauma could benefit from include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people to change their thought patterns in order to influence their behaviors and emotions. supports CBT as the most effective approach for PTSD.
Learn more about CBT here.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, is another common trauma therapy.

During EMDR, individuals briefly relive specific traumatic experiences while the therapist directs their eye movements. EMDR aims to help people process and integrate traumatic memories.

Several randomized controlled have demonstrated that EMDR is an effective treatment for PTSD.
Learn more about EDMR here.
Somatic therapies

Some therapists use somatic or body-based techniques to help the mind and the body process trauma.

A review of the literature in the Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia found that body-based therapies could help a range of people. These therapies include:

Somatic experiencing: This approach involves a therapist helping a person to relive traumatic memories in a safe space.

Sensorimotor psychotherapy: This type of therapy combines psychotherapy with body-based techniques to turn traumatic memories into sources of strength.

Acupoint stimulation: This involves a practitioner applying pressure to specific points on the body, which induces a state of relaxation.

Touch therapies: Other touch therapies include Reiki, healing touch, and therapeutic touch therapy.

At present, there is not as much evidence to prove the effectiveness of somatic therapies as there is for CBT and EDMR. Researchers note that more data on these methods will help to determine how they work.

Medications

Medication alone cannot cure trauma or PTSD, but it can help a person manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. A person should talk to their doctor about their options.

Practicing self-care can help individuals to cope with the emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms of trauma. Examples of self-care for trauma include:

Exercise

Trauma can activate the body's fight-or-flight response. Exercise may help mitigate some of these effects.

suggests that aerobic exercise may be an effective therapy for people with PTSD.

Individuals can aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week.

Mindfulness

Mindful breathing and other mindfulness-based exercises can ground people in the present, which can stop them from reliving the traumatic event.

suggest that mindfulness-based treatments are a promising intervention for PTSD, whether alone or in conjunction with other treatments.

Connection with others

Withdrawal from others is a common symptom of trauma. However, connecting with friends and family is important.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, staying in contact with people can help to prevent trauma from becoming PTSD.

It is not necessary to talk about the trauma with other people if it is too difficult. Simply engaging with others can improve mood and well-being. Some people feel a benefit from disclosing the trauma with people they trust.

A balanced lifestyle

A person with trauma may find it difficult to relax or to sleep well. However, sleep, relaxation, and diet all play a role in mental health. If possible, a person should try to:

sleep for 7-9 hours a night

eat a balanced diet

avoid alcohol and drugs

relieve stress with mindful or enjoyable activities

Support

If necessary, people can ask for support from others. This includes talking to trusted loved ones or joining a support group for trauma survivors.

People who experience persistent or severe symptoms of trauma should seek help from a mental health professional. It is especially important to seek help if the trauma symptoms interfere with daily functioning or relationships with others.

Even those with mild symptoms can feel better once they talk to someone.

Most people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. Some may experience symptoms of shock and distress, and most will recover within a short period.

A minority will experience more long-term traumatic effects, such as the development of PTSD. Therapy and self-care can help those with persistent trauma symptoms to manage these symptoms and improve their quality of life.

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What is trauma? Types, symptoms, and treatments

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Psychological trauma is a response to an event that a person finds highly stressful. Examples include being in a war zone, a natural disaster, or an accident. Trauma can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. Not everyone who experiences a stressful event will develop trauma.

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The Importance of Becoming Trauma-Informed

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The Importance of Becoming Trauma-Informed

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This article discusses the lack of awareness and understanding of mental health disorders, particularly complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). It emphasizes the need for greater education among the public and medical professionals to facilitate informed and supportive actions.

Understanding mental health disorders, such as complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), can help preschool teachers create a more supportive and nurturing environment for their students. By being aware of the signs and symptoms of CPTSD, teachers can better understand and assist young children who may be affected. Additionally, having this knowledge can help teachers provide appropriate support to any students who may be dealing with trauma or distress. This can contribute to a more inclusive and understanding classroom environment, benefiting both the students and the teacher.

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Many people are ill-informed or know nothing about mental health disorders, including complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and how it affects those around them. There are hundreds if not thousands of mental health challenges, and unfortunately, the stigma surrounds them.

This article will explore trauma and how the public and medical professionals must learn more so that informed actions can be taken.
The Stigma That Holds Us Back
Early in the 18 th century, people living with a brain disorder such as a reaction to trauma were shut away in their family home in a secluded bedroom, prison, or an almshouse. The treatment they received was inferior, with the main two being bloodletting or substances to cause vomiting. People didn't try to understand the trauma-formed mental health disorder their loved ones had; they just hid them away and treated them as outcasts.

That stigma (discrimination) against people with trauma didn't end with the 19 th century, as in the 1920s and 1930s, the use of asylums increased as more were built. The problem with these asylums is that they lacked hygiene, were overcrowded, and were places of abuse of patients. There was no actual treatment for trauma.

Today, in the 21 st century, things have improved for the traumatized with the dawn of new medications and treatments, but people still do not understand the complicated sphere of trauma-induced mental health problems. This lack of understanding and unwillingness to examine how people living with trauma challenges should be treated led to discrimination.
Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care
Most people have heard the word trauma but are clueless about what the word means. Trauma is an emotional response to a stunning event such as rape, natural disaster, or the sudden death of a loved one. Soon after the event ends, shock and denial set in. However, longer-term reactions include flashbacks, unpredictable emotions, and problems with intimate relationships.

Trauma-informed care is a method of thinking and interventions engaged by learning about the serious neurological, psychological, biological, and social effects trauma has on the traumatized.

Recognizing that someone has been traumatized and then treating them for the terror they still feel inside is critical to helping them heal. Medical professionals must recognize the traumatized needs for connection and safety and offer methods to manage emotions and impulses.
The Importance of Truthful Information for Physicians
The world is awakening slowly to the importance of understanding what trauma is and how to treat it. Becoming trauma-informed is vital for the public and those who treat them because many do not understand trauma.

While there is a lot of research and literature available, we must make sure there is much more truthful information made available. Those who treat mental health patients need not be in the dark or treat those who live with mental health issues, like complex post-traumatic stress disorder, differently than anyone else.
What is Trauma-Informed Approach?
People who become trauma-informed learn about how trauma alters the lives of those who have experienced it. A trauma-informed therapist or another licensed caregiver can recognize through proper training and trauma-informed reading material how to be helpful to their clients and not harmful.

In the United States, there is a federal organization called Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA). They have this to say about trauma and its effects on adults and children.

"Trauma has no boundaries regarding age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Trauma is a common experience for adults and children in American communities, and it is especially common in the lives of people with mental and substance use disorders. For this reason, the need to address trauma is increasingly seen as an important part of effective behavioral health care and an integral part of the healing and recovery process."

But what does trauma-informed mean, and how can a licensed professional learn about the trauma-informed approach? Here again, we can turn to SAMHSA.

On another page on their website, SAMHSA outlines the four principles of the trauma-informed approach for therapists to follow.

1. The therapist must realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand potential roads to recovery.

2. The therapist recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in their clients and their families, plus staff and other people engaged in the mental health system.

3. The therapist responds to traumatized individuals by fully integrating knowledge about trauma policies, procedures, and practices.

4. The therapist will attempt to resist re-traumatizing their client.

By following the trauma-informed approach, therapists can create the right treatment plan for their clients looking for their help.
The Six Trauma-Informed Approach Key Principles
The trauma-informed approach is a how-to aligned with healing-informed care.

By providing and supporting their clients through the trauma-informed approach, therapists, doctors, and other medical professionals boost their patient's healing power.

In the booklet Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services, SAMSHA gives an excellent description of the key principles of the trauma-informed approach.

These fundamental principles involve safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment, and cultural, historical, and gender issues. By offering these key principles in their treatment of their clients, professionals are collaborating with them and opening new doors to healing. I will explain the fundamental principles better in another piece.
Coming Out of the Dark
While trauma and trauma-informed care were neglected in the past, today, a new day is dawning. Many physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other medical community members are waking up to the reality that the problems they see in their offices are often caused by trauma.

We are beginning to learn the depth of the problem of trauma and how we can treat it to give people a fighting chance of recovery. Trauma-informed doesn't just mean knowing what trauma is, and that it causes great harm, but also finding new treatment methods.

The public must also be taught about trauma and how it affects their lives. They must realize the symptoms and mental health disorders we know to accompany trauma.

Only through the spread of copious amounts of literature and other forms of communication can we hope to spread the word about trauma. We must teach them so that they can move forward with their lives, having conquered trauma.
Ending Our Time Together
Trauma is an emotional response to horrific events, such as the sudden loss of a loved one or a natural disaster. It is accompanied by shock, denial, flashbacks, and problems with intimate relationships. It is predicted that 70% of adults in the United States (223.4 million) have experienced some type of trauma at least once in their lives. There is a massive problem with trauma, and using a trauma approach may help.

This first article in the new series on trauma-informed care and the need for more literature on the subject has concentrated on introducing the topic to the reader. In the next two posts, we shall examine how people need to learn about trauma and methods to help them do just that.

The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. - Aristotle

Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival. The goal of resilience is to thrive. - Jamais Cascio

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The Importance of Becoming Trauma-Informed

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Many people are ill-informed or know nothing about mental health disorders, including complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and how it affects those around them. There are hundreds if not thousands of mental health challenges, and unfortunately, the stigma surrounds them.

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The article discusses the impact of acute trauma on a person's mental and physical well-being. It describes how acute trauma can result from sudden, overwhelming short-term events, affecting an individual's ability to cope. It outlines common signs of acute trauma, such as intense fear, confusion, and physical distress symptoms, and highlights the availability of effective treatment options including therapy, medication, and support networks.

As a preschool teacher, understanding the signs and impact of acute trauma can help you recognize and support children who may be experiencing trauma. It can also provide insight into how trauma may affect a child's behavior and development, enabling you to create a more supportive and nurturing environment. Additionally, knowing about effective treatment options can help you connect families with the appropriate resources and support networks to assist children in coping with trauma.

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What Is Acute Trauma? Causes, Signs, & Treatment

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Acute trauma can strike unexpectedly, leaving a profound impact on a person’s mental and physical well-being. It stems from sudden, overwhelming short-term events that affect an individual’s ability to cope. Common signs include intense fear, confusion, and a range of physical distress symptoms. Fortunately, effective treatment options exist, often incorporating therapy, medication, and the support

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Understanding Acute Trauma: Symptoms, Effects, and Coping

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Understanding Acute Trauma: Symptoms, Effects, and Coping

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The article on Rest Equation discusses acute trauma, which is an intense and sudden experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope effectively. This type of trauma often results from unexpected and distressing events like natural disasters, car accidents, or acts of violence.

Understanding acute trauma is valuable for preschool teachers in several ways. Firstly, it enables teachers to recognize the symptoms of acute trauma, allowing them to identify children who may be struggling after a traumatic event. Additionally, this understanding allows teachers to provide appropriate emotional support and create a safe, nurturing environment to help children feel secure. This can be crucial in helping children cope with trauma and thrive in the classroom.

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Understanding Acute Trauma: Symptoms, Effects, and Coping

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Have you ever been blindsided by an event that left your world spinning? That’s acute trauma knocking at your door—a fierce and immediate response to a high-stress incident that can shake you to your core.

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Acute Trauma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment - URP Behavioral Health

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Acute Trauma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment - URP Behavioral Health

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This research article is about the prevalence of traumatic events and their impact on an individual's mental and physical health. It discusses how over 70 percent of respondents reported experiencing a traumatic event, and 30.5 percent were exposed to four or more events. The article emphasizes the widespread nature of trauma and its potential to lead to trauma or stress-related disorders. Additionally, it highlights the connection between acute trauma and acute disorder, shedding light on the toll these conditions can take on an individual's well-being.

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Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Emilio Mantero-Atienza, MD, Ph.D, MPH

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Acute Trauma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment - URP Behavioral Health

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If you’ve experienced a traumatic event, you may be at risk of developing acute stress disorder. Here’s what to know about causes, symptoms, and treatment.

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This article from Khiron Clinics discusses acute trauma, also known as Acute Stress Disorder (ASD). It explains that acute trauma results from a single, overwhelming event, such as sexual abuse or a natural disaster. This event triggers the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to respond to the threat. Normally, the ANS returns to normal once the danger has passed, but in some cases, it remains in a state of high activation, causing persistent feelings of danger and stress.

The article also covers the primary causes and common symptoms of acute trauma, as well as risk factors that can influence the likelihood of developing ASD.

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There are many different types of trauma, and each type is characterised by general and specific symptoms. The main types of trauma are:

This blog will explore acute trauma, more commonly known as Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), along with its primary causes and common symptoms.

What is Acute Trauma? (Acute Stress Disorder)

Acute trauma refers to trauma that has occurred due to a single event. The event itself was so overwhelming that our autonomic nervous system - the branch of the nervous system responsible for survival - became stuck in its threat response. The overwhelming threat, which could have been anything from an instance of sexual abuse to a natural disaster, elicited a threat response in the body. This is supposed to happen. Our autonomic nervous system has worked to respond to threats effectively for thousands of years.

However, for some this threat response is dysfunctional and maladaptive. When faced with a threat, it is normal for the ANS to kick into high gear and mobilise for action, or shut us down to prevent a psychological collapse. Once the threat has passed and we are no longer in danger, the ANS should return to normal. This is the case for many, but for some, the ANS remains in high activation and persistently informs the brain and the body that the threat is still present.

What causes Acute Stress Disorder?

Acute Stress Disorder occurs when a person directly experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. For an event to be traumatic, it usually involves the reality or perception that one's life in danger.

Examples of traumatic events that can lead to ASD include:

Combat

Terrorist attacks

Sudden grief (death of a loved one)

Physical or sexual assault or abuse

Motor accidents

Natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, fires)

Being diagnosed with a life-threatening condition

Risk Factors for Acute Stress Disorder

ASD can affect some more than others. There are certain risk factors to take into account when assessing a person's likelihood of developing ASD. These include:

Availability of resources post-event (food, water, shelter, social support)

Proximity to the event

Similarity to the survivor (if the person was a witness)

Stressors over the previous six months

History of mental illness

Even the healthiest of us can become traumatised, but how that trauma develops and persists varies depending on the above factors. Regarding six-month stressors; when we are frequently stressed, tired, even exhausted, our ability to handle stress diminishes. Stress takes a significant toll on the mind and body, and the longer we are exposed to it, the less resilience we will have in the face of traumatic events.

One's history of mental illness also plays a role in the onset and severity of ASD and its potential to develop into PTSD. This does not just refer to more extreme examples of mental illness either, such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. More common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse make it harder for a person to cope with any trauma that occurs in their life, increases the severity of ASD symptoms, and thus increase the likelihood that PTSD will occur.

How is Acute Stress Disorder Diagnosed?

A person may be eligible for a diagnosis if they have experienced the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder for at least three days. It is not possible to self-diagnose, as an unbiased, objective perspective is needed. A professional healthcare practitioner will assess the person's symptoms, and if they meet the diagnostic criteria for Acute Stress Disorder (as outlined below), then a diagnosis can be made.

Diagnostic criteria for ASD, according to the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, include:

1. Exposure to death or threatened with death, serious injury or sexual violation

2. Experiencing at least 9-14 associated symptoms, categorised under: intrusion, negative mood, dissociation, avoidance, and arousal

3. Duration of the disturbance (symptoms must last at least three days)

4. Significant distress (daily life is impacted by the severity of distress)

5. Symptoms are not due to other causes (pre-existing health condition, substance abuse)

Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder

ASD usually shows up within four weeks after the traumatic event. If unresolved, ASD can develop into PTSD. The symptoms of acute ASD are many, and some may be less noticeable than others from an outsider perspective.

The symptoms of ASD include:

Severe anxiety

Panic

Confusion

Dissociation (numbing, detachment, lack of emotional responsiveness)

Re-experiencing the event (intrusive memories, dreams)

Avoidance (discussion about the event, triggers, loved ones)

Hypervigilance (resulting in insomnia or other sleep problems, poor concentration)

Explosive behaviour (outbursts of anger, high irritability)

Neglect of personal hygiene and grooming

Reduced work or school performance

Substance abuse

Suicidal thoughts

Grief

The Importance of Treatment

The symptoms and effects of acute trauma can be extremely difficult and challenging. It can be hard for an acute trauma survivor to move on from their experience, despite a desire to do so. Due to the related difficulties, some survivors turn to substance use for self-medication.

Alcohol, cannabis, and benzodiazepines are often used to alleviate feelings of stress and overwhelm. However, self-medication is a dangerous path as the relief provided by substances is only temporary. Whatever distress or discomfort has led the person to substance use will return when the effects of those substances inevitably wear off.

What are the goals of treatment for Acute Stress Disorder?

Treatment for ASD is available and typically involves psychotherapy in the form of trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TFCBT). Unlike treatment for PTSD, medication is not usually recommended as a first-line treatment for ASD. If medication is prescribed, it is done so in minimal dosage and for a short course.

Psychotherapeutic treatment for ASD is geared towards:

Reducing the severity of symptoms

Reducing the risk of the client developing PTSD

Restoring a sense of safety and trust in the client

If medication is prescribed, it is used for:

Reduction of the physical symptoms of ASD

Short-term anxiety relief

Acute Stress Disorder is Treatable

Suffering from Acute Stress Disorder can be extremely difficult and challenging, but healing is possible. With professional treatment, the causes of ASD can be addressed and clients can be assessed for any underlying mental health conditions which may be exacerbating their symptoms.

Get in touch
If you have a client, or know of someone who is struggling to heal from psychological trauma, including ASD, reach out to us at Khiron Clinics. We believe that we can improve therapeutic outcomes and avoid misdiagnosis by providing an effective residential program and out-patient therapies addressing underlying psychological trauma. Allow us to help you find the path to realistic, long-lasting recovery. For information, call us today. UK: 020 3811 2575 (24 hours). USA: (866) 801 6184 (24 hours). Sources
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US). Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 57.) Chapter 3, Understanding the Impact of Trauma. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US). Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 57.) Chapter 3, Understanding the Impact of Trauma. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), American Psychiatric Association, Arlington 2013

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In this blog, we explore acute trauma, more commonly known as Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), along with its primary causes and common symptoms.

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Acute Stress Disorder: Definition, Causes and Treatment - Video | Study.com

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Acute Stress Disorder: Definition, Causes and Treatment - Video | Study.com

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“Acute Stress Disorder: Definition, Causes and Treatment” explains what acute stress disorder (ASD) is, its symptoms, and how it differs from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also covers the causes of ASD and the various treatment options available.

Additionally, the video discusses the impact of acute stress disorder on individuals and provides insights into the strategies and therapies that can help individuals manage and overcome this condition.

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Acute Stress Disorder: Definition, Causes and Treatment - Video | Study.com

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When a person experiences intense stress and disassociation after a traumatic event, they may suffer from acute stress disorder. Learn the…

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This article from Cleveland Clinic discusses Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), a short-term mental health condition that can happen within the first month after experiencing a traumatic event. It mentions that symptoms of ASD include anxiety, intense fear or helplessness, flashbacks or nightmares, and feeling numb or detached from one's body. The article also highlights that traumatic events such as natural disasters, assaults, or accidents can cause ASD. In terms of treatment, the primary approach involves psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help manage and reduce symptoms.

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What is acute stress disorder?

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a short-term mental health condition that can occur within the first month after experiencing a traumatic event. It involves stress responses, including:

Intense fear or helplessness.

Experiencing flashbacks or nightmares.

Feeling numb or detached from one's body.

Avoiding situations, places or other reminders related to the traumatic event.

Examples of traumatic events include:

Natural disasters, such as a tornado, fire or flood.

Sexual assault.

Physical assault.

Verbal abuse.

Witnessing bodily harm or death.

Serious accidents, such as a car accident.

Experiencing a severe injury or sudden illness.

War.

Acute stress disorder can affect a person at any stage of life - childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

What's the difference between acute stress disorder and PTSD?

The main difference between acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the length of the symptoms.

Acute stress disorder involves stress reactions that happen between three days and four weeks following a traumatic event. Stress reactions lasting longer than four weeks may meet the criteria for PTSD.

The American Psychiatric Association first classified acute stress disorder as a mental health diagnosis in 1994 in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

What's the difference between adjustment disorder and acute stress disorder?

Adjustment disorder is a mental health condition that happens in response to a stressful life event. The emotional and behavioral symptoms are generally considered more intense than what would be expected for the type of event that occurred.

The difference between acute stress disorder and adjustment disorder is that the stressful event in adjustment disorder (such as losing your job or the ending of a relationship) is typically less traumatic than an event that causes acute stress disorder (such as sexual assault or surviving a mass shooting).

How common is acute stress disorder?

It's difficult for researchers to assess how common acute stress disorder is. This is partly because people may not seek professional help until their symptoms meet the criteria for PTSD.

According to various studies, the prevalence of acute stress disorder following a traumatic event may range from 6% to 33%. The rates also differ for different types of trauma. For example, survivors of accidents or natural disasters show lower rates of ASD. Survivors of violence, such as assaults and mass shootings, show higher rates of ASD.

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Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a short-term mental health condition that can occur within the first month of experiencing a traumatic event.

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Safe and Sound: Helping Children Who Have Experienced Trauma and Adversity

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Safe and Sound: Helping Children Who Have Experienced Trauma and Adversity

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The article is about a series of resources created with support from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Jockey Being Family. These resources are designed to help children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The goal is to help parents, caregivers, and other adults in their lives understand how early trauma may have affected these children. Each guide can be downloaded and shared to provide ideas for how to help children, along with links to additional information and resources.

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Created with support from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Jockey Being Family, this series of resources is designed to help children who have experienced trauma and adversity, by helping their parents, caregivers, and other adults in their lives understand how that early trauma may have affected them. Each guide can be downloaded and shared to provide ideas for how to help children, and links to additional information and resources.

Parents are encouraged to read this guide first to get acclimated to the various resources within this series. This first guide explains how trauma can affect a child's development and behavior, and offers practical strategies for trauma-informed parenting that promote healing and make a family's day-to-day life less stressful.

Parents can complete, print, and share this form with their child's pediatrician. It is important that their child's pediatrician be aware of the child's past experiences, so that they can understand any current struggles in light of those past traumas. This will allow the child's parents and pediatrician to work together to find resources that can support the family in caring for the child, as well as obtain evidence-based treatments for the child.

Parents can share this 1-page guide with other adults involved in their child's life. This may include coaches, dance teachers, parents of the child's friends, etc. It can be helpful for these other adults to understand why a child might have certain fears or behavioral struggles, and understand helpful and unhelpful ways to respond. These adults can learn more and become allies for the child.

This guide is specifically designed to help child welfare workers better understand the effects of early adversity and trauma on the children and youth they serve. When caseworkers better understand the emotional, developmental, and behavioral needs of the children and youth they serve, they are better equipped to help the caregivers and other adults in the lives of those children and youth understand and meet those needs. This guide can also be used for training and professional development.

Parents can share this resource with their child's early education and child care providers. Like the other guides, this guide explains how early adversity and trauma can affect young children and offers early education and child care providers specific ways they can help children heal. This guide can also be used for training and professional development.

Parents can share this resource with their child's school and teachers. Like the other guides, this guide explains how early adversity and trauma can affect children and youth, and offers educators specific ways they can promote healing. This guide can also be used for training and professional development.

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Safe and Sound: Helping Children Who Have Experienced Trauma and Adversity

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Discover resources is designed to help their parents, caregivers and other adults understand how that early trauma may have affected children and youth in foster care.

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The TEDx talk “Trauma in Children: What You Can Do to Help” by Dr. Uchenna Umeh, also known as Dr. Lulu, focuses on the impact of trauma on children and how it can lead to suicidal behavior. Dr. Lulu, a pediatrician and youth suicide activist, shares her personal and professional experiences with childhood trauma and emphasizes that trauma, rather than mental illness, is often the root cause of suicidal tendencies in children.

She discusses the signs, risk factors, and triggers of suicide in children and stresses the importance of offering empathy, compassion, and effective support to at-risk youth. Dr. Lulu also challenges the audience to join her in creating a youth suicide-free world by 2025.

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Trauma in Children: What You Can Do to Help | Uchenna Umeh | TEDxAlief

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The article “Helping Your Child Heal After Trauma” from Nemours KidsHealth provides guidance for parents on how to support their children after experiencing a traumatic event. Trauma can result from events like abuse, violence, accidents, natural disasters, or significant losses. It can deeply affect a child’s sense of safety and trust. Children may feel scared, sad, angry, or guilty. They might experience changes in behavior, mood, or sleep patterns. Some children may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is recommended. This therapy helps children express their feelings, learn coping skills, and gradually face their fears. Parents play a crucial role in this process by providing support and practicing coping strategies at home. Parents are encouraged to spend quality time with their children, use kind words, show love through actions, and establish soothing routines. These actions help children feel safe and supported.

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Parents do everything they can to protect their children. But sadly, many kids have gone through trauma.

A trauma is any event that is deeply upsetting, scary, or harmful. Things like abuse, violence, accidents, or natural disasters can be traumas. Becoming homeless, losing a parent, or a serious illness can be traumas too.

Traumas are serious events that cause kids to fear for their life or safety.

After a trauma, the emotional effects can last a long time. It can be hard to move on. For some kids, trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

But kids can recover after trauma. There is therapy that can help. Kids also need extra support and comfort from parents.

How Does Trauma Affect Kids?

Trauma affects a child's sense of safety and trust. After a trauma, kids can still feel tense or scared. Some feel alone, sad, angry, or guilty. They may think they are to blame for what happened to them. For some kids, there's a loss of self-esteem or dignity. For some, there's deep grief.

Trauma also can affect a child's mood, behavior, or sleep. Some kids become depressed. They might act grumpy or seem sad. Some get in trouble more often, or do worse in school. Some have new fears, or trouble sleeping. Some have upsetting memories, called flashbacks. Often, kids avoid things that remind them of what they've been through.

After a trauma, some kids share how they feel. But other kids keep things to themselves. They may try to hide how they feel, or try to push it out of their minds. They may think others expect them to "get over it." Some just don't have words for their feelings. For any of these reasons, a parent might not know what their child is going through.

How Does Therapy Help Kids Heal After a Trauma?

Therapy gives kids a way to safely share their feelings, tell their story, and get support. In therapy, kids learn to talk about what they've been through. They learn coping and calming skills. They learn to adjust the way they think and feel about the trauma. Slowly, they learn to face things they used to avoid. Therapy helps kids find their own courage and gain confidence.

Child therapy for trauma is called trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (or TF-CBT). Therapy includes talk, play, and learning activities that heal trauma.

TF-CBT helps parents too. It's natural for parents to feel upset about what their child has been through. In therapy, parents get the support they need. They get advice on how to help their child at home.

In TF-CBT, parents can play a big role in their child's healing. They are coached to listen in ways that help their child open up, talk, and feel close. They help their child practice coping skills at home. They share in the good feelings as their child makes progress.

How Can I Find Therapy for My Child?

Talk to your child's doctor. Let them know what your child has been through. Your child's doctor cares about your child's mental health too.

Ask your child's doctor to refer you to a trained child therapist who can help. You might need to take your child to therapy once a week for a few months. But you'll see progress along the way.

How Can I Give My Child the Extra Support They Need?

After a trauma, kids need your support and comfort more than ever. Be sure to:

Spend time with your child. Do things that are soothing, relaxing, or fun. Cook together, take a walk, play, read, make art, or sing. Try to do this every day, even if it's only for a few minutes.

Parent with patience and warmth. Use kind words. Give praise when your child is doing well or trying hard. Let your child know you're proud of them. Be patient when they make a mistake. Show them how to try again.

Show love. Use hugs, smiles, words, and caring actions to show your love. Use soothing words and offer comfort when your child is upset.

Have soothing routines. Take a few minutes at bedtime (or any time) to read a story, snuggle together, or sing to your young child. For older kids, make it a routine to give a good night hug, along with a few minutes to talk, listen, or laugh together. Those extra few minutes with you can help your child feel calm, safe, and relaxed.

These may seem like small things - things you already do. But giving extra support and time keeps your child feeling loved and close to you. After a trauma, that closeness matters more than ever.

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Helping Your Child Heal After Trauma (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth

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Kids can recover after trauma with help from therapy and extra support and comfort from parents.

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The article "Helping Very Young Children Cope after a Trauma" from Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers guidance for caregivers on supporting very young children (infants, toddlers, and preschoolers) after a traumatic event. Some key points to remember include recognizing behavioral changes in children after trauma, implementing support strategies such as maintaining a routine, encouraging emotional expression, practicing patience and comfort, providing simple explanations, and emphasizing the importance of parental self-care. Caregivers need to manage their own emotions and seek support to create a calm and stable environment for the child.

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Understanding these statistics can help educators, parents, and policymakers develop more effective strategies to prevent and address bullying. Bullying statistics provide important insights into the prevalence, types, and effects of bullying among students. About 20% of students aged 12-18 report being bullied at school, including various forms of bullying such as physical, verbal, and social bullying. Female students report being bullied at a higher percentage compared to male students, with females being more likely to experience social bullying, such as being the subject of rumors or being excluded from activities. Bullying often occurs in school hallways, classrooms, cafeterias, and online. Students who are bullied are at increased risk for mental health issues like depression and anxiety, as well as academic challenges and lower school attendance. Nearly half of the students who are bullied report the incidents to an adult at school. Understanding these statistics can help educators, parents, and policymakers develop more effective strategies to prevent and address bullying.

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Almost one out of every four students (22%) report being bullied during the school year (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2015). Rates of bullying vary across studies (from 9% to 98%).

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If you or someone you know is dealing with bullying or cyberbullying, it's important to know that there are resources available to help. This includes immediate assistance for those in danger, guidance on reporting bullying incidents, access to support resources such as helplines and counseling services, and prevention tips for creating a safer environment. These resources are designed to provide practical assistance and support to those affected by bullying, ensuring they have access to the help they need.

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If you or someone you know is being bullied, there are things you can do to keep yourself and others safe from bullying.

If you or someone you know is involved in cyberbullying, it is important to document and report the behavior.

If you have done everything you can to resolve the situation and nothing has worked, or someone is in immediate danger, there are ways to get help.

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If you have done everything you can to resolve the situation and nothing has worked, or someone is in immediate danger, there are ways to get help. Find out more at StopBullying.gov.

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Understanding these aspects can help in creating effective prevention and intervention strategies. As a preschool teacher, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment early on can be crucial in mitigating bullying behaviors later. It's important to teach children about empathy, kindness, and respect for others from a young age to promote positive social interactions and reduce the likelihood of bullying.

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Research and statistics in relation to the prevalence of bullying.

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) discusses the effects of bullying on children and teens. Bullying can have a significant impact on mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, substance use, and in some cases, even suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Children who are bullied may exhibit signs of anger, frustration, loneliness, and isolation, as well as stress and anxiety. Additionally, bullying can negatively affect a child’s school performance, social interactions, and self-image, and lead to academic challenges. Physical symptoms such as unexplained injuries or frequent complaints of feeling unwell may also be present

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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Being bullied can severely affect a child's or teen's self-image, social interactions, or school performance, and can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance use, and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Signs that a child is being bulled may be physical, emotional, behavioral, social, or academic. Short- and long-term effects of bullying may include:

Stress, anxiety, and depression

Anger or frustration

Loneliness and isolation

Feelings of rejection, or poor self-esteem

Changes in sleep and eating patterns

Health complaints

Poor relational skills

School avoidance, including missing or dropping out of school

Poor academic performance

Separation anxiety

Self-injury

Eating disorders

Suicidal or homicidal ideas or actions

Youth who witness bullying, known as bystanders, can also be affected. Bystanders may feel guilty about their own inaction, may feel unsafe at school, and can also be at increased risk for depression, anxiety, drug abuse, and absenteeism from school.

Children or teens who have been exposed to trauma and violence may be more likely to:

Bully others

Be more distressed by bullying or appear desensitized to bullying

Be the targets of bullying themselves

The relationship between trauma and bullying is complex. Being bullied can lead to traumatic stress reactions including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. For example, a 2012 study (Idsoe, Dyregov, & Idsoe, 2012) found that for all students who experienced bullying, 27.6% of boys and 40.5% of girls had PTSD scores within the clinical range. Symptoms were even worse for those students who both bullied others and had been the targets of bullying themselves.

Children who have experienced trauma are more likely to be bullied and to engage in bullying behavior. In some cases, children who experience trauma may develop social or interpersonal difficulties, making them more likely to become targets of bullying. Studies of Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, have found that children who report more ACEs are also more likely to exhibit bullying behavior (Sacks, et al., 2014).

Although it is important to identify when a student is being bullied, the power of language can have unintended consequences. Instead of referring to "bullies" and "victims," more appropriate language includes "the child who bullied another student" (rather than "the bully") or "the student who was bullied" (rather than "the victim").

Simply labeling a student as a "bully" or "victim" can perpetuate

a lack of hope or belief that there can be a change in behavior for someone who bullies or a change in the social-emotional impact that results from being bullied.

labels that serve to define a youth's role in the school community and society.

a focus only on the individual without considering the external context in which the bullying occurred, such as in a school with a negative school climate or a home with domestic violence that can influence, perpetuate, and even shape behaviors between peers, students, and the adults on campus.

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Bullying can severely affect a child's or teen's self-image, social interactions, or school performance, and can lead to mental health problems.

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The article “Bullying and Trauma” discusses the connection between bullying and trauma, emphasizing how bullying can be a traumatic experience for children and teens. It highlights the impact of bullying, stating that it can have lasting effects on everyone involved, including the person being bullied, bystanders, and the person who bullies others. The article also advocates for trauma-informed approaches in schools to help prevent bullying and support students who have experienced trauma, emphasizing the role of adults, such as parents, caregivers, teachers, and other trusted adults, in preventing and addressing bullying. This resource can benefit preschool teachers interested in trauma-informed care and creating a supportive environment for their students.

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Bullying can have lasting impacts on everyone involved: the person being bullied; bystanders who witness the bullying; and the person who bullies others. In fact, bullying is considered an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE). ACEs are potentially traumatic events that can have negative, lasting effects on a person's development, the way they interact with others, and how they perform in school. Research has shown that children reporting more ACEs may be more likely to exhibit bullying behavior.

Understanding Trauma

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines trauma as a result of an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that an individual experiences as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening. These experiences can have lasting adverse effects on a person's mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual wellbeing.

Childhood traumatic stress occurs when traumatic events overwhelm a child's or teenager's ability to cope, such as:

Neglect and psychological, physical, or sexual abuse

Domestic violence or intimate partner violence

Community and school violence (including bullying)

Natural disasters

Terrorism, war, and refugee experiences

Serious accidents, life-threatening illness, or sudden or violent loss of a loved one

Military family-related stressors, such as parental deployment, loss, or injury

While each child may react differently to trauma, parents, caretakers, and teachers may be able to recognize some signs of traumatic stress. For example, preschool children may have nightmares or fear of separation. Elementary school children may feel shame or anxiety, or have trouble concentrating. Kids in middle and high school may show signs of depression or engage in self-harm behaviors. Child trauma survivors are more likely to have academic problems and increased involvement with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

The Connection between Bullying and Traumatic Stress

Every individual is different and incidents that traumatize one person may not affect another. As stated by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), children or teens who have been exposed to trauma and violence may be more likely to bully others and be bullied.

Some children who experience trauma and bullying may have strong feelings of distress, while other children may appear desensitized. As an example, a study on bullying and post-traumatic stress found that some children may repress their thoughts or feelings about what took place. This can lead to numbness or loss of interest in activities. This study also found that children may experience intrusive thoughts, such as sudden flashbacks of their bullying experience. It is important that caregivers understand how to respond to bullying and are sensitive to possible traumatic stress.

What Helps After Trauma from Bullying

Parents, teachers, and other trusted adults can help children or teens who experience traumatic stress from bullying. According to NCTSN's Effective Treatments for Youth Trauma, some approaches that help children and teenagers who have experienced trauma, including bullying, are:

Ensuring the child or teen is safe and seek ways to prevent future bullying experiences

Talking through what happened and why, to help clear up misconceptions about their role in the traumatic event

Teaching stress management and relaxation techniques, to help them cope

Some children and teenagers may also need professional help to treat stress related from bullying and/or other traumatic experiences. Healthcare providers can make referrals for treatment.

How Schools and Teachers Can Help

Schools can adopt a trauma-informed approach, by training teachers and staff skills to handle and recognize traumatic stress or other signs of trauma. These skills allow teachers to help or find other supports and services for students in need.

Resources like the Trauma-Sensitive Schools Training Package from The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) may help schools adopt trauma-informed approaches to create safe and supportive learning environments. These include:

Educating school staff about trauma and its effects

Promoting physical and emotional safety in relationships and the environment

Reducing trauma-related triggers in the school environment

Considering trauma in all assessment and protocol behavior plans

Ensuring students and families have voice, choice, and empowerment

By adopting trauma-informed approaches, schools can help prevent bullying and trauma at school, and provide a positive school culture for both students and staff.

Parents, caregivers, teachers, and schools all play an important role in preventing and addressing bullying and its harmful effects.

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Childhood traumatic stress occurs when traumatic events, including bullying, overwhelm a child's or teenager's ability to cope.

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The problem of bullying starts, and ends, with us.

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The problem of bullying starts, and ends, with us.

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“The problem of bullying starts, and ends, with us” by Toki. The video emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing bullying within our communities. It highlights the role that individuals and communities play in preventing and stopping bullying by raising awareness and taking proactive steps.

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The problem of bullying starts, and ends, with us | Stephanie Lee | TEDxYouth@SanDiego

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Here's Why Trauma Is So Common (A Deep Dive Into Understanding Trauma).

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Here's Why Trauma Is So Common (A Deep Dive Into Understanding Trauma).

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“Here’s Why Trauma Is So Common (A Deep Dive Into Understanding Trauma)” explores the pervasive nature of trauma and its profound impact on various aspects of life. It delves into what trauma is and how it manifests in different problems, why trauma is so common, and the five domains it affects: affect, consciousness, self-perception, relationships, and somatic self. The concept of coercive control, a key element of traumatic experiences, and its effects on autonomy and risk-taking are also discussed. Furthermore, the video offers solutions for trauma, including safety and stabilization, emotional coping, and meditation. It provides a comprehensive understanding of trauma and offers practical insights for managing its effects.

This is beneficial for preschool teachers as it provides a deep understanding of trauma and its impact on individuals. By watching this video, preschool teachers can gain insight into how trauma can manifest in young children and the potential effects on their behavior and development. Understanding trauma can help preschool teachers create a supportive and nurturing environment for children who may have experienced trauma. Additionally, the video offers practical solutions for managing the effects of trauma, which can be valuable for preschool teachers in supporting their students' well-being.

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Here's Why Trauma Is So Common (A Deep Dive Into Understanding Trauma)

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How to Heal From Trauma: 20 Tips From a Trauma-Informed Therapist

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How to Heal From Trauma: 20 Tips From a Trauma-Informed Therapist

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The article "How to Heal From Trauma: 20 Tips From a Trauma-Informed Therapist" offers practical advice and strategies for individuals recovering from trauma. It emphasizes a trauma-informed approach, focusing on understanding the root causes of distress and creating a safe, supportive environment for healing. Some key points covered in the article include acknowledging the traumatic event as a crucial first step in the healing process, seeking support from loved ones, support groups, or therapists, practicing self-care, building resilience, and discussing therapeutic techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

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How to Heal From Trauma: 20 Tips From a Trauma-Informed Therapist

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Healing from trauma is possible, even if your experiences feel overwhelming. Start by acknowledging the event and seeking support from loved ones. Maintaining mental, physical, and emotional well-being is also crucial, so prioritize self-care and positive activities. Trauma recovery takes time and optimism, but the outcomes are worth the effort.

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Powerful Strategies to Undo PTSD: Rewiring the Traumatized Brain

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Powerful Strategies to Undo PTSD: Rewiring the Traumatized Brain

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This video focuses on healing from PTSD by rewiring the brain and nervous system. It covers the impact of trauma on the brain, body, emotions, cognition, environment, and relationships. The video also provides various strategies for healing, such as strengthening vagal tone, reducing inflammation, preserving neurons, increasing neurogenesis, grounding and coping techniques, managing anxiety and triggers, and developing emotional intelligence. Additionally, it offers practical tips for daily life to help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. Useful tips for daily life to help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.

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Powerful Strategies to Undo PTSD: Rewiring the Traumatized Brain

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"How to Heal the Traumatized Brain" discusses how trauma affects the brain and offers insights into healing. The article highlights the following key points:

1. Brain Plasticity: The brain can grow and evolve throughout life, which means trauma survivors can leverage this plasticity to heal.

2. Fear and Thinking Centers: Trauma often leads to excessive activation in the brain’s fear centers (like the amygdala) and reduced activation in thinking areas (like the prefrontal cortex).

3. Therapy and Mindfulness: These practices can help reduce activation in the fear center and promote healthy emotional expression.

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Have you suffered a trauma and wonder why you feel so anxious and out of control? The answers are in your brain.

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7 Things to Remember on Your Trauma Recovery Journey

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7 Things to Remember on Your Trauma Recovery Journey

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7 Things to Remember on Your Trauma Recovery Journey” provides key reminders to help individuals navigate the complex process of healing from trauma. Here are the main points covered:

1. Recovery Happens in Stages

2. Set Your Own Pace

3. Consider Your Whole Self

4. Growth is Possible

5. Self-Care is Essential

6. Social Support is Crucial

7. Trauma-Informed Care

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Trauma describes your emotional response to an experience that makes you feel threatened, afraid, and powerless.

There's no set threshold of what harm is "bad enough" to cause trauma. A traumatic event could involve a single brush with death, like a car crash. But traumatic events can also be complex, or ongoing and repeated over time, like neglect or abuse.

Since threats can involve physical or psychological harm, trauma doesn't always leave you with visible injuries. But it can still linger long-term, as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Trauma can challenge your ideas of how the world works and who you are as a person. This disruption can have a ripple effect on all corners of your life, from your plans for the future to your physical health and relationship with your own body.

Healing from such a profound change often takes a long time, and trauma recovery isn't always pretty, or linear. Your journey may involve obstacles, detours, and delays, along with setbacks and lost ground. You may have no idea where you're going or how to get there - but that's OK.

Just as trauma can take many different forms, trauma recovery take a multitude of paths. There's no official roadmap, but keeping these 7 considerations in mind may prove helpful along your way.

Trauma isn't something you can just "get over" with a snap of your fingers. Recovery, as a general rule, involves a number of tasks to work through, and you can't really skip any of these.

1. Pre-trauma characteristics. These refer to the traits and viewpoints you held before the trauma. You can think of this stage as your general state when the trauma occurs.

2. Rumination. In this stage, your brain works to process the trauma and figure out what happened. You may have a lot of strong feelings and intrusive memories at this stage.

3. Event centrality. This stage marks a turning point. Here, you take stock of how trauma has changed your life and what you want to do going forward.

4. Control. In this stage, you begin taking active steps to change your life and cope with your trauma symptoms.

5. Mastery. Here, you begin to adjust to your new, post-trauma life, refining your coping skills as you go. While the trauma may still affect you, at this stage it no longer controls your life.

Your recovery journey may not follow these steps exactly. These steps offer more of a rough framework than a pattern you need to trace precisely.

Other models of trauma recovery may divide the journey into a different number of stages, or steps. The overall arc tends to remain the same, though.

You may find it comforting to read stories about other people who experienced similar traumatic events.

And certainly, recovery narratives can offer some inspiration and help you feel less alone. That said, try to avoid the temptation to use someone else's story as a measuring stick to judge your own journey.

envy how rapidly they adjusted

feel guilty for lashing out when they remained stoic

wonder why your recovery doesn't resemble theirs more closely

It's important to keep in mind, though, that your journey is yours alone.

Even if someone faced an identical trauma, they still likely had different experiences before the trauma and found themselves in a different environment afterwards.

To put it another way, it's not a fair race if the competitors run completely different courses.

The only accurate way to track your own recovery? Consider where you started from. And remember, another person's success doesn't erase your progress.

Trauma doesn't happen in a vacuum, and neither does healing.

Say you've survived a sexual assault. A range of factors, like your gender, age, ethnic background, sexual orientation, and religion, can influence how you respond to that trauma. Trauma care programs should always take those parts of your identity into account.

According to a 2014 Canadian study, Indigenous survivors of sexual assault benefited from culture-informed care that incorporated traditional healing approaches.

These culture-informed care approaches acknowledged the effects of colonization and racism on their current traumas. It also made use of spiritual and communal strengths that mainstream mental health care neglected to incorporate.

It's the recovery process that leads to improvement, not the trauma itself. In other words, you can become stronger in spite of that pain and hurt, not because of it.

Know, too, that, post-traumatic growth isn't all or nothing. Many people experience a mix of growth and challenges. You may find, for example, that recovery leaves you with more gratitude for the small pleasures in life - but also more vulnerable than before.

Society, as a whole, doesn't always have patience with the healing process. During your recovery journey, you may encounter people who tell you to "move on" from your trauma or "just get over it already" and return to the status quo. Of course, this advice often better serves their needs than yours.

Trauma often proves both physically and emotionally draining, and you may need more rest during recovery than you think. It's always OK to take naps, relax with a nostalgic TV show or book, or simply sit quietly when you need a break.

More of a fighter than a feeler? You might think of self-care as an act of spite against the outside forces that tried to hurt you. In short, you're taking direct action to protect your body and soul from any future harm.

Sometimes, pleasure can offer a victory in itself.

For many people, social support makes up a vital part of recovery from trauma. Many trauma survivors have found that bonds with family, romantic partners, and friends deepen as they begin the vulnerable process of recovery.

That said, you may not feel safe disclosing your trauma to everyone in your social circle if someone in your community hurt you. If that's the case for you, connecting with a peer support group could be a good option. In a support group, people who share similar traumas work to help each other toward recovery and healing.

Support groups are typically free and confidential. But if you want additional discretion, you can join support groups online, from the privacy of your home.

Support from a mental health professional, particularly a trauma-informed therapist, can often have benefit as you work toward healing.

When to get support
It may be time to reach out to a professional if the effects of trauma:

disrupt your typical eating and sleeping patterns

make it hard to focus on daily activities

affect your mood and overall mindset

contribute to relationship conflict

affect your performance at school or work

This guide can help you start your search for the right therapist.

Trauma-informed physical and mental healthcare is designed to support the unique needs of trauma survivors through:

Emotional safety. Trauma-informed healthcare professionals take care to discuss your history without making you relive your trauma or triggering post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Cultural sensitivity. Your therapist should have a working knowledge of your cultural background and understand common jargon and social norms.

Agency. Trauma-informed care aims to restore your sense of control and power, helping you capitalize on your strengths.

Social connection. Your therapist may encourage you to connect with fellow trauma survivors and community resources.

Therapists can incorporate a trauma-informed approach to care into almost any type of therapy.

Recovery from trauma can take a lot of time and hard work, but it's absolutely possible.

Keep in mind, though, that recovery does tend to be a gradual process. Having patience with yourself, not to mention plenty of self-compassion, can make a big difference.

And always remember, you don't have to make your journey alone. Loved ones and other survivors can provide emotional support, while therapists can offer more professional guidance.

Emily Swaim is a freelance health writer and editor who specializes in psychology. She has a BA in English from Kenyon College and an MFA in writing from California College of the Arts. In 2021, she received her Board of Editors in Life Sciences (BELS) certification. You can find more of her work on GoodTherapy, Verywell, Investopedia, Vox, and Insider. Find her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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7 Things to Remember on Your Trauma Recovery Journey

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No two trauma recovery journeys take the exact same shape. Wherever your path takes you, these reminders can help smooth the road ahead.

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Trauma and the Brain: Impact and Healing Pathways

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Trauma and the Brain: Impact and Healing Pathways

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"Trauma and the Brain: Impact and Healing Pathways" explains how traumatic experiences affect the brain and discusses potential healing pathways. It highlights the impacts on the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, as well as the potential for healing through neuroplasticity and therapeutic interventions. Understanding these concepts is crucial for creating supportive environments, particularly for young children who have experienced trauma. This knowledge empowers educators and caregivers to provide essential support for healing and resilience.

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Trauma and the Brain: Impact and Healing Pathways

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Trauma shapes our lives in profound ways, often leaving its mark where we least expect it: deep within our brains.

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Calming Trauma - How Understanding the Brain Can Help

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Calming Trauma - How Understanding the Brain Can Help

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"Calming Trauma - How Understanding the Brain Can Help" discusses the impact of trauma on the brain and methods to facilitate healing. Trauma can greatly affect brain function, particularly in areas related to fear, emotion regulation, and rational thinking. When an individual experiences trauma, the brain's fear center becomes overactive, while regions responsible for thinking and emotion regulation may become less active. This imbalance can result in heightened stress responses and difficulty managing emotions. Understanding these changes can aid in developing effective strategies for calming the brain and promoting healing.

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Talking through the event was thought to help a person understand the trauma and slowly desensitize themselves to the emotional intensity of it. The goal was to try to deal with the story in the rational part of the brain. Although these therapies were helpful to a point, they did not address the sensory responses in the body.

In the last 18 years, brain scan technology has allowed us to gain insight into the difference between what happens when people talk about past trauma and what happens when their body is re-experiencing it. We have learned that talk therapy attempts to engage parts of the brain that are "off-line" and therefore is not able to resolve the trauma when people are in hyper-distressed states.

Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD, a leading psychiatrist in the trauma field, says, "Traditionally we've tried to heal PTSD through talking and making meaning of the event, but treatment methods that help calm arousal systems in the deeper regions of the brain have been helpful in calming PTSD more than those that try to do so through talking and reasoning. We call this 'bottom-up processing.'

Today we recognize that the frontal part of the brain has limited ability to change the deeper parts of the brain, especially when the body is in a trauma response or distress. Talk therapy works when the brain is online and functioning, but when the rational part of the brain is hijacked by the trauma memory, people may not hear words or reasoning or make meaning of events and experiences. When the deeper regions of the brain are in this state of distress, survivors are back in the trauma and their brain and body seem to be in a time warp.

CALMING THE DEEPER REGIONS OF THE BRAIN

To calm those deeper regions of the brain, we start with "bottom-up processing," utilizing the kinds of treatment that will soothe and calm the body. When someone is in an activated or hyperarousal state, we do not want to ask them trauma questions that can escalate distress and further imprint the trauma into the limbic system. The goal for therapeutic interventions is to bring oxygen and blood flow back to the brain, so we can start calming the body and accessing the higher regions of the brain.

Van Der Kolk addresses this issue stating, "Taking action is the core issue. It's inaction that people take back their power and create healing, and words cannot substitute for action.

EMDR

There are a number of ways to bring action to the body and brain. One treatment option today that utilizes action to immobilize the body and brain is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to alternately engage both sides of the brain in action. Originally this was done by having a person follow a therapist's finger back and forth, in front of his or her vision field.

This bilateral movement causes the traumatic memory that is looping in the emotional side of the brain to integrate with the cognitive part of the brain. The eye and brain movement increases the ability of the prefrontal cortex to "get online" or find rationality in the traumatic event.

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trauma brain brain trauma burn survivor survivor limbic system and trauma

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Calming Trauma - How Understanding the Brain Can Help

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Learn how to calm trauma through an important understanding in how the brain and body function during trauma. Learn about the forebrain, or the prefrontal cortex, and the limbic system, which is located in the center of the brain, and the brain stem.

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This article guides dealing with the loss of a loved one. It acknowledges that grieving is a complex and deeply personal process and offers advice on moving forward and finding healing. The article emphasizes that it's important to understand that everyone grieves differently and that there is no "right" way to handle grief.

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While death is a natural part of life, losing someone we love can still produce complicated, hard-to-process emotions. We aren't always sure how to grieve properly or move forward in life after a family passes away. Suppose you've experienced loss and are wondering how to cope with bereavement. In that case, this article can advise navigating the grief process, working through your emotions, and ensuring you're caring for your mental and emotional health.

Addressing The Death Of A Family

Grieving the loss of a loved one can be painful, often causing individuals to adopt maladaptive behaviors or experience unwanted emotions in response. Some people have a hard time accepting the death, instead throwing themselves into work, declining to discuss the relative who passed, or otherwise preoccupying themselves. Other people repress their emotions or find potentially unhealthy ways to express or manage them, such as through substance use or risky behavior. Difficulty processing your feelings regarding the passing of a relative can prompt emotional, mental, and even physical health concerns.

Despite the complications often inherent in bereavement, it is possible to navigate the grieving process in a healthy manner. If you're experiencing difficult emotions arising from the death of a family-anger, guilt, despair, shock, disbelief, confusion-it can help you know what to expect going forward and how to work through your feelings. In the following sections, we're going to outline the stages of grief and provide you with tips for coping with the loss of a loved one.

The Five Stages Of Grief

Individuals who experience the death of a loved one often go through the , which are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Typically, each person will experience the preceding stages at their own pace. You may also experience these stages out of order, skip some altogether, or cycle through certain stages multiple times before reaching the acceptance stage. While you may never "get over" the loss of a family, acceptance can help you manage your emotions and move forward in life.

Denial

Often experienced as the initial stage of grief, denial is a common defense mechanism. On some level, the individual likely knows their relative has passed, but denying the death can help them avoid having to confront potentially complex emotions. Denial can be problematic when it prevents an individual from expressing their emotions and acknowledging the reality of the situation.

Anger

Anger after the loss of a relative can come in many forms and may be directed towards a variety of individuals. An individual may become angry at medical staff, other families , friends, and even the relative who passed.

Although anger is often a natural part of dealing with a death in the family, constructively managing this emotion can be important to your mental health. Anger can be problematic when you do not have an outlet for it. If you're having trouble dealing with angry feelings, consider exercising, spending time in nature, practicing self-care, or engaging in relaxing activities.

Bargaining

In most cases, bargaining takes the form of a sort of truce or plea to a higher power (e.g., "If you bring them back, I'll never curse again"). Bargaining is a way of trying to take a measure of control over the situation. People may go through 'what ifs' during the bargaining stage, asking themselves, for example, What if I'd been there?

If you're struggling to process this stage of grief, consider reframing these unwanted thoughts. Using the above example, instead of asking, What if I'd been there? you can remind yourself that you did not cause this to happen.

Depression

Losing a relative can engender emptiness, sadness, and even physical pain. While symptoms of depression could signal the presence of a depressive disorder, that is not always the case. Even if symptoms do not rise to the level of a mental health disorder, they can still be difficult to experience. During this time, people often need to take time for themselves, process their feelings, and heal.

Talking with others who can empathize is often helpful, although some people find it best to be alone and work through their feelings at their own pace. While taking time for oneself is fine, withdrawing from other people for an extended period of time can exacerbate symptoms of depression. If you're experiencing depression, consider contacting a mental health professional. A licensed therapist can help you navigate the symptoms of depression and provide you with a healthy outlet for your feelings.

Acceptance

Acceptance is the final stage of grief, typically occurring when one comes to terms with the fact that their relative is not returning. Many people mistake acceptance with the completion of the grieving process; however, accepting the death of a loved one does not mean you are over the loss. Even if you move on with your life, you may continue to experience complex emotions. This is completely normal. Although these feelings can be difficult to experience, they can also remind you how important your loved one was to you.

Moving On After The Loss Of A Loved One

People have differing ideas on what it means to move on with life after they've lost a relative. For some, it means getting back into the daily grind. For others, moving on involves focusing on self-care, reaching out to friends and other families, or speaking with a therapist.

Additionally, a support group can be a healthy outlet and a way to gain perspective from people who have experienced a similar loss. You may be able to find support groups for bereaved families in your area or online. For further guidance and care, consider pursuing therapy. Seeking the support of a mental health professional can be a constructive and healthy way for people to work through the stages of grief and move on with their lives. A therapist can provide you with insights into your situation that you hadn't considered and advice on coping mechanisms.

Online Therapy Is There For You

Know that you have options if you consider reaching out to a therapist. There is an increasingly large amount of research suggesting that online therapy can help those experiencing grief or trauma after the death of a loved one. For example, in a comprehensive review in Frontiers in Psychiatry, the (CBT) for bereavement were examined. Researchers found significant positive effects for symptoms of grief, which were sustained over the long term. The study noted that online therapy allows participants to circumvent common barriers to mental health care by providing more flexibility and accessibility than in-person treatment.

As outlined above, online therapy can be a useful treatment method when confronting difficult-to-process emotions related to the loss of a family or a similar concern. Online therapy can be a more discreet option if you are not yet ready to discuss grief in person. With BetterHelp, you can participate in therapy from the comfort of your home, without having to go to an office or discuss your treatment with anyone but your therapist. A licensed mental health professional can help you manage your emotions as you work through the grief of losing a loved one. Read below for reviews of BetterHelp therapists, from those who have experienced similar concerns.
Therapist Reviews
"After the unexpected loss of my father, a friend of mine suggested BetterHelp. Regina has been a key component in my grief recovery. With her guidance, I now feel like I have the tools to get through this independently. Thank you for everything."

"Rochelle helped me through a very dark period in my life this past spring following my mother's unexpected and tragic loss. Losing someone is never easy, and loss during a pandemic is magnified. I am in a healthy place today because I sought out help, and Rochelle was there to provide it for me."

Takeaway

We don't always know what to do when faced with the death of a loved one. It often takes time to process our emotions and get to the point of acceptance. If you're struggling with grief, know that you aren't alone. A licensed mental health professional can give you the tools and support you need as you work through the grieving process. Dealing with a death in the family or other traumatic experiences is not a process that should be rushed. Whether you're working through the loss of a relative or going through something else, know that you are not alone.

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How To Deal With A Death In The Family | BetterHelp

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The loss of a loved one can be hard to process, often leaving us feeling sad, upset, and confused. Knowing what to expect and how to cope with your emotions while grieving can help you deal with bereavement in a healthy way so that you're able to move forward and protect your mental and emotional well-being.

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The article on Mental Health America titled "Bereavement and Grief" discusses the emotional and psychological impact of losing a loved one. It explains that bereavement means "to be deprived by death" and that the grieving process can involve a wide range of emotions, such as denial, disbelief, confusion, shock, sadness, yearning, anger, humiliation, despair, and guilt.

The article emphasizes that these feelings are normal and common reactions to loss. It also provides insights into how people may experience physical symptoms of acute grief, such as stomach pain, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, and loss of energy.

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In our hearts, we all know that death is a part of life. In fact, death gives meaning to our existence because it reminds us how precious life is.

Coping With Loss

The loss of a loved one is life's most stressful event and can cause a major emotional crisis. After the death of someone you love, you experience bereavement, which literally means "to be deprived by death."

Knowing What to Expect

When a death takes place, you may experience a wide range of emotions, even when the death is expected. Many people report feeling an initial stage of numbness after first learning of a death, but there is no real order to the grieving process. Some emotions you may experience include:

These feelings are normal and common reactions to loss. You may not be prepared for the intensity and duration of your emotions or how swiftly your moods may change. You may even begin to doubt the stability of your mental health. But be assured that these feelings are healthy and appropriate and will help you come to terms with your loss.

Remember: It takes time to fully absorb the impact of a major loss. You never stop missing your loved one, but the pain eases after time and allows you to go on with your life.

Mourning A Loved One

It is not easy to cope after a loved one dies. You will mourn and grieve. Mourning is the natural process you go through to accept a major loss. Mourning may include religious traditions honoring the dead or gathering with friends and family to share your loss. Mourning is personal and may last months or years.

Grieving is the outward expression of your loss. Your grief is likely to be expressed physically, emotionally, and psychologically. For instance, crying is a physical expression, while depression is a psychological expression. It is very important to allow yourself to express these feelings. Often, death is a subject that is avoided, ignored or denied. At first it may seem helpful to separate yourself from the pain, but you cannot avoid grieving forever. Someday those feelings will need to be resolved or they may cause physical or emotional illness.

Many people report physical symptoms that accompany grief. Stomach pain, loss of appetite, intestinal upsets, sleep disturbances and loss of energy are all common symptoms of acute grief. Of all life's stresses, mourning can seriously test your natural defense systems. Existing illnesses may worsen or new conditions may develop.

Profound emotional reactions may occur. These reactions include anxiety attacks, chronic fatigue, depression and thoughts of suicide. An obsession with the deceased is also a common reaction to death.

Dealing with a Major Loss

The death of a loved one is always difficult. Your reactions are influenced by the circumstances of a death, particularly when it is sudden or accidental. Your reactions are also influenced by your relationship with the person who died.

A child's death arouses an overwhelming sense of injustice - for lost potential, unfulfilled dreams and senseless suffering. Parents may feel responsible for the child's death, no matter how irrational that may seem. Parents may also feel that they have lost a vital part of their own identity.

A spouse's death is very traumatic. In addition to the severe emotional shock, the death may cause a potential financial crisis if the spouse was the family's main income source. The death may necessitate major social adjustments requiring the surviving spouse to parent alone, adjust to single life and maybe even return to work.

Elderly people may be especially vulnerable when they lose a spouse because it means losing a lifetime of shared experiences. At this time, feelings of loneliness may be compounded by the death of close friends.

A loss due to suicide can be among the most difficult losses to bear. They may leave the survivors with a tremendous burden of guilt, anger and shame. Survivors may even feel responsible for the death. Seeking counseling during the first weeks after the suicide is particularly beneficial and advisable.

Living with Grief

Coping with death is vital to your mental health. It is only natural to experience grief when a loved one dies. The best thing you can do is allow yourself to grieve. There are many ways to cope effectively with your pain.

Seek out caring people. Find relatives and friends who can understand your feelings of loss. Join support groups with others who are experiencing similar losses.

Express your feelings. Tell others how you are feeling; it will help you to work through the grieving process.

Take care of your health. Maintain regular contact with your family physician and be sure to eat well and get plenty of rest. Be aware of the danger of developing a dependence on medication or alcohol to deal with your grief.

Accept that life is for the living. It takes effort to begin to live again in the present and not dwell on the past.

Postpone major life changes. Try to hold off on making any major changes, such as moving, remarrying, changing jobs or having another child. You should give yourself time to adjust to your loss.

Be patientIt can take months or even years to absorb a major loss and accept your changed life.

Seek outside help when necessary. If your grief seems like it is too much to bear, seek professional assistance to help work through your grief. It's a sign of strength, not weakness, to seek help.

Helping Others Grieve

If someone you care about has lost a loved one, you can help them through the grieving process.

Share the sorrow. Allow them - even encourage them - to talk about their feelings of loss and share memories of the deceased.

Don't offer false comfort It doesn't help the grieving person when you say "it was for the best" or "you'll get over it in time." Instead, offer a simple expression of sorrow and take time to listen.

Offer practical help Baby-sitting, cooking and running errands are all ways to help someone who is in the midst of grieving.

Be patientRemember that it can take a long time to recover from a major loss. Make yourself available to talk.

Encourage professional help when necessary. Don't hesitate to recommend professional help when you feel someone is experiencing too much pain to cope alone.

Helping Children Grieve

Children who experience a major loss may grieve differently than adults. A parent's death can be particularly difficult for small children, affecting their sense of security or survival. Often, they are confused about the changes they see taking place around them, particularly if well-meaning adults try to protect them from the truth or from their surviving parent's display of grief.

Limited understanding and an inability to express feelings puts very young children at a special disadvantage. Young children may revert to earlier behaviors (such as bed-wetting), ask questions about the deceased that seem insensitive, invent games about dying or pretend that the death never happened.

Coping with a child's grief puts added strain on a bereaved parent. However, angry outbursts or criticism only deepen a child's anxiety and delays recovery. Instead, talk honestly with children, in terms they can understand. Take extra time to talk with them about death and the person who has died. Help them work through their feelings and remember that they are looking to adults for suitable behavior.

Looking to the Future

Remember, with support, patience and effort, you will survive grief. Some day the pain will lessen, leaving you with cherished memories of your loved one.

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In our hearts, we all know that death is a part of life. In fact, death gives meaning to our existence because it reminds us how precious life is. Coping With Loss The loss of a loved one is life's most stressful event and can cause a major emotional crisis.

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The article "Understanding the Five Stages of Grief" explains the five stages of grief described by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her book "On Death and Dying." These stages are:

1. Denial: This is the initial stage where the individual may have difficulty accepting the reality of the loss.

2. Anger: As the denial starts to fade, the individual may feel intense anger directed towards themselves or others.

3. Bargaining: In this stage, the individual may try to negotiate or make deals to reverse or lessen the loss.

4. Depression: This stage involves deep sadness and withdrawal as the individual begins to understand the magnitude of the loss.

5. Acceptance is the final stage where the individual comes to terms with the loss and starts moving forward.

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Bereavement: Grieving the Loss of a Loved One 

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Bereavement: Grieving the Loss of a Loved One 

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The article covers a range of emotions that one might experience, such as profound sadness, shock, numbness, guilt, and anger. It also provides insights into how grief can affect your physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or think clearly.

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Bereavement: Grieving the Loss of a Loved One - HelpGuide.org

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You can't avoid the intense grief and pain following the death of someone you love. But there are healthier ways to cope.

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"Helping Children Cope with the Death of a Loved One" from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) guides how to support children through the grieving process. It emphasizes the importance of offering simple, straightforward answers to their questions and using language that they can understand. The document also highlights the need for honesty, compassion, and love when helping children cope with loss.

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"Helping Children Cope With Grief" provides comprehensive guidance on how to support children through the grieving process. It covers various aspects, such as:

1. Who Should Tell the Child: Advice on who should break the news to the child and how to do it.

2. What to Say and How to Say It: Tips on using age-appropriate language and being honest and compassionate.

3. Advice for Different Types of Loss: Specific guidance for the death of a pet, a family member, or a traumatic death such as suicide or overdose.

4. Supporting Children of Different Ages: Tailored advice for children aged 2-4, 4-7, 7-13, and 13-18.

5. When to Get Professional Help: Signs that indicate when a child might need additional support from a mental health professional.

6. Taking Care of Yourself: Reminders for caregivers to look after their own well-being while supporting a grieving child.

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Whether the loss is a grandparent, a parent, a classmate or even a beloved family pet, the grieving process can be difficult and every child will grieve in his own way. Parents, caregivers and educators wondering how they can help will find many answers to their questions in the following guide, which has been assembled with advice from several experts in the area of child and adolescent grief. You will find tips broken down into a range of ages and experiences, and information about what to say, who should say it, what to look out for and how to help.

We all cope with death and grief differently. If you have several children, you may find that they express how they are feeling in surprisingly divergent ways. This can come down to personality as well as developmental age.

It is a fact that children grieve differently from adults. Young children may not even understand what death means, or that people who have died won't be coming back. They may worry they have done something to cause the death. On the other hand, they might not seem too concerned about it, or even go from crying one moment to wanting to play the next. It is also normal for a child to feel angry at the person who has died (or someone else entirely). As children get older they may begin to understand more, but will still need help from their parents and other caregivers on how to process and cope with loss.

Knowing what to say and how to support children during this time isn't easy. It is likely that you, too, are grieving and trying to deal with your own emotions. While you can't protect children from loss and the pain it may cause, you can play a major role in helping them feel secure and cope in the healthiest way possible.

Who Should Tell the Child?

If at all possible the person delivering the sad news should be the person closest to the child, even if that person is a parent who is also grieving. It is okay if the person sharing the news is sad or crying, but she shouldn't be so overwhelmed that she doesn't have control over her emotions, which would alarm the child even more in an already scary and difficult situation. If the grieving parent is too upset to deliver the news somewhat calmly then it should be the next closest person to the child who breaks the news.

What to Say and How to Say It

There's no perfect time to share the news so children should be told as soon as possible, within reason. Wait until the end of the school day if that's only a few hours. The main consideration is that you don't want your child hearing the news unexpectedly from some other source or walking into a situation where there are a bunch of adults standing around crying or in shock, which could be very scary for him.

Be thoughtful about where to have the conversation. You want to tell your child about the death somewhere where he can feel free to have whatever reaction he is going to have, and that is probably not going to be a public place. You might have the impulse to lessen the blow by sharing the news in a happy location, like a favorite ice cream parlor, but know that a treat won't make the news any less sad or difficult for the child.

Try to use direct language and be prepared to give a brief explanation of how or why the death occurred because children will be curious. You don't have to go into a lot of detail, however. With kids you want to start with the minimum amount of information and then add more based on the questions they ask. As long as it's done in a calm and compassionate way, it is best to keep explanations shorter, simpler and more direct.

Guidelines to keep in mind

The words you choose will vary depending upon the child's age and developmental stage, but experts agree that no matter what the age of the child there are certain guidelines you should stick to.

Follow their lead. The kinds of questions and concerns that children have can be very different from those of adults. Giving children too much information can overwhelm them. It is better to let them ask questions and then answer in the best (and most developmentally appropriate) way you can. Don't be surprised if young children are mostly concerned about themselves. That is simply how young children are.

Encourage children to express their feelings. Do not try to "protect" or "shelter" children by attempting to hide your own sadness. They will invariably know that something is wrong, but will be left feeling alone and confused. Hiding your own grief can also make children feel like the sadness they may be feeling is bad. However, try not to let children see you at your most upset moments, as they may begin to worry about you or feel insecure.

Don't use euphemisms. Avoid phrases like "passed away," "gone," "we lost him." Kids tend to be very literal, and this kind of fuzzy language leaves them anxious, scared and often confused. Or conversely, it may lead them to believe the deceased will come back and that death is not permanent.

Maintain normal routines as much as possible. Grief takes time but children benefit from the security of regular routines and knowing that life goes on.

Memorialize the person who died. Remembering is part of grieving and part of healing. This can be as simple as sharing memories of the person who died or bringing up the name of the person who died so that your child knows it's not taboo to talk about and remember that person. It is important to keep photos around, too.

Advice for the Death of a Pet

For many children, especially young kids, the death of a family pet may mean the loss of a lifelong friend. It may also be your child's first personal encounter with death. Be open and honest about the incident if the death happens unexpectedly. If your pet is suffering from an illness that requires it to be euthanized, reassure your child that your vet has done everything she can but that your pet was too sick to ever recover. Avoid potentially vague and confusing phrases such as "put down." Children told the pet has been "put to sleep" can develop a fear of going to sleep.

Advice for the Death of a Family Member

Death of a grandparent or other relative

The death of a grandparent is often a child's first encounter with human loss of life and grieving. If your children have lost a grandparent, you can explain that most people do not die until they are very old, to assuage any fears they have that you or they may die next. If the relative who has died was a younger person like an aunt or an uncle, explain that they had an illness (or accident) that does not usually take the lives of younger people.

Death of a parent

This is a much more difficult and traumatic event for a child of any age to comprehend and cope with. The remaining parent is likely to be very upset, and showing sadness is fine. But choose a time when you feel you can share the news without feeling out of control of your emotions. Explain the death using developmentally appropriate words and make sure children know that they will still be taken care of. In the case of the death of a parent, no matter what the child's age, professional counseling is often a good idea.

Terminally ill parent

If you are a parent or caregiver, keep the child up-to-date on the status of his parent's health so that nothing comes as a surprise and so that he is not kept wondering and worrying about being there when his parent dies. If possible schedule regular one-on-one time quietly reading, playing cards or just talking with his sick parent so that he has some good memories of how they spent their time together toward the end of his parent's life.

If you are a teacher or counselor at the child's school, know that he may need more support and flexibility at this time. Keeping some routines and expectations is still important, as they can help normalize things for a child, making him feel more secure and giving him a break from his worries. Stay in touch with the child's family and let a caregiver know if you believe the child needs additional support or even to share good news if he has had a particularly good day.

Death of a sibling

It is very unexpected when children die, whether by accident or due to illness. In young children such a loss often brings up questions from the surviving child of whether he is also in danger. Parents who suffer the loss of a child are likely to be inconsolable themselves, but it is important to reassure your children that they are safe and you will be there for them. Let them ask questions and know that they may go in and out of grief for many months while you as the parent are more likely to feel it continuously. Do not hesitate to bring in additional adult caregivers, such as a grandparent, aunt or friend for support.

Advice for a Traumatic Death Such as Suicide or Overdose

A traumatic death is particularly hard to talk about, but children will be curious about how their loved one died and you should not avoid giving an explanation. Try to give children developmentally appropriate information without overwhelming them. For example, you might explain that the person had a disease that caused her brain to stop working the way it should, and that the doctors tried to solve the problem but they weren't able to cure the disease.

As children get older you can begin to give more information. If the loved one died by overdose, you can explain that the disease was addiction, which made that person want more of a substance than was good for her. For teenagers, you can let them know what the specific substance was, and assure them that having this addiction didn't make their loved one bad. As kids get older they may also hear that addiction runs in families. While this is important to keep in mind, you can explain that addiction is a complex disease that is caused by a combination of genes and environment. Having a relative who struggled with addiction does not necessarily mean that they will also struggle with it.

If the loved one died by suicide, you might explain that she had a psychiatric disorder, which is a disease in the brain, and it caused her to die. For older children, do share more information if they ask for it, but avoid sharing troubling details. Assure children that their remaining caregivers are healthy and will take care of them.

Expect children to be processing this death over the course of many years as their understanding of it changes with age. Dealing with such a difficult and traumatic loss may very well require the help of a professional.

Who Else Should Be Informed?

The people your child spends her time with need to know if there has been a significant loss. Certainly teachers, school counselors, coaches, after-school program directors and other family members should be told.

It is important to keep in mind that you can tell the staff at your child's school and it may stay on their radar for a week or two, but if the death is significant - like the loss of a parent - then it's something your child will be dealing without throughout the year and you might need to continuously check in and remind them.

If your child is younger, you should also tell the parents of any of her close friends about the death. If your child is in middle or high school, you should ask if she wants to tell her friends' parents or if you should do it.

What If Your Child Is Away at College?

If the person who has died is someone significant and the distance to your child's school is drivable, experts recommend delivering the news in person. In cases where that's not possible, most schools have a protocol established. Usually if you call the Registrar's office, they will send a representative who will stay with your child while you deliver the news over the phone, make sure he gets connected with supportive friends, walk with him to the health center if necessary or help him pack a bag and get on a plane to return home for the funeral.

Is It Okay to Give Alone Time?

This depends somewhat on the particular child and on the child's age. Little kids go in and out of grieving mode so it is okay to let them play alone in a room as long as you stay nearby in case they switch back into grieving. Keep play dates shorter and at your home for a while so that you can monitor them.

For teens, alone time after delivering the news is certainly appropriate if they want it. And with both teens and younger kids you always want to ask open-ended questions like, "What do you think?" or, "How are you feeling?" Tell them you know this will take time to process and let them know they can always come back to you with questions or just to talk about the loved one who has died.

How to Handle a Major Event That Is Coming Up

If the death happens right around a holiday it's unrealistic to expect that you're really going to be able to have a happy celebration. You might be able to find moments of happiness, but chances are everyone is going to be preoccupied with the loss of the person who has died and you shouldn't try to hide or force your child to hide her grief. That said, you should still acknowledge important occasions, such as a child's birthday or graduation, because ignoring them could also be painful.

If the person who has died is close, the whole year is going to be a year of "firsts" without that person, so celebrations like the first Thanksgiving, birthday, Christmas or Hanukkah without that person are going to be hard. Do what you can to maintain traditions as much as possible, but know, once again, that you and your child will likely experience moments of joy along with some sorrow.

Deciding Whether or Not to Attend the Funeral

Funerals, wakes and memorial services are an important part of the grieving process and a way to say goodbye to the person who has died. But when it comes to whether a child should attend the funeral of a loved one, there is no right or wrong answer. A child should never be forced to attend a funeral. If he indicates that he wants to go, then he should be encouraged to do so. If the child is young, plan to bring a favorite babysitter or someone the child trusts who can leave with the child if he decides he's had enough before the service is over.

Be sure to prepare your child for what he will see. Let him know that people might be dressed in dark colors and that they will be very sad and some might be crying, for example. Explain if there will be a casket that contains the body, and any other important details.

What to Expect With Kids Ages 2-4

At this age kids lack a real understanding of death and are generally unable to process the permanence of it. They are very present-oriented and don't understand that death means "forever." They may ask the same questions over and over again. Be patient, consistent and reassuring. A child who is grieving may have a series of brief but intense responses.

Possible expressions of grief: Regression to earlier behaviors like thumb-sucking and bedwetting, sleep problems, irritability, confusion.

How you can help: Provide honest, direct, brief answers to their questions and lots of reassurance and affection. A consistent routine is also helpful. At this age play is their outlet for grieving.

What to Expect With Kids Ages 4-7

Kids this age may still see death as reversible. They may draw inaccurate conclusions that they caused the death - something called "magical thinking." They tend to ask a lot of concrete questions: "How did he die?" "What will happen to him now?"

Possible expressions of grief: Nightmares, regression to earlier behaviors, changes in sleeping and eating, violent play, attempting to take on the role of the person who died.

How you can help: Encourage expression of the child's feelings through physical outlets as well as symbolic play (drawing and stories) and talking about the person who died.

What to Expect With Kids Ages 7-13

At this age kids' thinking has matured and they are more logical. They may still want to see death as something that is reversible, but they are beginning to understand that it is final.

School-age children tend to ask specific questions and have a desire for detail. They may also be concerned for how others are responding to the death. They want to know what the "right" way to respond is, and are beginning to have the ability to mourn and to understand and recognize mourning in others.

Despite their more logical thinking they may become overly fearful of sickness and injury because they don't quite understand the mechanisms by which people die. Kids can also get fixated on why someone died, especially if it violates their logical principles of right and wrong. Under both of these circumstances try to help children develop an explanation for the death that makes sense to them. When they get older they can begin to understand the loss in a more sophisticated way.

Possible expressions of grief: Regression, school problems, withdrawal from friends, acting out, changes in eating and sleeping habits, overwhelming concerns over their own body, thoughts about their own death.

How you can help: Encourage the expression of feelings no matter what they are. Explain options and allow for choices around funerals and memorial services. Be present, but allow alone time, too. Encourage physical outlets. Don't avoid talking about the death or answering questions.

What to Expect With Kids Ages 13-18

Teenagers are capable of abstract thought and have a much more "adult" concept of death.

Possible expressions of grief: Extreme sadness, denial, regression, risk-taking, preference for talking to peers and others outside of the family, depression, anger, acting out, even possible suicidal thoughts.

How you can help: Encourage them to talk - if not to you, then to friends, teachers or a therapist. Do not attempt to "make it all better" or dismiss their grief. Allow them to mourn. Be available but respect their need to grieve in their own way.

When to Get Professional Help

Grieving is a natural process and it takes time. But symptoms that persist beyond six months or are very impairing can indicate that your child may need professional help to overcome her grief. Some signs your child may need professional help include:

Nightmares

Belief that the world is generally unsafe

Irritability, anger and moodiness

Poor concentration

Appetite or sleep disturbances

Ongoing behavior problems

Persistent regression to earlier behavior in young children, such as clinging, bedwetting or thumb-sucking

Difficulty sleeping

Detachment or withdrawal from others

Use of alcohol or drugs in teens

Inability or refusal to go to school, learn or play with friends

Anxiety

Ongoing depression

Suicidal thoughts

While your first impulse may be to protect and comfort your children, it is crucial that you seek help for your own grief. If you are parenting or supporting a grieving child, one of the best ways to help is to ensure that you are taking care of yourself, too.

Find good sources of support. Research shows us that how well a child does after a death is linked to how well the adults in his life are doing. This doesn't mean hiding your grief from your child. Rather, it means ensuring that you have people and activities in your life that provide comfort. If you need help or some time to take a break and clear your head, prioritize asking for it.

By accessing support, you model for your children ways to take care of themselves, and you reassure them that you will have the energy and presence to be there for them. Be prepared to accept help from friends, relatives and possibly mental health professionals.

How Educators Can Help Kids

Schools play a major role in children's lives, and after a death - either a death in the family or in the extended school community - it is natural to expect that kids may experience grief that impacts their time at school or their ability to do schoolwork. Here are some guidelines for teachers and school psychologists on how to help make sure students feel supported and are coping in a healthy way.

Return to routine. Help students return to a normal routine as soon as possible. Kids of all ages do better when they know what to expect, and routine makes them feel safe and reassures them that the adults are in control and keeping them safe. If it's one child who has suffered a loss, work with that child's parents or caregivers to resume a normal routine as much as possible even if it means modifying classroom work and/or homework for a period of time while the child is still grieving.

Be alert. Teachers should watch for signs that a child might be struggling and need extra help. Kids who are unable to function in the classroom, withdraw from friends, display behavior problems or seem to be experiencing intense sadness, fear or anger should be referred to a guidance counselor or school psychologist who should work with the parents to get the child professional help. Other signs a child may need help include physical manifestations of intense grief, including headaches, stomachaches, intense fatigue or inability to concentrate.

Memorialize. For kids who are school-age (at least six or older), some kind of age-appropriate memorial is a helpful way to remember a teacher, administrator or student who has died. They should be kept relatively brief and tailored by grade level. A guidance counselor or school psychologist is often the best person to organize this kind of event with input from the family of the person who died.

Stay in touch. Teachers and the school administration should stay in touch with parents in the days and weeks after the death has occurred. Parents should be kept up-to-date about the school's programs and activities so they can be prepared for discussions that may continue at home.

The Role of the School After a Student Suicide

There are few things more upsetting to a community than when a teen takes his own life. Here are several things school officials and teachers can do in the wake of this kind of tragedy to make sure students feel supported.

Closely monitor students who are thought to be "at risk" since a depressed teen is at even greater risk of suicide after a peer commits suicide. Some teens turn to alcohol or drugs as a way of coping with this kind of tragedy. Parents should be advised to watch for unusual behavior in their teens, and teachers who suspect any risky behavior should refer those students to the school psychologist.

Talk about the suicide openly and matter-of-factly. Educators and parents should work together to convey consistent messages about the circumstances of the death and reduce confusion and misinformation. Hiding the facts of the suicide from students can result in anxiety and mistrust of the adults upon whom they should be able to rely for reassurance. Explaining the death in a matter-of-fact way can also prevent sensationalizing it.

Suicide should be explained in terms of an unrecognized or untreated mental illness. It should be explained (ideally by a professional therapist) that people with a mental illness often hide their pain even from those who are closest to them. And even if they were in treatment, some people can still die of suicide while seeing a therapist, just as some people can die of cancer even though they are seeing an oncologist.

Keep checking in with students. An event like the suicide of a classmate takes time for kids to process and the fallout - academic, social and emotional - may unfold over several months.

Some kids, whether they were close to the student who died or not, may feel guilty - as if they could or should have known something was wrong or could have done something to stop the suicide. It is important to stress that this is a common response when a death is hard to accept, but that there is nothing they could have done personally to change the situation.

Even though the person who died committed suicide, a school-wide memorial that celebrates his life is still a good idea so that his classmates can remember more than just the way he died. Students who want to should be encouraged to participate by speaking, sharing memories, making video montages, etc. It is important, however, not to go into too much detail about the death itself or to glamorize the death. Death is supposed to be scary and something we want to avoid. Talking too much about the details of a suicide can take away some of this scariness and make other students in the community more likely to consider suicide if they are already depressed.

By giving kids opportunities to share their feelings in a range of settings (both one-on-one and in a group) and by talking about the suicide openly, schools can help students put the death in perspective and heal in a healthy way.

Recommended Books for Kids

Samantha Jane's Missing Smile: A Story About Coping With the Loss of a Parent, by Donna Pincus, for ages 5 and up

I Miss You: A First Look at Death,by Pat Thomas, for ages 4 and up

Good Answers to Tough Questions About Death,by Joy Berry, for ages 6-12

A Complete Book About Death for Kids, by Earl Grollman, for all ages

Everett Anderson's Goodbye,by Lucille Clifton, for ages 5-8, about a father's death

My Grandson Lew, by Charlotte Zolotow, for ages 5 and up, about a grandparent's death

When Something Terrible Happens, by Marge Heegaard, for ages 8 and up

When Someone Very Special Dies, by Marge Heegaard, for ages 8 and up

Help Me Say Goodbye: Activities for Helping Kids Cope When a Special Person Dies,by Janis Silverman, for ages 8 and up

Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children, by Bryan Mellonie, for all ages

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf,by Leo Buscaglia, for all ages

The Next Place, by Warren Hanson, for all ages

This guide was last reviewed or updated on February 23, 2023.

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A guide with advice from several experts on how to help children cope with grief. Tips on what to say, who should say it and how to help.

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Parenting in a New Context: Strategies for Practitioners Supporting Refugee and Immigrant Caregivers

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Parenting in a New Context: Strategies for Practitioners Supporting Refugee and Immigrant Caregivers

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This episode focuses on key issues for practitioners working with refugee and immigrant caregivers. The aim is to strengthen the capabilities of mental health providers and family therapy experts in engaging, serving, and supporting these caregivers effectively. Luna Mulder and Jeff Winer from the Refugee Trauma and Resilience Center join Trevor Born from the Center for Resilient Families to explore the principles of culturally responsive care.

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Parenting in a New Context: Strategies for Practitioners Supporting Refugee and Immigrant Caregivers

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Parenting in a New Context: Strategies for Practitioners Supporting Refugee and Immigrant Caregivers is a podcast mini-series made for, and by, mental health…

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How to Adapt Parenting Interventions to be Culturally Responsive

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How to Adapt Parenting Interventions to be Culturally Responsive

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"Parenting in a New Context: How to Adapt Parenting Interventions to Be Culturally Responsive" discusses strategies for practitioners to support refugee and immigrant caregivers and families adjusting to a new culture and may have experienced potentially traumatic events.

The resource emphasizes the importance of enhancing skills and raising the standard of care to effectively engage, serve, and support these caregivers and families. It also highlights the need to adapt or reconsider common parenting interventions to be culturally responsive and sensitive to the unique challenges faced by these communities.

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How to Adapt Parenting Interventions to be Culturally Responsive

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Understanding Refugee Trauma: For School Personnel

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Understanding Refugee Trauma: For School Personnel

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This document outlines important considerations that school personnel should consider when working with refugee youth and their families. It describes factors related to the school environment, classroom dynamics, individual needs, and family circumstances that staff members need to understand when supporting this population.

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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Outlines different considerations that school personnel need to take into account when working with refugee youth and their families. This fact sheet describes the school, classroom, individual, and family considerations that school staff should understand when working with this population.

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Understanding Refugee Trauma: For School Personnel

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Outlines different considerations that school personnel need to take into account when working with refugee youth and their families. This fact sheet describes the school, classroom, individual, and family considerations that school staff should understand when working with this population.

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Young Minds Matter: Historical and Cultural Trauma | CLASP

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Young Minds Matter: Historical and Cultural Trauma | CLASP

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Historical trauma refers to the complex and collective experiences of trauma that a group of people endures over time and across generations. This trauma typically affects those who share a common identity, affiliation, or circumstance. Cultural trauma, a related concept, occurs when members of a group perceive themselves as having suffered a horrific event that leaves lasting imprints on their shared consciousness. Such experiences fundamentally alter their collective memory and identity in profound and irreversible ways. Both historical and cultural trauma represent enduring legacies of oppression, which young adults in underserved communities identify as significant threats to their mental health.

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Young Minds Matter: Historical and Cultural Trauma | CLASP

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2019 marks 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were brought to what would become the United States. 2019 is also a year where our national conversation has struggled to reconcile the caging of young people in inhumane conditions and the separation of children from their parents on the Southwest border with our national narrative as a “nation of immigrants.” What does this historical inflection point and national crisis have to do with young minds?

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Cultural trauma occurs when members of a group experience a horrific event that impacts their community for many years. This trauma alters their memories and fundamentally changes their identity moving forward. Often, culturally traumatic events involve ongoing physical or psychological attacks by an oppressor. When we collectively experience something like this, we share our stories with others in our community. We draw upon our religion, values, and other resources to reclaim and personalize the narrative.

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What is cultural trauma? The difference between collective trauma & cultural trauma - WellTuned by BCBST

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Cultural trauma happens when members of a group experience a horrendous event that affects members of their community for years to come.

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The National Education Association (NEA) article on Trauma-Informed Practices discusses a set of practices designed to address the impact of trauma by creating a safe and caring environment for students. These practices focus on creating a safe school culture, building relationships, and supporting students' self-efficacy. The goal is to ensure that all students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn, regardless of their experiences.

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Trauma-Informed Practices (TIP) have been a topic of interest and need for the past several years. Researchers have defined TIP as a set of practices that address the impact of trauma by creating a safe and caring environment. Trauma-informed practices focus on creating a safe school culture, building relationships, and supporting students' self-efficacy. Despite the plethora of research on trauma-informed practices, sometimes research-based practices are disconnected from the daily needs of educators in the field.

Below is a list of common Trauma-Informed practices that educators can implement across all educational settings. This list has been reviewed by a group of educators representing education support professionals, teachers, and specialized instructional support personnel.

Support students from the bus stop to the classroom (and beyond!)
Using trauma-informed practices across all educational spaces can help educators collaborate to support student mental and physical health.Supporting students across settings helps to foster a positive school climate where students feel safe and confident. Be intentional in supporting families and community members in understanding and using trauma-informed practices for long-term student success.

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No matter where you work in our school communities, you can use these practices to create safe and supportive learning environments for all students.

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The article provides an in-depth understanding of psychological trauma, describing it as an experience of emotional distress resulting from an overwhelming event. It explains how traumatic experiences affect an individual's sense of safety and outlines various events, such as parental loss, accidents, violence, and natural disasters, that can lead to trauma. The article also discusses the immediate responses to trauma, its potential long-term effects, and the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It emphasizes the importance of coping skills and social support in mitigating symptoms and preventing long-term mental health effects.

This is beneficial for teachers in various ways. Firstly, it can help teachers to recognize signs of trauma in students who may be experiencing emotional distress due to overwhelming events. Understanding the potential causes and effects of trauma can enable teachers to offer appropriate support and create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. Furthermore, the emphasis on coping skills and social support underscores the importance of teachers in providing a supportive presence for students who may be dealing with trauma.

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Trauma is a person's emotional response to a distressing experience. Few people can go through life without encountering some kind of trauma. Unlike ordinary hardships, traumatic events tend to be sudden and unpredictable, involve a serious threat to life-like bodily injury or death-and feel beyond a person's control.

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Secondary Traumatic Stress in Caregivers - HIPAA for Caregivers

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Secondary Traumatic Stress in Caregivers - HIPAA for Caregivers

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This article discusses how caregiving can be exhausting, but it also teaches us patience, empathy, and resilience. These are some of the best qualities we can have when dealing with others and ourselves.

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We've all heard of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Maybe our loved one has even been diagnosed with it. However, another form of stress disorder may often affect the caregiver of a loved one. A family member living in support of a loved one with a mental health condition often faces compassion fatigue. This is also referred to as "Secondary Traumatic Stress," or STS.

STS may occur when on-going mental health crises disrupt a caregiver's life and the life of the rest of family. The caregiver may be frightened by the actions or words their loved one exhibits. As a result, these experiences can have lasting effects for the caregiver.

Symptoms of Secondary Traumatic Stress

So how do you know if you are experiencing Secondary Traumatic Stress? Below are some symptoms that you may experience when caring for your loved one with mental health issues:

Hyper-vigilance

Re-experiencing events in your head

Feeling depressed

Loss of empathy for your loved one

Sense of persecution

Guilt

Anger

Problems sleeping

Challenges with concentration

Exhaustion

Appetite change

Loss of creativity

Impaired immune system

Getting Support for Secondary Traumatic Stress

There are a lot of articles on the web for STS in veterans and health care workers. However, there is less conversation about STS in caregivers of a loved one with mental health conditions. Although, many of the parents I've talked with experience it. Supporting a loved one with mental illness can be can be very traumatic. For instance, their behaviors toward us can sometimes be outrageous and hurtful, leaving us feeling traumatized.

So what can you do if you suspect you are experiencing STS? Families and caregivers need just as much support as loved ones experiencing a mental health condition. Therefore, effective practical and emotional support can make a huge difference supporting families working together toward a more peaceful life. Many therapists are aware of, and deal with this issue regularly. Oftentimes, a good therapist can really help dispel traumatic feelings.

A technique that some therapists use is called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR. EMDR can weaken the effect of negative emotions. Lateral eye movements are used while recalling the trauma. This helps to process the trauma and, under the direction of a therapist, "rewire" the brain while formulating positive beliefs. You can find more information about EMDR in this Psycom.net article. EMDR can be a very effective way to overcome STS. EMDR is used successfully for PTSD, and a therapist I saw used it with me for STS. It really did help me to dispel "triggers" that my loved one often brought on.

Self-Care for Secondary Traumatic Stress

Above all, self-care is also very important in dealing with STS. Do this by finding time to clear your mind and focus on yourself. Here are some suggestions, based on the Mayo Clinic website below:

Focus on what you can do. It's normal to feel guilty sometimes, but understand that no one is a "perfect" caregiver. Know that you are doing the best you can.

Set realistic goals. Break large tasks into smaller steps that you can do one at a time. Prioritize, make lists, and establish a daily routine. Begin to say no to requests that are draining, such as hosting holiday meals.

Get connected. Find out about caregiving resources in your community. Many communities have classes specifically about the disease your loved one is facing.

Join a support group. A support group can provide validation and encouragement, as well as problem-solving strategies for difficult situations. People in support groups understand what you may be going through. A support group can also be a good place to create meaningful friendships. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers free support groups.

Seek social support. Make an effort to stay well-connected with family and friends who can offer nonjudgmental emotional support. Set aside time each week for connecting, even if it's just a walk with a friend.

Set personal health goals. For example, set goals to establish a good sleep routine, find time to be physically active on most days of the week, eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water.

Get enough sleep. Many caregivers have issues with sleeping. Not getting quality sleep over a long period of time can cause health issues. If you have trouble getting a good night's sleep, talk to your doctor.

See your doctor. Get recommended vaccinations and screenings. Make sure to tell your doctor that you're a caregiver. Don't hesitate to mention any concerns or symptoms you have.

In conclusion, caregiving can be exhausting, but it also teaches us patience, empathy and resilience. And those are some of the best qualities we can have when dealing with others and ourselves.

Additional Resources:
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/trauma-toolkit/secondary-traumatic-stress https://socialworklicensemap.com/blog/coping-with-secondary-trauma/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784

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Secondary Traumatic Stress in Caregivers - HIPAA for Caregivers

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A family member living in support of a loved one with a mental health condition often faces compassion fatigue, or Secondary Traumatic Stress.

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The Trauma Survivor’s Network hosts Peer Support Groups, which serve as safe spaces for individuals to connect with others who have experienced similar traumas. Within these groups, participants can share their personal stories, exchange valuable coping strategies, and provide mutual encouragement to one another. Additionally, visitors to this page can find a variety of other support groups tailored to different needs, further promoting a sense of community and healing among survivors.

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Traumatic injuries affect both physical and psychosocial well-being. The Trauma Survivor’s Network Peer Support Groups connect trauma survivors, providing a space to share experiences, offer mutual support, and enhance coping skills.

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This program is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and informative space for anyone involved in the life of a trauma survivor. Whether you're a spouse, partner, caregiver, sibling, close friend, or colleague, your role is crucial in the healing process and support for the survivor.

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Finding Support As A Caregiver For Someone With PTSD | BetterHelp

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Finding Support As A Caregiver For Someone With PTSD | BetterHelp

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This article discusses strategies to help make your caregiving experience more manageable and sustainable when supporting someone with PTSD. It starts by acknowledging the potential challenges of caregiving and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing your well-being.

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Finding Support As A Caregiver For Someone With PTSD | BetterHelp

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Caregivers need care too. Learn tips for self-care as a caregiver for someone with PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, plus find support in therapy.

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The article focuses on the role of adults in helping children and adolescents cope with trauma. It emphasizes the significant impact of adult responses to trauma on young individuals and highlights the importance of caregivers and family members supporting their ability to cope. The article suggests that creating a safe and supportive environment, remaining calm, and reducing stressors can be beneficial for children and adolescents during challenging times. It also stresses the importance of reassuring young individuals that they are loved and will be taken care of by their family members.

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Helping Children and Adolescents Cope With Traumatic Events

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This fact sheet presents information on how children and adolescents respond to traumatic events, and what family, friends, and trusted adults can do to help.

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This website offers resources to support families. Caring for someone with PTSD can cause family members and friends to neglect their own needs. It's important to find support for yourself during this time.

Most U.S. states have a National 211 referral line for community services like employment, food pantries, and support groups—just dial 2-1-1.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides a Family-to-Family Education Program for caregivers. You can also contact their Information Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).

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Help for Family and Friends

Available en Español

When someone has PTSD, it affects family and friends too. As loved ones, you spend time and energy to support your partner, family member or friend with PTSD. Learn about resources for your own self-care while helping a loved one with PTSD.

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Learning about PTSD helps you to understand what your loved one is experiencing. But, you need to take care of yourself too. Your own support network - family, friends, and health providers - is a good place to start, but don't be afraid to reach out beyond that close circle. Here are some resources that can help.

Crisis Resources

You may feel helpless, but there are many things you can do. Nobody expects you to have all the answers. If you feel there is a crisis for you or your loved one, use one of these toll-free, confidential hotlines:

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a 24-hour hotline for anyone in emotional distress. Call or text 988. There is also a live, online chat available on their website.

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in emotional distress and their families and friends with responders trained to help Veterans. The hotline is available 24/7. Call 988, then press 1 or text 838255. There is also a live, online chat available on their website.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers 24/7 anonymous access to shelters and domestic violence programs as well as legal advocacy, public education, and training: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

The National Sexual Assault Hotline operated by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is a 24/7 resource to link victims to counseling and legal advice: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). There is also a National Sexual Assault Online Hotline for messaging.

The National Child Abuse Hotline is a 24/7 resource you can contact if you suspect a child is being abused, if you fear you might hurt your child, or if you have been abused: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (422-4453).

General Resources for Family and Loved Ones

Family members and close friends sometimes neglect their own needs when they commit themselves to caring for someone with PTSD. It is important for you to find support for yourself when you are helping someone deal with PTSD.

Resources for Loved Ones of Veterans and Service members

Some of the resources listed above are specific to Veterans and Service members. Additional resources are listed below:

The VA Caregiver Support program provides services to support family members who are taking care of a Veteran: 1-855-260-3274

The Vet Center Combat Call Center is a 24/7 call center for combat Veterans and their families to talk about their military experience or issues about readjustment to civilian life: 1-877-WAR-VETS

The Psychological Health Resource Center offers 24/7 support for service members and their families. Staff can answer questions about mental health symptoms and help you find resources. Call 866-966-1020, email, or live chat .

The National Resource Directory links to over 10,000 services and resources that support recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration for wounded, ill, and injured Service members, Veterans, their families, and those who support them.

Give an Hour is a nonprofit organization offering free mental health services to US military personnel and their families affected by Iraq and Afghanistan.

Resources for Children With a Parent Who Has PTSD

Children respond to their parents' PTSD symptoms. A child may behave like the parent to try to connect with him or her. Some children take on an adult role to fill in for the parent with PTSD. If children do not get help with their feelings, it can lead to problems at school, in relationships, or with emotions (like worry, fear, or sadness).

More Help

If your family is having a lot of trouble talking things over, consider trying family therapy. Family therapy is a type of counseling that involves your whole family. It is important that each member of the family, including the children, have a chance to say what they need. A therapist helps you and your family communicate, maintain good relationships, and cope with tough emotions. Your health professional or a religious or social services organization can help you find a family therapist who specializes in PTSD.

Remember, caregivers need care too. Whether you turn to your family, friends, health care providers, or the resources listed here, be sure to get the help you need. To help yourself, you need to take care of yourself and have other people help you.

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Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you've earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member-like health care, disability, education, and more.

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23 Best Caregiver Support Groups Online and In-Person

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23 Best Caregiver Support Groups Online and In-Person

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This website provides a wealth of resources for individuals seeking support, whether online or in person. It features a variety of groups aimed at addressing different needs, ensuring that everyone can find a community that resonates with them. Whether you're looking for emotional assistance, practical guidance, or just a safe space to connect with others, this platform offers multiple options to help you on your journey to well-being.

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Best online caregiver support groups

Online memory caregiver support groups

It can be helpful to know you are not alone, learning about caregiver statistics can help you better understand the community of caregivers. If your loved one has Alzheimer's, another form of dementia, or other memory-impairment illnesses, Memory People may be a helpful group to join. It was created by Alzheimer's patient Rick Phelps as a way for dementia patients and caregivers to share their stories and find understanding.

Dementia Caregivers Support Group also supports caregivers of those affected by Alzheimer's and dementia. It seeks "to stimulate conversation and ensure all members a safe haven in posting personal feelings."

Created by the daughter and primary caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient, this support group targets people caring for those with memory-impairment illnesses. It allows caregivers "to vent and support one another, and to break the silence that leaves so many caregivers feeling alone."

This chat group supports friends, family, and caregivers of Alzheimer's and dementia patients. The members value brutal honesty and occasional humor during discussions. If you're focused strictly on gaining information regarding memory care, this group may not be the right fit.

A dementia patient's daughter-in-law, who also served as primary caregiver, created this dementia caregiver support group. Caregivers in this group - which now has more than a whopping 43,000 members - support each other by posting caregiving suggestions, ways to de-stress, and new discoveries in dementia treatments and preventions.

Online family caregiver support groups

Caregiving questions of all sorts are quickly answered on this active forum, or message board, from A Place for Mom's partner site, AgingCare. Users can select from three separate tabs: Recent Activity, Most Popular, and Needs Answers. Anyone can read the Q&As though you must to post your own questions or answers.

Caregiver Support Community is a welcoming and supportive group intended for family caregivers - not for professional caregivers, nursing home workers, former caregivers, or anyone selling products or services. Before you join, the group asks you to share your caregiving story.

The organizers of this group recognize caring for your elderly parent may be one of the hardest situations you've ever faced. To ease this stress, the group gives members a place to ask questions, vent, or simply be heard.

Working Daughter is a space for women struggling to balance caregiving with a career and raising children. With more than 4,000 members, this group provides resources for women "searching for real world, practical answers" about juggling all of life's responsibilities.

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

This support group is a safe place for caregivers to freely discuss the challenges of caring for a narcissistic family member. Group members provide suggestions and helpful tips to improve the health of both the caregiver as well as the senior loved one.

A dementia caregiver support group that offers understanding from a specialized point of view. It's a growing and helpful resource for those who are caregiving and also coming to terms with their spouse's condition.

FCA's online caregiver support group focuses on family caregivers for patients with both physical and cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's, stroke, Parkinson's, and brain injuries. This FCA group offers "a safe place to discuss the stresses, challenges, and rewards of providing care for a loved one."

Caregivers Connect allows the voices of family caregivers to be heard. This support group aims to inspire caregivers and provide helpful resources to better care for senior loved ones. It welcomes new people and encourages members to invite anyone who may benefit from these discussions.

General online caregiver support groups

Caregivers Assist Support Group is an online community of more than 2,000 dedicated caregivers. Its stated purpose is "to share caregiving skills, best practices, and learn how to live a healthy prosperous life as a caregiver."

The Caregiver Space Community is a group for caregivers of elderly loved ones who may be ill or disabled. This group of more than 7,000 members welcomes family, loved ones, and professional caregivers to connect and discuss their experiences.

Caring For The Caregiver Support Group encourages members to express their thoughts and feelings. This group is also a great way to find caregiving help or to offer your services as a caregiver.

Some of us have more experience than others with providing care. For those who are new to caregiving, the Caregivers Hub Support Group aims to support all caregivers - both family and professional - and to provide a space for new caregivers to learn from "veteran" care providers.

How can I find caregiver support groups near me?

Some people find connecting face-to-face, regularly or occasionally, to be more therapeutic than online support groups. Also, many in-person support groups focus on specific conditions and circumstances.

In-person support groups

The Alzheimer's Association's map feature helps locate alzheimer's caregiver support groups nearest you. The meetings are facilitated by trained leaders.

Talk with a Senior Living Advisor

Our advisors help 300,000 families each year find the right senior care for their loved ones.

The National Stroke Association has a Stroke Support Group Finder resource for caregivers, family members, and people affected by strokes.

Use the Parkinson's Foundation locator to find local chapters and resources near you. In the results listing, you'll find services local chapters offer, including support groups.

The American Cancer Society's "Search for Resources" page enables users to find local support groups for particular types of cancer. Enter in your ZIP code or city and state, then select "support" and the specific cancer in the "program" field.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) created The National Caregiver Support Line to assist VA caregivers, veterans, and others seeking caregiver information to speak with licensed, caring professionals. They can connect you with a Caregiver Support Coordinator at a VA Medical Center near you, or simply offer a listening ear. You can reach the support line at 1-855-260-3274, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST.

Find local support for people with mental health conditions and their caregivers at this comprehensive site. Some support groups are peer-led while others may be led by a mental health professional.

Benefits of a caregiver support group

Benefits of joining caregiver support groups include:

Forming friendships, which can reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, anxiety, or distress

Getting advice from other caregivers regarding practical solutions, treatment options, and what to expect in the future; caregivers can also share their tips and improve or learn new healthy coping skills

Gaining a sense of empowerment and control

Giving a better quality of life to your senior loved one

How can I join a closed (private) Facebook group?

You can find comfort in knowing that closed Facebook groups are private. All posts and comments can only be seen by other members of the group. Your activity will not show on your personal Facebook page.

Follow these steps if you are looking to join a closed Facebook group:

1. Sign in to your account. If you don't already have an account, there are simple steps to sign up for one.

2. Search for the Facebook group you'd like to join, and go to that group's page.

3. Click the "Join Group" button, which sends a request to the group's administrators and organizers.

4. Wait to be admitted into the group. If you do not get a message or notification, refresh your browser or check the group's page later.

Before requesting to join a Facebook group, read the description section. If available, check the special instructions to join or the community guidelines, and assess if this group is the right fit for you.

If at any time you want to leave a Facebook group after your request has been accepted, there are simple steps you can take to do so.

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23 Best Caregiver Support Groups Online and In-Person

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Caregiver support groups that can be found in-person and online for families and individuals caring for their aging loved ones

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National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support | RAINN

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National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support | RAINN

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This hotline provides confidential support and guidance. Trained professionals are available to listen and to help you understand your options. You deserve to be heard, and resources are available to assist you in finding safety and healing.

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National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support | RAINN

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RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available.

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This website discusses the various types of sexual abuse that can affect a child. Sexual abuse occurs when a child or young person is forced, tricked, or manipulated into engaging in sexual activities. Often, they may not realize that what is happening constitutes abuse or that the abuser's actions are wrong.

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Child Sexual Abuse Definition & Facts | Prevent Child Abuse NC

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Child Sexual Abuse Definition & Facts | Prevent Child Abuse NC

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Every nine minutes, child protective services substantiates or finds evidence for a claim of child sexual abuse.

Over 65,000 children are abused in the United States each year.

Approximately one in four adult women and one in thirteen men were abused sexually as children.

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What is child sexual abuse?

Child sexual abuse is defined as sexual activity with a child by an adult, adolescent or older child. If any adult engages in sexual activity with a child, that is sexual abuse. If another child or adolescent engages in sexual activity with a child, a grey area enters where some sexual behavior is innocent exploration rather than abuse.

What are the two types of child sexual abuse?

There are two main types of child sexual abuse: touching and non-touching. Touching includes touching a child's genitals, making a child touch someone else's genitals, playing sexual games, and/or putting objects or body parts inside the vulva or vagina, in the mouth, or in the anus of a child for sexual pleasure. Non-touching abuse includes showing pornography to a child, exposing a person's genitals to a child, prostituting/trafficking a child, photographing a child in sexual poses, encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts either in person or on a video, and/or watching a child undress or use the bathroom.

The Facts

Every nine minutes child protective services substantiates, or finds evidence for, a claim of child sexual abuse.

Over 65,000 children are abused in the United States each year.

Approximately one in four adult women and one in thirteen men were abused sexually as children.*

Experiencing child sexual abuse is an adverse childhood experience (ACE) that can have many long-term impacts on a persons physical and mental health. Including:

Unplanned pregnancies

Chronic health conditions such as obesity or cancer

Depression and PTSD

Substance abuse

Increased risk of suicide

What can you do to prevent child sexual abuse?

Get involved with community-based prevention efforts.

Seek more information about how to prevent abuse and keep children safe.

Protect your own children.

Support child abuse victims.

Teach others about child abuse prevention.

Report suspected child abuse.

In 2013, the NC Alliance of YMCAs adopted Darkness to Light as a statewide initiative to educate and engage communities in the prevention of child sexual abuse. To learn more about this community-based program that educates adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize, and respond when they suspect a child may be a victim of child sexual abuse.

Learn more about Darkness to Light.

Visit the NC Alliance of YMCA's website for a list of YMCA's in NC communities that are participating in this important work.

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Child Sexual Abuse Definition & Facts | Prevent Child Abuse NC

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Child sexual abuse is defined as sexual activity with a child by an adult, adolescent or older child. If any adult engages in sexual activity with a child, that is sexual abuse. If another child or adolescent engages in sexual activity with a child, a grey area enters where some sexual behavior is innocent exploration rather than abuse.

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This website goes over facts on child abuse by race.

93.8% of individuals sentenced for sexual abuse were men.

55.4% were White, 16.0% were Black, 14.0% were Hispanic, 12.3% were Native American, and 2.2% were Other races.

72.7% of individuals in cases involving the production of child pornography were White.

50.0% of individuals in cases involving travel for prohibited sexual contact were White, and 27.9% were Black.

64.9% of individuals in cases involving criminal sexual abuse (rape) were Native American.

65.2% of individuals in cases involving abusive sexual contact were Native American.

90.7% of individuals in cases involving statutory rape were Native American.

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This is a great website for multiple resources for families, teachers, or anyone looking for support. It offers a wealth of information on various topics, including sexual abuse, mental health support, and community engagement. You'll find helpful articles, interactive tools, and links to local services that can assist with everything from parenting tips to classroom strategies.

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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Child sexual abuse is any interaction between a child and an adult (or another child) in which the child is used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator or an observer. Sexual abuse can include both touching and non-touching behaviors. Non-touching behaviors can include voyeurism (trying to look at a child's naked body), exhibitionism, or exposing the child to pornography. Children of all ages, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds may experience sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse affects both girls and boys in all kinds of neighborhoods and communities.

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Child sexual abuse is any interaction between a child and an adult (or another child) in which the child is used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator or an observer. Sexual abuse can include both touching and non-touching behaviors.

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The RRFT model has been evaluated with youth who have experienced physical abuse and assault, exposure to domestic violence and community violence, as well as child sexual abuse, as noted above. This comprehensive evaluation has highlighted the model’s effectiveness in addressing the complex trauma these young individuals face. By integrating therapeutic approaches that focus on resilience, safety, and coping strategies, the RRFT model aims to foster emotional healing and promote healthy relationships

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Annually, approximately 60% of young individuals are subjected to violence within their homes, schools, and communities. This short film draws inspiration from true events, portraying the journey of one affected child and demonstrating the profound influence a caring and supportive adult can have in helping a child heal from trauma and navigate the challenges of exposure to violence.

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Violence against women and children is a human rights violation and public health epidemic. Learn more about our work to prevent violence by building healthier relationships and communities.

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The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) provides various resources and tools to assist early childhood educators and advocates in developing their advocacy skills. They support federal and state advocacy efforts, help organize site visits for policymakers, and share effective communication strategies.

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NAEYC has created a suite of resources and tools to help you gain the necessary knowledge and skills to elevate your voice and advocacy efforts to new levels.

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Using Everyday Classroom Experiences to Advocate for Young Children

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Using Everyday Classroom Experiences to Advocate for Young Children

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This article explores ways early childhood practitioners can use teacher research to advocate for their students effectively. By engaging in systematic inquiry, educators can gather valuable insights into their children's developmental needs and learning experiences. This process not only enhances their understanding of individual and group dynamics in the classroom but also provides a solid foundation for making informed decisions.

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Using Everyday Classroom Experiences to Advocate for Young Children

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This article explores ways that early childhood practitioners can use teacher research to effectively advocate for their students.

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This organization offers a comprehensive toolkit to empower young parents to advocate for change within their communities. The toolkit features valuable tips and resources compiled from the experiences of young parents throughout the U.S. who are addressing issues that are important to them.

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This organization offers resources and support for parents and caregivers to help them advocate for their children's rights and needs. They guide effective advocacy strategies, including understanding relevant issues, proposing solutions, and collaborating with schools and other institutions.

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Advocacy is promoting and defending another person's rights, needs and interests. Children often find it hard to speak up for their own rights, needs and interests. They might need someone to speak for them. An advocate is someone who speaks up for others.

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Advocacy Groups: How Kids Can Make a Difference

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Advocacy Groups: How Kids Can Make a Difference

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This organization empowers children to effect positive change in their communities and beyond. Addressing critical issues such as child welfare, education, and global collaborations enables young people to express their voices, leverage their skills, and channel their passion into supporting the causes that matter to them.

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Advocacy Groups: How Kids Can Make a Difference

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Discover how kids can get involved with advocacy groups and make a positive impact. Learn about age-appropriate ways to support important causes and create change.

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Unresolved trauma refers to traumatic experiences that haven't been fully processed or healed. When someone experiences a traumatic event, their mind and body may not fully recover, leading to lingering effects that can impact their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

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This article explores the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of unresolved trauma.

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Unaddressed trauma can significantly impact a person's mental, emotional, and physical health. If traumatic experiences are not properly dealt with, they can trigger a range of symptoms that disrupt daily life and diminish overall well-being. Signs of unresolved trauma include:

Flashbacks

Panic attacks

Nightmares

Irritability

Consistently on high alert

Hero Complex

Excessive self-pity

Difficulty managing relationships and new bonds

Suicidal or self-harm thoughts

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Golden Gate Recovery In Marin County, CA

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Trauma invokes the same response as stress. When the body feels stressed, it produces cortisol, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. These three hormones provide the flight or fight response in dangerous situations. When stress or danger disappears, so do these hormones.

When someone has unresolved trauma, their body is always on high alert. This means that these three hormones will be secreted regularly. This can reduce the body's ability to perform efficiently. It can also lead to other physical health problems such as burnout. Burnout, in turn, leads to fatigue, dizziness, and low productivity.

Other physical health challenges include stroke and high blood pressure. Obesity and some types of cancer can also be caused by unresolved trauma.

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Understanding Unresolved Trauma - Golden Gate Recovery - CA

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Traumatic memories can stay with us for a long time and lead to unresolved trauma. But, Golden Gate Recovery offers treatment for unresolved trauma and addiction.

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Unresolved trauma can profoundly influence various aspects of an individual’s life, leaving lasting scars on their mental, emotional, and physical health. When these painful experiences remain unprocessed and ignored, they often lead to a complex array of symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and physical ailments. These manifestations can impede daily activities, strain relationships, and ultimately degrade the overall quality of life, making simple tasks overwhelming and fostering isolation and despair.

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The impact of unprocessed trauma will often result in mental and physical difficulties. However, unprocessed trauma can be resolved.

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Identifying subtle signs of unresolved trauma can be challenging, as they often manifest in ways that might not be immediately obvious. Here are five subtle signs to look out for that the video talks about.

1. Chronic Pain: Unexplained physical ailments, such as headaches, gastrointestinal issues, or muscle aches, can sometimes be linked to unresolved trauma.

2. Emotional Numbness: Feeling emotionally detached or numb, even in situations that typically elicit a strong emotional response.

3. Irritability and Anger: Frequent irritability or unexplained anger outbursts can be signs of underlying trauma.

4. People-Pleasing Behavior: A tendency to go out of one's way to please others, often to avoid conflict or rejection.

5. Perfectionism: An excessive drive for perfection, possibly stemming from needing approval or avoiding criticism.

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5 SUBTLE signs of unresolved TRAUMA. How to identify these subtle signs of unresolved TRAUMA.

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How unresolved trauma can ruin your relationship

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How unresolved trauma can ruin your relationship

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This article talks about how Unresolved trauma can profoundly shape the trajectory of an individual’s life, leaving enduring imprints on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. When traumatic experiences are left unaddressed, they can give rise to a multifaceted array of symptoms, including persistent anxiety, deep-seated depression, and various physical health issues such as chronic pain and fatigue. These symptoms can create a relentless cycle of distress, where the individual finds it increasingly difficult to engage in everyday activities, maintain meaningful relationships, or pursue personal goals.

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World Trauma Day 2023: How unresolved trauma can ruin your relationship

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Traumatic experiences can have an impact on your health and life. So, on World Trauma Day, check out how unresolved trauma can affect your relationship.

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In this video, they explore the various signs that indicate someone may be facing emotional trauma and the pathways to healing. Emotional trauma can arise from many different life experiences that have impacted my well-being. They reflect on sources such as difficult childhood experiences, instances of sexual abuse, the violence associated with gang life, the realities of war, the fear of terrorist incidents, and the pain caused by physical abuse. Each of these experiences has the potential to leave lasting effects.

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signs of unresolved emotional trauma - - Video Search Results

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The search engine that helps you find exactly what you’re looking for. Find the most relevant information, video, images, and answers from all across the Web.

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Alan Helps Big Bird Learn How to Overcome Trauma | Traumatic Experiences

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Alan Helps Big Bird Learn How to Overcome Trauma | Traumatic Experiences

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This episode is designed to teach children about dealing with traumatic experiences in a gentle and supportive way.

In this segment, Alan likely explains trauma and provides Big Bird with strategies to manage his feelings. The goal is to help children recognize their emotions, understand that it’s okay to feel upset and learn ways to cope with difficult experiences. This content is important because it helps children build resilience and emotional intelligence from a young age.

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Alan Helps Big Bird Learn How to Overcome Trauma | Traumatic Experiences

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This page provides information on the legal requirements for mandated reporters in Michigan, including how to report suspected child abuse or neglect and the Michigan Online Reporting System (MORS)

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Legal Requirements

In accordance with section (3) of MCL 722.623 - the Child Protection Law - teachers, school counselors and school administrators are required to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect as mandated reporters.

Michigan Child Protection Law requires mandated reporters who have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect to make an immediate oral report to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) - Centralized Intake (855-444- 3911), followed by a written report within 72 hours OR create a report through the Michigan Online Reporting System (MORS). A written report is not required if MORS was utilized to address the alleged abuse/neglect.

The reporter is not expected to investigate the matter, know the legal definitions of child abuse and neglect or even know the name of the perpetrator, but the law does require reporting abuse within 72 hours. Investigations are confidential and thus it is appropriate to err on the side of children's safety, which means immediately reporting suspected abuse and then proceeding with the investigation and request for additional information. The Child Protection Law is intended to make reporting simple and places responsibility for determining appropriate action with the Children's Protective Services (CPS) division of MDHHS.
Notifying parents/guardians, school administrators or other individuals of authority is not adequate fulfillment of mandatory reporting requirements. Michigan Online Reporting System

Mandated Reporter Resources

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect in Michigan

More information about mandated reporting, online reporting, training resources, and general requirements is available on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Mandated Reporters webpage.

MDHHS Mandated Reporters Information

Appropriately Handling Disclosure

In cooperation with the Firecracker Foundation, the Michigan Department of Education has released training materials for appropriately handing disclosure.

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In accordance with section (3) of MCL 722.623 - the Child Protection Law - teachers, school counselors and school administrators are required to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect as mandated reporters.

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This slideshow offers valuable resources and comprehensive training materials designed for educators. It focuses on effectively handling disclosures of abuse while ensuring that they fulfill their reporting obligations. The materials aim to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately and sensitively in these critical situations.

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American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children

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American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children

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APSAC aims to enhance the community's approach to addressing the abuse and neglect of children. APSAC dreams of a world in which every maltreated or vulnerable child and their families receive the utmost dedication and quality of service from professionals.

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American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC)

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American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children

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APSAC is your source for networking, trainings, education, publications and resources in the discipline of child maltreatment and related fields.

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Child help National Child Abuse Hotline |

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Child help National Child Abuse Hotline 

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Child help National Child Abuse Hotline 

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This resource provides comprehensive support and information for mandated reporters, detailing the steps necessary to report suspected child abuse and neglect. It includes guidelines on identifying signs of abuse, understanding reporters' legal obligations, and filing a report. Additionally, the resource offers insights on navigating sensitive situations, maintaining confidentiality, and connecting reporters to local resources and support services that can assist both the reporter and the affected individuals.

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Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline |

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This article talks about how A mandated reporter is an individual whose profession legally requires them to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. These laws exist to protect children from abuse and to address any potential instances of abuse or neglect as early as possible.

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What is a Mandated Reporter? - Social Work Degree Guide

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A mandated reporter is a person who, because of his or her profession, is legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities. These laws are in place to prevent children from being abused

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This provides steps and all the information you need on different ways to report, such as verbal, written, or online, along with phone numbers, websites, addresses, and much more.

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This article discusses how the behavioral symptoms exhibited by children who have experienced trauma are frequently misinterpreted. Instead of recognizing these behaviors as responses to trauma, they are often perceived as deliberate actions or classified as diagnosable disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (van der Kolk 2005). To effectively address the challenging behaviors of these children, it is essential for teachers to maintain regular communication with the families of their students.

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Many early childhood educators are likely to encounter young children who have experienced trauma on a daily basis.

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This video explores the critical importance of providing trauma-informed care and the vital role that caregivers play in this process. It discusses the specific needs of individuals who have experienced trauma and how caregivers can be better equipped to support them effectively. By understanding the impact of trauma on mental and emotional well-being, caregivers can create a safe and nurturing environment that promotes healing and resilience.

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Why We Need Trauma-Sensitive Schools (updated 8/2017)

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This video describes how you can transform your classroom into a trauma-informed one. 

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This video describes how you can transform your classroom into a trauma-informed one. 

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This video describes how you can transform your classroom into a trauma-informed one. 

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This video offers a comprehensive guide on transforming your classroom into a trauma-informed environment. It covers practical strategies and techniques to create a safe and supportive space that recognizes and addresses the effects of trauma on students. Through thoughtful approaches and practices, educators can foster resilience and promote a positive learning experience for all.

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This article provides an in-depth look at the three major categories essential for transforming your classroom into a trauma-informed environment. It examines the key elements that contribute to creating a supportive and understanding atmosphere, focusing on the importance of building strong relationships, fostering a sense of safety, and implementing effective teaching strategies that address the needs of students affected by trauma.

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This article explores trauma-informed practices that can be implemented across various areas within school communities. By understanding the impact of trauma on student behavior and learning, educators, staff, and administrators can work together to create inclusive spaces that promote healing and growth.

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Trauma-Informed Practices (TIP) have been a topic of interest and need for the past several years. Researchers have defined TIP as a set of practices that address the impact of trauma by creating a safe and caring environment. Trauma-informed practices focus on creating a safe school culture, building relationships, and supporting students' self-efficacy. Despite the plethora of research on trauma-informed practices, sometimes research-based practices are disconnected from the daily needs of educators in the field.

Below is a list of common Trauma-Informed practices that educators can implement across all educational settings. This list has been reviewed by a group of educators representing education support professionals, teachers, and specialized instructional support personnel.

Support students from the bus stop to the classroom (and beyond!)
Using trauma-informed practices across all educational spaces can help educators collaborate to support student mental and physical health.Supporting students across settings helps to foster a positive school climate where students feel safe and confident. Be intentional in supporting families and community members in understanding and using trauma-informed practices for long-term student success.

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No matter where you work in our school communities, you can use these practices to create safe and supportive learning environments for all students.

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The article offers practical tips for teachers on how to recognize signs of trauma, build strong relationships with students, and integrate trauma-informed practices into their curriculum and classroom management. Overall, it emphasizes the need for awareness and empathy to support the emotional and academic success of all students.

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Children act out all the time, but "naughty" behavior does not indicate naughty kids. When children deal with stress, their brains move into a fight-or-flight mode. All of our brains do this. It's the brain's way of saying, "you're in trouble, and you better do something about it."

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The Implications of Poverty, Oversights, and Medication to Childhood Trauma Care

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The Implications of Poverty, Oversights, and Medication to Childhood Trauma Care

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Children from impoverished and lower-income neighborhoods are at a greater risk of encountering trauma, which can manifest as exposure to community violence, domestic violence, personal violence, and substance abuse. When a child resides in an environment marked by substance abuse or domestic violence, or when poverty creates a backdrop of toxic stress for the family, the child may struggle with feelings of neglect, lack of appreciation, or unworthiness of love and care.

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This is Part 2 of a series that addresses childhood trauma and how we can help. In Part 1, I discussed the stats, types, and signs of trauma exposure. Impact of Poverty I don't believe what I saw.
Poverty is, if not the primary factor, why we have too many children being traumatized. Children living in poverty or low-income settings and others in Child Protective Services (CPS) or foster care are more likely to experience one or multiple forms of childhood trauma.

When we consider the types and signs of trauma exposure covered in Part 1 of this series, as well as possible higher crime rates, substance abuse, and violence discussed, a triage approach focused on the lower spectrum of socio-economic status (SES) could be beneficial to efforts combating childhood trauma.

Children living in poverty and lower-income communities are more likely to experience trauma in the form of exposure to violence in the community, domestic violence, personal/interpersonal violence, and substance abuse. If a child lives in a home with substance abuse or domestic violence or living in poverty is leading to toxic stress for the family, the youth might also not feel cared for, appreciated, or loved.

Many in poverty don't have or adequately utilize insurance, so the chances increase that they might have a caregiver suffering from mental illness and not being treated. Meanwhile, emotional abuse might become another traumatic experience. According to clinical colleagues, emotional abuse has historically been among the most insidious and damaging forms of childhood trauma and is often overlooked.

But for those living in poverty, such children, by default, are experiencing poverty conditions. There also is a higher probability their schools and walks to school are more likely not to be as safe as they deserve, and as a result, they might more frequently be bullied or witness school violence.

Please also note that according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service Administration for Children and Families (ACF), children and families involved with child welfare are disproportionately poorer than the general population, and children in foster care are largely drawn from families living at or below the poverty level.

Thus, most kids monitored by CPS and in foster care are typically exposed to the same levels of conditions and traumatic events as children in poverty and low-income communities. And for kids being taken from their homes to be put in foster care ( experience forced displacement), we add on another trauma experience.

The types of trauma exposure more closely tied to lower SES and child welfare (as italicized above) equate to about 11 of the nearly 20 categories of childhood trauma. When we consider the age of these children when the trauma occurs (the younger, the worse impact) and the frequency of incidents (how many times did they experience each of these categories), the probability increases of additional physical and emotional damage due to childhood trauma as well as having caregivers exposed to trauma.
Implications to Child Welfare and Education Rescue me before I fall into despair.
Reflecting on the signs of trauma I shared in Part 1 of this series, let's think about the implications that such understandable and justifiable reactions to trauma have on education and the challenges it provides to educators trying to achieve a moment of Zen and make test scores miraculously reach levels of proficiency.

For example, if across urban districts nationwide, a considerable percentage of students in an average classroom have experienced childhood trauma, these signs and symptoms most likely contribute to disruptive student behaviors and feelings or mindsets unbeneficial to a productive learning environment.

These signs and symptoms most likely keep students from focusing or finding lessons of interest. And if the children are not being treated for such trauma, how can we expect educators to be able to teach populations of children who have been traumatized?

Think about the implications of trauma to child welfare. Every child going through CPS or foster care has experienced at least one or four or more categories of childhood trauma. Meanwhile, states only have a handful of programs or providers to support and treat these kids. Most of these service providers are urban-based, leaving rural areas with less access to resources.

What are case and social workers supposed to do when they have limited time due to heavy caseloads? With possibly limited training in how to help traumatized kids and very few places to send the youth for help, and nearly every child they see every day has experienced childhood trauma, what are caseworkers supposed to do?

In many states, my child welfare team applying a VitalChild-VitalClient-focused lens has been told that due to limited-service providers, it could take months for a child to get an appointment with a therapist, clinician, or counselor. This is due to the shortage of providers and the backlog of clients and is challenged further by outdated assessments and technology-driven processes to expedite more efficient care.
The Mistakes and Oversights Message in a bottle.
But even once children in child welfare and low-income communities are assigned to a mental health practitioner, in many cases, there are a few serious mistakes taking place. And these mistakes start with meeting the professional obligation to ensure diagnostic clarity and accuracy.

Unfortunately, given the abnormal number of mental disorders foster children are being diagnosed with, and multiple types of psychotropic drugs, too many foster children are being prescribed (i.e., Google "over-medicated foster children lawsuit"), when it comes to our most vulnerable lower SES youth there is a high probability that counselors and clinicians, and most definitely psychiatrists, are too often misdiagnosing concerning trauma behaviors and symptoms to be reflective of a mental disorder. Why?

This is most likely due to symptoms used to diagnose common mental disorders closely reflecting signs of childhood trauma. For example, if a child is displaying reactive behaviors from childhood trauma reflective of anxiety, depression, anger, fear, shame, problems with trust, difficulty concentrating, self-destructive or risky behaviors, and withdrawal, and if trauma was not the clinician's first concern (aka another oversight), it might be an understandable mistake to diagnose a child with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and several other mental disorders.

But as discussed above, if you are working with a low-income child or a youth in CPS or foster care, why would you not think of and seek to identify and possibly treat trauma first?

Also, due to a misguided ethical belief that mental health practitioners must endorse medicating a client when a mental disorder is identified, too many are taking a medication-guided symptom-by-symptom approach to treatment. Too many mental health practitioners are endorsing or prescribing a collection of powerful mind-controlling brain-numbing drugs to mask or minimize each-and-every symptom of a disorder that a youth hypothetically has.

Therefore, a foster child possibly exhibiting many concerning behaviors, most likely related to trauma, could end up being put on three to a half dozen dangerous medications because they possibly were misdiagnosed with three mental disorders.

Many need to consider that these disturbing symptoms possibly react to trauma exposure. These "symptoms" are reactions to life, a warning sign that someone is unsafe, in trouble, or need of care. Suppressing these trauma symptoms with drugs is like taking the batteries out of a smoke detector. These reactions are coping skills (good or bad) that are the result of an incident or collection of incidents that cause childhood trauma.
I'm Sending Out an S.O.S.
How can we label basic and justifiable reactions to the challenges of a trauma-conflicted life as signs of a latent mental disorder? It's called being human. But as the black box warnings for nearly every psychotropic drug prescribed share, these drugs come with side effects (which might be better labeled direct effects).

And these "side effects" such as suicidal ideation, worse depression, OCD tendencies, drug addiction, and even overdose and death are often worse than the original symptoms being medicated. When one displays more symptoms due to the side effects accompanied by these psychotropic drugs, it, unfortunately, can lead to a diagnosis of more mental disorders and more meds, a vicious cycle.

Treating trauma first is paramount because, as noted, these behaviors are in response to the attempts to manage the pain, fear, and distress from the traumatic experience. Failing to address such feelings first may simply result in different behaviors emerging to cope with the unresolved pain.

Imagine trying to balance a large water balloon in your hands. Supporting one end only displaces the water to the other side, as you then struggle to contain it.

Failing to effectively address trauma first increases the likelihood of a frustrated client, as they realize treatment is not really fixing the problem. As for child welfare and education agencies seeking to improve levels of care and shorten the duration of services needed, treating trauma first without medication holds great hope.

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The Implications of Poverty, Oversights, and Medication to Childhood Trauma Care

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Why are over 48 million traumatized kids in the United States? Knowing the facts could combat childhood trauma.

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understanding the impact of trauma urban poverty family systems

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understanding the impact of trauma on urban poverty family systems

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understanding the impact of trauma on urban poverty family systems

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49% of American children in urban areas (9.7 million) live in low-income families.

Families of color are disproportionally represented in impoverished urban neighborhoods.

Black and Latino families with children are more than twice as likely as white families with children to experience economic hardships.

Families constitute two-fifths of the U.S. homeless population, which increases the risk of trauma exposure and intense anxiety and uncertainty.

83% of inner city youth report experiencing one or more traumatic events.

1 out of 10 children under the age of six living in a major American city report witnessing a shooting or stabbing.

59% - 91% of children and youth in the community mental health system report trauma exposure.

60% - 90% of youth in juvenile justice have experienced traumas.

Urban males experience higher levels of exposure to trauma, especially violence-related incidents. At the same time, females are four times more likely to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following exposure to traumatic events.

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How trauma and poverty impact a child's brain

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How trauma and poverty impact a child's brain

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This video discusses how children living in poverty release a stress hormone that rewrites their brains and alters their thinking.

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How trauma and poverty impact a child's brain

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5 Ways Trauma And Poverty Affect Childhood Development

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5 Ways Trauma And Poverty Affect Childhood Development

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This article discusses how reducing hardships and negative or traumatic situations for pregnant women and families with young children can lead to improved health outcomes over their lifetimes, as well as cost savings. By minimizing the number and severity of chronic diseases and illnesses, society benefits from early investments in child well-being. Specifically, conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and depression—each associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—can be reduced.

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Poverty, neglect, housing instability, violence, food insecurity and separation from parents all affect childhood development - and thus, lifelong health. Although children are born ready to learn and grow, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur in youth resulting in toxic stress.

And that toxic stress from ACEs can literally change how the brain develops and affect how the body responds to stress as one ages. Specifically, per the CDC, ACEs have been linked to chronic health problems, mental illness and substance misuse in adulthood. However, prevention of ACEs can go a long way in improving health throughout life. In fact, according to a recent National Press Foundation (NPF) briefing, three of the five most costly adult diseases are associated with early life adversity.

However, the American Academy of Pediatrics clarifies, "While some stress in life is normal-and even necessary for development-the type of stress that results when a child experiences ACEs may become toxic when there is strong, frequent, or prolonged activation of the body's stress response systems in the absence of the buffering protection of a supportive, adult relationship." And this toxic response can be destructive over the lifetime.

During the NPF discussion, children's advocate and President and CEO of Children's Institute Swati Adarkar, alongside one of the nation's leading experts on brain development in young children, Dr. Jack P. Shonkoff, Director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University and chair of the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, discussed how timing of adverse events during critical periods of growth impact development. More specifically, they addressed how our brains and bodies respond to stimuli, events and environment as we age and face adversity.

And what they emphasized was that the biology and neurology of adversity and resilience explain how traumatic and toxic stress can destabilize healthy development. But they also remarked from experience that prevention (or reduction) of toxic stress in pregnant women and children can reduce harmful outcomes - suggesting that through intentional policy changes and action, some ACEs can be avoided or alleviated.

Here are the top five takeaways from the NPF briefing:

1. Brain Development Varies Over Time: During development in the womb billions of neurons form trillions of connections. However, brain maturation isn't complete in humans until about age 25. With the CDC noting that much of building a foundation for children's learning, health and overall life success is grounded in the first eight years of life - with special attention paid to growth in years two-seven. But even into the teen years and early twenties trauma, neglect or the kinds of fear rooted in instability and insecurity can continue to alter and influence the mental, emotional and physical health of individuals.

2. Poverty Affects One In Six American Children: Snapshots of poverty in 2018 show a troubling picture for America's youth, with 13 million children food insecure and one in six children living in poverty (before the Covid-19 pandemic). Adarkar explained for many children "early life conditions are not setting them up for the kind of success that we know is important," - with the resulting stress contributing to worse educational outcomes, career opportunities and overall health.

3. Mental, Emotional And Physical: Toxic stress in young people leads to inflammation, which in turn in linked to diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Dr. Shonkoff points to a growing body of literature finding, "What happens in early childhood can have substantial effects on both short- and long-term outcomes for learning, behavior, mental health and physical health. So, the effects of trauma are initially processed by the developing brain, but the cascading consequences are expressed in many ways later in life.

4. No Event Guarantees An Outcome: Can children grow up in poverty or experience a stressful ACE and be okay? Of course. And many do. Parents are often able to shield their children from many of the difficulties in life. Just like a person predisposed to a genetic health issue can take precautions to limit the likelihood of disease onset or severity. But are children more likely to experience poor outcomes if they experience toxic stress? Yes. The issue, according to the experts is variability. The likelihood is greater for later life poor health if a child experiences "sustained racism, poverty, violence, housing instability and food insecurity."

5. Early Investments In Children Pay Off: Reducing hardships and negative or traumatic situations for pregnant women and families of small children can potentially show not only improved health across the lifespan, but also saved costs. By reducing the number and severity of chronic diseases and illnesses, society benefits from early investments into children well-being. Specifically, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and depression - all of which are associated with ACEs - can be reduced. Dr. Shonkoff has also published work showing that early childhood investments that prevent toxic stress in children in the first two years of life having the highest payoff.

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5 Ways Trauma And Poverty Affect Childhood Development

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Poverty, neglect, housing instability, violence, food insecurity and separation from parents all affect childhood development - and thus, lifelong health. Yet, 13 million children are food insecure and one in six children live in poverty. Here are 5 things to know about trauma and childhood.

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How Growing Up Poor Can Affect Brain Development in Adults

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How Growing Up Poor Can Affect Brain Development in Adults

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This article explores how poverty can adversely affect neurocognitive development, emphasizing the significant role that stress plays in this relationship. Children growing up in impoverished environments often face numerous challenges, including limited access to quality education, inadequate nutrition, and unstable living conditions. These factors contribute to chronic stress, disrupting normal brain development and impairing cognitive functioning. As a result, individuals who experience poverty-related stress may struggle with memory, attention, and overall learning abilities. Understanding the intricate connections between poverty, stress, and neurocognitive development is crucial for developing effective interventions to support affected individuals and promote healthier developmental outcomes.

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How Growing Up Poor Can Affect Brain Development in Adults

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Poverty has many damaging effects. Learn how growing up poor can affect the adult brain and mental development.

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How does the 'toxic stress' of poverty hurt the developing brain?

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How does the 'toxic stress' of poverty hurt the developing brain?

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How does the 'toxic stress' of poverty hurt the developing brain?

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This video explores how chronic stress from growing up in poverty can negatively impact children's brain development and cognitive abilities. It follows the story of Ruth, a mother of four who immigrated from Honduras and faced numerous hardships, including violence and depression. The video also highlights Child First, which offers home visits and counseling to low-income families to help them cope with challenges and improve their parenting skills.

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How does 'toxic stress' of poverty hurt the developing brain?

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What is Trauma? Understanding Its Impact and Paths to Healing.

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What is Trauma? Understanding Its Impact and Paths to Healing.

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This article is about trauma and its various forms, such as emotional and physical harm resulting from violence, abuse, neglect, natural disasters, or sudden loss. It discusses how trauma can affect individuals directly or indirectly, and gives examples of professions and situations where trauma can be experienced. This could range from experiences of violence, abuse, and neglect to natural disasters or the sudden loss of a loved one. Trauma can be experienced directly, such as by those working in high-stress professions like police officers, or indirectly, like therapists who hear about the traumatic experiences of others.

As a preschool teacher, understanding trauma and its impacts can be valuable in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for the children in your care. Recognizing signs of trauma in young children and knowing how to respond appropriately can help create a safe and secure space for them to learn and grow. Additionally, being aware of potential sources of trauma, such as family situations or community events, can guide you in providing the necessary support for children who may be affected.

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What Is Trauma? Understanding Its Impact and Paths to Healing

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Trauma is a pervasive issue that affects a significant portion of the global population, with about 70 percent of people experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Understanding trauma, its effects, and the paths to healing can offer invaluable insights into both personal and communal well-being.

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This article is about defining trauma and its pervasive effects. It describes trauma as resulting from exposure to emotionally disturbing or life-threatening events, and lists examples of experiences that may be traumatic, including abuse, neglect, living with family members with mental health or substance use disorders, sudden separation from a loved one, poverty, racism, discrimination, and violence in the community or during war or terrorism. The article also emphasizes the long-term effects of trauma, especially on children's developing brains, and discusses adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as a common occurrence across all sectors.

As a preschool teacher, understanding the effects of trauma on young children can be crucial for creating a supportive and nurturing environment. Recognizing signs of trauma in children and being able to provide appropriate support and care can make a significant difference in their well-being and development. Additionally, being aware of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can help in taking preventive measures and creating a safe and inclusive space for all children.

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What is Trauma? - Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center

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Learn about trauma, its causes, and the negative long-term effects of trauma on health and wellbeing.

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This article discusses psychological trauma, which is a response to highly stressful events such as being in a war zone, experiencing a natural disaster, or being in an accident. It explains that trauma can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms and that not everyone who experiences a stressful event will develop trauma. The article also mentions the various types of trauma and how some people may have symptoms that resolve after a few weeks while others may experience more long-term effects. It emphasizes that with treatment, people can address the root cause of the trauma and find constructive ways to manage their symptoms.

As a preschool teacher, understanding psychological trauma can benefit you in several ways. First, it can help you recognize potential signs of trauma in young children who may have experienced highly stressful events. Second, it can assist you in creating a safe and supportive environment for children who may be dealing with trauma. Understanding trauma can also guide you in effectively communicating with parents or guardians to provide the best possible support for the children in your care.

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Psychological trauma is a response to an event that a person finds highly stressful. Examples include being in a war zone, a natural disaster, or an accident. Trauma can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms.

Not everyone who experiences a stressful event will develop trauma. There are also various types of trauma. Some people will develop symptoms that resolve after a few weeks, while others will have more long-term effects.

With treatment, people can address the root cause of the trauma and find constructive ways to manage their symptoms.

In this article, we discuss the various types of trauma, trauma symptoms, and the available treatment options.

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Addressing the root cause of trauma can be an effective way to manage both physical and emotional symptoms.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), trauma is "an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster."

However, a person may experience trauma as a response to any event they find physically or emotionally threatening or harmful.

A traumatized person can feel a range of emotions both immediately after the event and in the long term. They may feel overwhelmed, helpless, shocked, or have difficulty processing their experiences. Trauma can also cause physical symptoms.

Trauma can have long-term effects on the person's well-being. If symptoms persist and do not decrease in severity, it can indicate that the trauma has developed into a mental health disorder called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

There are several types of trauma, including:

Acute trauma: This results from a single stressful or dangerous event.

Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events. Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence.

Complex trauma: This results from exposure to multiple traumatic events.

Secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, is another form of trauma. With this form of trauma, a person develops trauma symptoms from close contact with someone who has experienced a traumatic event.

Family members, mental health professionals, and others who care for those who have experienced a traumatic event are at risk of vicarious trauma. The symptoms often mirror those of PTSD.

The symptoms of trauma range from mild to severe. Many factors determine how a traumatic event affects a person, :

their characteristics

the presence of other mental health conditions

previous exposure to traumatic events

the type and characteristics of the event or events

their background and approach to handling emotions

Emotional and psychological responses

A person who has experienced trauma :

They may have emotional outbursts, find it difficult to cope with how they feel, or withdraw from others. Flashbacks, where a person relives the traumatic event in their mind, are common, as are nightmares.

Physical responses

Along with an emotional reaction, trauma can cause physical symptoms, such as:

Sometimes, a person will also experience hyperarousal, or when someone feels as though they are in a constant state of alertness. This may make it difficult to sleep.

Individuals may also go on to develop other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse problems.

Some research estimates that of people in North America experience a traumatic event at some point. The charity Mind in the United Kingdom lists the following as potential causes of trauma:

bullying

harassment

physical, psychological, or sexual abuse

sexual assault

traffic collisions

childbirth

life threatening illnesses

sudden loss of a loved one

being attacked

being kidnapped

acts of terrorism

natural disasters

war

Traumatic events can be isolated or repeated, ongoing events. A person can also experience trauma after witnessing something traumatic happening to someone else.

People have different reactions to traumatic events. For example, those who live through the same natural disaster can respond very differently despite experiencing the same event.

PTSD develops when the symptoms of trauma persist or get worse in the weeks and months after the stressful event. PTSD is distressing and interferes with a person's daily life and relationships.

Symptoms include severe anxiety, flashbacks, and persistent memories of the event.

Another symptom of PTSD is avoidance behaviors. If a person tries to avoid thinking about the traumatic event, visiting the place where it occurred, or avoiding its triggers, it can be a sign of PTSD.

PTSD may last for years, although treatment can help people to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Risk factors for developing PTSD include:

previous trauma

physical pain or injury

having little support after the trauma

dealing with other stressors at the same time, such as financial difficulty

previous anxiety or depression

Most people who experience a traumatic event do not develop PTSD. The National Institute of Mental Health estimate that the lifetime prevalence of PTSD in the United States is 6.8%.

Research indicates that children are especially vulnerable to trauma because their brains are still developing.

Children experience a heightened state of stress during terrible events, and their bodies release hormones related to stress and fear.

This type of developmental trauma can disrupt normal brain development. As a result, trauma, especially ongoing trauma, can significantly affect a child's long-term emotional development, mental health, physical health, and behavior.

The sense of fear and helplessness may persist into adulthood. It leaves the person at a significantly higher risk of the effects of future trauma.

Several treatments can help people with trauma to cope with their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Therapy

Therapy is a first-line treatment for trauma. Ideally, an individual will work with a trauma informed or trauma focused therapist.

Types of therapy a person with trauma could benefit from include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people to change their thought patterns in order to influence their behaviors and emotions. supports CBT as the most effective approach for PTSD.
Learn more about CBT here.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, is another common trauma therapy.

During EMDR, individuals briefly relive specific traumatic experiences while the therapist directs their eye movements. EMDR aims to help people process and integrate traumatic memories.

Several randomized controlled have demonstrated that EMDR is an effective treatment for PTSD.
Learn more about EDMR here.
Somatic therapies

Some therapists use somatic or body-based techniques to help the mind and the body process trauma.

A review of the literature in the Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia found that body-based therapies could help a range of people. These therapies include:

Somatic experiencing: This approach involves a therapist helping a person to relive traumatic memories in a safe space.

Sensorimotor psychotherapy: This type of therapy combines psychotherapy with body-based techniques to turn traumatic memories into sources of strength.

Acupoint stimulation: This involves a practitioner applying pressure to specific points on the body, which induces a state of relaxation.

Touch therapies: Other touch therapies include Reiki, healing touch, and therapeutic touch therapy.

At present, there is not as much evidence to prove the effectiveness of somatic therapies as there is for CBT and EDMR. Researchers note that more data on these methods will help to determine how they work.

Medications

Medication alone cannot cure trauma or PTSD, but it can help a person manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. A person should talk to their doctor about their options.

Practicing self-care can help individuals to cope with the emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms of trauma. Examples of self-care for trauma include:

Exercise

Trauma can activate the body's fight-or-flight response. Exercise may help mitigate some of these effects.

suggests that aerobic exercise may be an effective therapy for people with PTSD.

Individuals can aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week.

Mindfulness

Mindful breathing and other mindfulness-based exercises can ground people in the present, which can stop them from reliving the traumatic event.

suggest that mindfulness-based treatments are a promising intervention for PTSD, whether alone or in conjunction with other treatments.

Connection with others

Withdrawal from others is a common symptom of trauma. However, connecting with friends and family is important.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, staying in contact with people can help to prevent trauma from becoming PTSD.

It is not necessary to talk about the trauma with other people if it is too difficult. Simply engaging with others can improve mood and well-being. Some people feel a benefit from disclosing the trauma with people they trust.

A balanced lifestyle

A person with trauma may find it difficult to relax or to sleep well. However, sleep, relaxation, and diet all play a role in mental health. If possible, a person should try to:

sleep for 7-9 hours a night

eat a balanced diet

avoid alcohol and drugs

relieve stress with mindful or enjoyable activities

Support

If necessary, people can ask for support from others. This includes talking to trusted loved ones or joining a support group for trauma survivors.

People who experience persistent or severe symptoms of trauma should seek help from a mental health professional. It is especially important to seek help if the trauma symptoms interfere with daily functioning or relationships with others.

Even those with mild symptoms can feel better once they talk to someone.

Most people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. Some may experience symptoms of shock and distress, and most will recover within a short period.

A minority will experience more long-term traumatic effects, such as the development of PTSD. Therapy and self-care can help those with persistent trauma symptoms to manage these symptoms and improve their quality of life.

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What is trauma? Types, symptoms, and treatments

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Psychological trauma is a response to an event that a person finds highly stressful. Examples include being in a war zone, a natural disaster, or an accident. Trauma can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. Not everyone who experiences a stressful event will develop trauma.

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The Importance of Becoming Trauma-Informed

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The Importance of Becoming Trauma-Informed

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This article discusses the lack of awareness and understanding of mental health disorders, particularly complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). It emphasizes the need for greater education among the public and medical professionals to facilitate informed and supportive actions.

Understanding mental health disorders, such as complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), can help preschool teachers create a more supportive and nurturing environment for their students. By being aware of the signs and symptoms of CPTSD, teachers can better understand and assist young children who may be affected. Additionally, having this knowledge can help teachers provide appropriate support to any students who may be dealing with trauma or distress. This can contribute to a more inclusive and understanding classroom environment, benefiting both the students and the teacher.

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Many people are ill-informed or know nothing about mental health disorders, including complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and how it affects those around them. There are hundreds if not thousands of mental health challenges, and unfortunately, the stigma surrounds them.

This article will explore trauma and how the public and medical professionals must learn more so that informed actions can be taken.
The Stigma That Holds Us Back
Early in the 18 th century, people living with a brain disorder such as a reaction to trauma were shut away in their family home in a secluded bedroom, prison, or an almshouse. The treatment they received was inferior, with the main two being bloodletting or substances to cause vomiting. People didn't try to understand the trauma-formed mental health disorder their loved ones had; they just hid them away and treated them as outcasts.

That stigma (discrimination) against people with trauma didn't end with the 19 th century, as in the 1920s and 1930s, the use of asylums increased as more were built. The problem with these asylums is that they lacked hygiene, were overcrowded, and were places of abuse of patients. There was no actual treatment for trauma.

Today, in the 21 st century, things have improved for the traumatized with the dawn of new medications and treatments, but people still do not understand the complicated sphere of trauma-induced mental health problems. This lack of understanding and unwillingness to examine how people living with trauma challenges should be treated led to discrimination.
Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care
Most people have heard the word trauma but are clueless about what the word means. Trauma is an emotional response to a stunning event such as rape, natural disaster, or the sudden death of a loved one. Soon after the event ends, shock and denial set in. However, longer-term reactions include flashbacks, unpredictable emotions, and problems with intimate relationships.

Trauma-informed care is a method of thinking and interventions engaged by learning about the serious neurological, psychological, biological, and social effects trauma has on the traumatized.

Recognizing that someone has been traumatized and then treating them for the terror they still feel inside is critical to helping them heal. Medical professionals must recognize the traumatized needs for connection and safety and offer methods to manage emotions and impulses.
The Importance of Truthful Information for Physicians
The world is awakening slowly to the importance of understanding what trauma is and how to treat it. Becoming trauma-informed is vital for the public and those who treat them because many do not understand trauma.

While there is a lot of research and literature available, we must make sure there is much more truthful information made available. Those who treat mental health patients need not be in the dark or treat those who live with mental health issues, like complex post-traumatic stress disorder, differently than anyone else.
What is Trauma-Informed Approach?
People who become trauma-informed learn about how trauma alters the lives of those who have experienced it. A trauma-informed therapist or another licensed caregiver can recognize through proper training and trauma-informed reading material how to be helpful to their clients and not harmful.

In the United States, there is a federal organization called Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA). They have this to say about trauma and its effects on adults and children.

"Trauma has no boundaries regarding age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Trauma is a common experience for adults and children in American communities, and it is especially common in the lives of people with mental and substance use disorders. For this reason, the need to address trauma is increasingly seen as an important part of effective behavioral health care and an integral part of the healing and recovery process."

But what does trauma-informed mean, and how can a licensed professional learn about the trauma-informed approach? Here again, we can turn to SAMHSA.

On another page on their website, SAMHSA outlines the four principles of the trauma-informed approach for therapists to follow.

1. The therapist must realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand potential roads to recovery.

2. The therapist recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in their clients and their families, plus staff and other people engaged in the mental health system.

3. The therapist responds to traumatized individuals by fully integrating knowledge about trauma policies, procedures, and practices.

4. The therapist will attempt to resist re-traumatizing their client.

By following the trauma-informed approach, therapists can create the right treatment plan for their clients looking for their help.
The Six Trauma-Informed Approach Key Principles
The trauma-informed approach is a how-to aligned with healing-informed care.

By providing and supporting their clients through the trauma-informed approach, therapists, doctors, and other medical professionals boost their patient's healing power.

In the booklet Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services, SAMSHA gives an excellent description of the key principles of the trauma-informed approach.

These fundamental principles involve safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment, and cultural, historical, and gender issues. By offering these key principles in their treatment of their clients, professionals are collaborating with them and opening new doors to healing. I will explain the fundamental principles better in another piece.
Coming Out of the Dark
While trauma and trauma-informed care were neglected in the past, today, a new day is dawning. Many physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other medical community members are waking up to the reality that the problems they see in their offices are often caused by trauma.

We are beginning to learn the depth of the problem of trauma and how we can treat it to give people a fighting chance of recovery. Trauma-informed doesn't just mean knowing what trauma is, and that it causes great harm, but also finding new treatment methods.

The public must also be taught about trauma and how it affects their lives. They must realize the symptoms and mental health disorders we know to accompany trauma.

Only through the spread of copious amounts of literature and other forms of communication can we hope to spread the word about trauma. We must teach them so that they can move forward with their lives, having conquered trauma.
Ending Our Time Together
Trauma is an emotional response to horrific events, such as the sudden loss of a loved one or a natural disaster. It is accompanied by shock, denial, flashbacks, and problems with intimate relationships. It is predicted that 70% of adults in the United States (223.4 million) have experienced some type of trauma at least once in their lives. There is a massive problem with trauma, and using a trauma approach may help.

This first article in the new series on trauma-informed care and the need for more literature on the subject has concentrated on introducing the topic to the reader. In the next two posts, we shall examine how people need to learn about trauma and methods to help them do just that.

The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. - Aristotle

Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival. The goal of resilience is to thrive. - Jamais Cascio

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The Importance of Becoming Trauma-Informed

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Many people are ill-informed or know nothing about mental health disorders, including complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and how it affects those around them. There are hundreds if not thousands of mental health challenges, and unfortunately, the stigma surrounds them.

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Here's Why Trauma Is So Common (A Deep Dive Into Understanding Trauma).

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Here's Why Trauma Is So Common (A Deep Dive Into Understanding Trauma).

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“Here’s Why Trauma Is So Common (A Deep Dive Into Understanding Trauma)” explores the pervasive nature of trauma and its profound impact on various aspects of life. It delves into what trauma is and how it manifests in different problems, why trauma is so common, and the five domains it affects: affect, consciousness, self-perception, relationships, and somatic self. The concept of coercive control, a key element of traumatic experiences, and its effects on autonomy and risk-taking are also discussed. Furthermore, the video offers solutions for trauma, including safety and stabilization, emotional coping, and meditation. It provides a comprehensive understanding of trauma and offers practical insights for managing its effects.

This is beneficial for preschool teachers as it provides a deep understanding of trauma and its impact on individuals. By watching this video, preschool teachers can gain insight into how trauma can manifest in young children and the potential effects on their behavior and development. Understanding trauma can help preschool teachers create a supportive and nurturing environment for children who may have experienced trauma. Additionally, the video offers practical solutions for managing the effects of trauma, which can be valuable for preschool teachers in supporting their students' well-being.

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Here's Why Trauma Is So Common (A Deep Dive Into Understanding Trauma)

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What Is Trauma? Effects, Causes, Types, and How to Heal

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What Is Trauma? Effects, Causes, Types, and How to Heal

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The article "What Is Trauma? Effects, Causes, Types, and How to Heal" offers an in-depth exploration of trauma. It defines trauma, outlines its symptoms, and examines its causes and various types. Additionally, the piece delves into the lasting impacts of trauma on mental, physical, and emotional health and provides insights into various healing and treatment methodologies.

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Trauma is a response to an intensely stressful event(s) or situations. The effects can be long-lasting, but healing is possible.

Traumatic events can happen at any age and have lasting effects on your physical and mental well-being. Each person's experience is unique, but there are common causes, and many people share some symptoms of post-traumatic stress, like anxiety, flashbacks, and sleep disruption.

Some in the medical community dispute what constitutes trauma. As researchers and therapists learn more, conversations about trauma's definition are ever-evolving based on new evidence.

With proper treatment and social support - especially through trauma therapy - many people can overcome these negative effects, experience an improved quality of life, and move toward healing.

Trauma refers to your response following an event that psychologically overwhelms you, often resulting in shock, denial, and changes in the body, mind, and behavior.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), trauma is an event you experience as harmful or life threatening. It has lasting adverse effects on your mental, physical, emotional, social, or spiritual well-being.

Trauma is typically associated with significant events such as physical or sexual assault, violence, or accidents. But it can also involve responses to repeated events, like ongoing emotional abuse or childhood neglect.

Not everyone who has experienced a traumatic event will have long lasting effects. Around 20% of people who experience a traumatic event will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many others might still have subthreshold symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Complex trauma

Trauma that repeatedly occurs over time can have a cumulative impact. This is known as complex trauma.

Complex trauma is often associated with childhood trauma. Early experiences of trauma can leave a deep imprint on your worldview, sense of self, and relationships later in life.

Trauma can affect many areas of your life, including your emotional, social, and physical well-being.

During extreme stress, the body and mind become overwhelmed, engaging the nervous system's fight, flight, or freeze response.

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress are aftereffects of your overwhelmed nervous system - your body and mind can't fully process the traumatic events as they are happening.

Common symptoms after trauma include:

intrusive thoughts, including flashbacks or nightmares

avoiding things that remind you of the trauma, including people, places, or objects

hypervigilance, or being very aware of danger

being easily startled or "jumpy"

being activated by triggers that remind you of the trauma, whether consciously or subconsciously

changes in how you see yourself, such as believing you are "bad," or feeling excess guilt or shame

a small window of tolerance, meaning you feel overwhelmed easily or have difficulty controlling your emotions

Traumatic stress can show up in your physical health, too. Body-based effects are known as somatic symptoms and can include:

Trauma is less about the event and more about how you responded. But some events are more likely to lead to trauma than others.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network reports that the following events can lead to trauma:

The Jed Foundation, a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults, breaks trauma into three types:

Emotional trauma: The feelings traumatic events leave us with. Characterized by feeling unsafe in one's body, emotional trauma can alter our brain function and lead to an overarching sense of hopelessness.

Complex trauma: A series of traumatic events that can have a lasting impact.

Secondary trauma. Also known as vicarious trauma, secondary trauma refers to being a witness to trauma. Witnessing a traumatic event can impact your emotional health and is deserving of support, empathy, and compassion.

'Big T' and 'little t' trauma

Some clinicians break down traumas into "big T" and "little t" events. "Big T" traumas are usually associated with PTSD, including combat and sexual assault. "Little t" traumas may involve big life changes, emotional abuse, or bullying.

But breaking down traumatic experiences into these categories is controversial. Over time, repeated exposure to "little t" traumas may cause as much emotional harm as exposure to "big T" traumas, especially when experienced during childhood and in the case of complex trauma.

All emotional wounds deserve empathy and support, and all events that result in harm warrant the need for validation and support.

Trauma is associated with various health conditions, including:

PTSD

Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, but around 20% will meet the diagnostic criteria.

Dissociative disorders

Dissociation is a common response to trauma. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 90% of dissociative disorders may be linked to trauma. Dissociative disorders include:

Borderline personality disorder

According to a 2021 study, in 30% to 90% of cases, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with abuse and neglect in childhood.

Depression

Characterized by a lack of energy and feelings of worthlessness, among other symptoms, depression is a common response to trauma.

Anxiety disorders

Symptoms of anxiety, such as feelings of dread and panic, often overlap with PTSD symptoms. Anxiety might arise when you're faced with something that reminds you of a trauma. Some people may develop anxiety disorders related to trauma.

Though recovery from trauma isn't easy, it's possible. Trauma-focused psychotherapy is one of the most effective things you can do for recovery.

The American Psychological Association strongly recommends the following therapies for trauma:

They also conditionally recommend Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and narrative exposure therapy (NET).

If you're looking for mental health support, Psych Central's How to Find Mental Health Support resource may help.

In addition to traditional psychotherapy, expressive arts, such as creative writing or theater, can help heal trauma. According to a 2019 study, expressive writing can improve resilience to trauma.

Many people who have experienced trauma find it difficult to practice self-care and self-compassion. Trauma therapists can work with you to boost your skills in these areas, which can have lasting effects on many areas of life.

Psychoeducation can also help you understand your symptoms, which can be a major step toward healing. Reading healing stories about trauma from leading experts can be empowering and inspiring.

As you seek to identify, define, and explore what trauma means, remember to have self-compassion because learning about trauma can be a challenging process.

Through learning about trauma, you raise awareness about a widespread issue and empower yourself with tools to help heal yourself and others.

People recover from trauma every day and lead happy, productive lives.

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What Is Trauma? Effects, Causes, Types, and How to Heal

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Trauma is a response to an intensely stressful event(s). While the after-effects can be difficult to manage, healing is possible.

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What is trauma? The author of “The Body Keeps the Score” explains | Bessel van der Kolk | Big Think

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What is trauma? The author of “The Body Keeps the Score” explains | Bessel van der Kolk | Big Think

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In this video, he explains that trauma is not the event but the individual's response. He discusses how trauma can impair the ability to feel joy, connect with others, and learn and emphasizes that trauma is widespread, especially among children and veterans. Van der Kolk also highlights the importance of social support, safety, and equality in preventing and healing trauma.

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What is trauma? The author of “The Body Keeps the Score” explains | Bessel van der Kolk | Big Think

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It’s so much more than just ‘fight or flight’

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It’s so much more than just ‘fight or flight’

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The article discusses our brains' various responses to trauma beyond the commonly known "fight or flight" reactions. It explains additional responses such as freeze, fawn, and flop, which are less frequently discussed but equally important in understanding how people react to traumatic situations.

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In fact, the brain is hardwired to deliver a wider range of reactions, which can be summed up as fight, flight, freeze, fawn and flop. The latter two being the least discussed and talked about.

All of them are a natural outcome of fearful situations or extended periods of trauma. With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or C-PTSD, they can leave a lasting legacy and become a recurrent behaviour.

This article explains what Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn and flop are. It also explores the link between PTSD and C-PTSD and fawning behaviour in more detail.

The scientific background

First, a quick overview of the terminology.

The first three are obvious. At times of immense stress, it's common for people to: become combative or overly defensive (fight); to abruptly remove themselves from the situation (flight); or shut down, become withdrawn and unable to make decisions (freeze). This may manifest as any of the following:
The Fight Trauma response The Flight Trauma response The Freeze Trauma response
The fourth response - fawn - refers to when someone actually moves closer to the source of their trauma and tries to placate or win over their aggressor and may manifest itself in the following ways:

These are natural reactions triggered by part of our brain. The brain's limbic system has evolved least since primitive times.

In fact, we share this instinctive behaviour with other animal life! Any creature responds quickly to potential danger by fighting back, running or becoming totally still. Or, to diffuse danger they form a closer attachment to their aggressor (fawn).

Fawning as a response to trauma

To outsiders, the fawn response can mask the distress and damage you're suffering. If you were really being mistreated, why would you be trying to please the person responsible?

It can also be the response that engenders the greatest sense of confusion and guilt in someone with PTSD or C-PTSD. This person has treated you - or is treating you - badly, Yet, your natural instinct is to attempt to soothe them, instead of distancing yourself or fighting back.

Fawning (or misplaced attachment) is a common reaction to childhood abuse. The victim responds to an abusive parent or some other authority figure by being highly agreeable, pressing down their own needs and their knowledge that the abuse is wrong.

In later life, it can manifest as being highly submissive, looking to others to shape your reactions and relationships and struggling to make sense of yourself or your daily life on your own.

Characteristics of fawning behaviour also include over-dependence on the opinions of others and lacking boundaries. It makes you highly vulnerable to narcissistic people, or anyone who tends to control and manipulate others.

Addressing flight, fight, freeze and fawn responses

Some experts within the field of trauma response add a fifth potential reaction; flop. This is when someone reacts to intensely stressful situations by becoming totally overwhelmed and physically and mentally unresponsive and may manifest itself in the following ways:

Very similar to 'freeze' trauma response, but may also include

Total bodily collapse (which might involve blacking out or loss of consciousness)

Loss of control over bodily functions

Total disorientation

Appearing disengaged

Showing a lack of emotions

Complete submission

When you have PTSD or C-PTSD, symptoms like hypervigilance and heightened arousal, or depressive episodes and hypoarousal, can mean you display any of these responses frequently. Sometimes within relatively unthreatening situations.

Other trauma responses

URGENCY: 'Traumatic events require us to act quickly, without much thought for the long term. Trauma responses limit our ability to slow down and be mindful of the big picture. When you notice yourself feeling like you need to figure out everything all at once, pause and notice your breath. Notice the urgent energy with compassion. Validate the part of your that feels threatened. Let that part of you know: "I see you, I know you feel afraid. I'm here for you now.

In addition to acknowledging this part of us with compassion, we can also use the power of the breath to release these trauma responses from our nervous system.'

One of the first steps to addressing your PTSD and C-PTSD is to accept that these reactions are instinctive and 'human'. Then, during therapy and treatment sessions, you can also learn to dismantle any negative repercussions, find triggers and learn to manage recurrent episodes of these behaviours.

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It’s so much more than just ‘fight or flight’ – PTSD UK

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a community for everyone in the UK affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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What trauma does to your brain and body | Bessel van der Kolk

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What trauma does to your brain and body | Bessel van der Kolk

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In his work, Bessel van der Kolk explores the profound effects of trauma on both the brain and the body. He explains how traumatic experiences can alter brain function, leading to changes in emotional regulation, memory, and perception. Additionally, he discusses the physical manifestations of trauma, highlighting how it can lead to various health issues and stress-related disorders. Through his research, van der Kolk emphasizes the importance of understanding these effects to provide effective treatment and support for individuals grappling with the aftermath of traumatic experiences.

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What trauma does to your brain and body | Bessel van der Kolk

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Ages and Stages Questionnaire – 3rd Edition (ASQ-3)

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Ages and Stages Questionnaire – 3rd Edition (ASQ-3)

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Ages and Stages Questionnaire – 3rd Edition (ASQ-3): A developmental screening tool that can help identify trauma-related issues

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Ages and Stages Questionnaire – 3rd Edition (ASQ-3)

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Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS)

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Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS)

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Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS): A brief screening instrument based on DSM-5 criteria for PTSD. This video shows you how to use (CATS).

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Semi-Structured Interview and Observation Record

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Semi-Structured Interview and Observation Record

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Semi-Structured Interview and Observation Record: Used for children aged 0-4.

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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Screening and Assessment Within Multiple Systems

Due to the particular developmental risks associated with young children's traumatic experiences, it is essential that vulnerable children be identified as early as possible after the trauma. Many community resources-including health systems, Early Intervention programs, child welfare agencies, Head Start, child care programs, and early education systems-play an important role in identifying children, and in linking them and their families with services.

Some of these systems now try to address possible traumatic experiences by including questions about specific traumas into their intake and/or assessment protocols. For example, both Head Start and Early Intervention intake protocols include questions about domestic violence in families. Other protocols may include targeted questions about accidents, loss of family members, and/or significant medical history. Most young children are seen at regular intervals by providers in the pediatric health care system, enabling repeated opportunities for identifying early childhood trauma. As such, medical providers can also play an important role in diminishing risks and in maximizing protective factors associated with young children's exposure to trauma. They can supply information to prevent accidents and can incorporate questions about stressful and traumatic experiences into their interviews with families.

Focus of Assessment for Young Children

Assessment of trauma in young children must focus on the presenting problem in the context of the child's overall development. This information can be gathered though interviews with the parents and significant caregivers in the child's life, observation of the parent/caregiver-child interaction, and standardized assessment tools. Clinical assessment should include review of the specifics of the traumatic experience including:

Reactions of the child and parents/caregivers

Changes in the child's behavior

Resources in the environment to stabilize the child and family

Quality of the child's primary attachment relationships

Ability of parents/caregivers to facilitate the child's healthy socioemotional, psychological, and cognitive development

When conducting an assessment of a young child, it is also important to assess developmental delays (e.g., gross/fine motor, speech/language, sensory processing), which may indicate that the child could benefit from evaluation and/or services from another professional (e.g., occupational therapist, speech/language therapist, physical therapist). It is often helpful to consult and to work collaboratively with these professionals.

Instruments for Assessing Traumatic Stress in Young Children

Below is a list of some of the standardized instruments used within the NCTSN to assess traumatic stress in young children.

Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): Achenbach, and Rescorla (2001). Ages 1½-5

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Semi-Structured Interview and Observation Record: Scheeringa and Zeanah (1994). Ages 0-4

Posttraumatic Symptom Inventory for Children (PT-SIC): Eisen (1997). Ages 4-8

Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA): Egger and Angold (1999). Ages 2-5

PTSD Symptoms in Preschool Aged Children (PTSD-PAC): Levendosky, Huth-Bocks, Semel, and Shapiro (2002). Ages 3-5

Traumatic Events Screening Inventory-Parent Report Revised (TESI-PRR): Ghosh et al. (2002). Ages 0-6

Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children (TSCYC): Briere et al. (2001). Ages 3-12

Violence Exposure Scale for Children-Preschool Version (VEX-PV): Shahinfar, Fox, and Leavitt (2000). Ages 4-10

Violence Exposure Scale for Children-Revised Parent Report (VEX-RPR): Shahinfar, Fox, and Leavitt (2000). For parents of preschool-aged children aged 4-10

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Due to the particular developmental risks associated with young children's traumatic experiences, it is essential that vulnerable children be identified as early as possible after the trauma. Many community resources-including health systems, Early Intervention programs, child welfare agencies, Head Start, child care programs, and early education systems-play an important role in identifying children, and in linking them and their families with services.

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TRAUMATIC EVENTS SCREENING INVENTORY- PARENT REPORT REVISED 

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TRAUMATIC EVENTS SCREENING INVENTORY- PARENT REPORT REVISED 

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TRAUMATIC EVENTS SCREENING INVENTORY- PARENT REPORT REVISED

The parents can fill out this to help a healthcare worker determine treatment plans.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS)

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS)

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS): Measures PTSD symptoms in children

This link provides information on many different screening tools and their costs.

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Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA)

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Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA)

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The Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPAThe Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA), created in 1999 by Helen Link Egger, MD, Barbara Ascher, MA, and Adrian Angold, MRCPsych, is a structured diagnostic interview that relies solely on parent reports. It is based on the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment (CAPA) and is specifically designed to address the feelings and behaviors relevant to young children.) developed in 1999 by Helen Link Egger, MD; Barbara Ascher, MA; and Adrian Angold, MRCPsych, is a parent-report-only interviewer-based structured diagnostic interview.

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The Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) developed in 1999 by Helen Link Egger, MD; Barbara Ascher, MA; and Adrian Angold, MRCPsych, is a parent-report only interviewer-based structured diagnostic interview. Derived from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment (CAPA), it is tailored to feelings and behaviors pertinent to young children.

The PAPA was originally developed for use with preschoolers aged 2 to 5 years old. However, we provide full assurance that it is appropriate to use the PAPA with 2 to 8 year old children for the diagnosis of the full range of common psychiatric disorders.

PAPA Documents

The following documents are for review only. Formal training is required to administer the PAPA (see details below).

The core diagnostic modules for DSM-5 consists of only the depression, anxiety, ODD/CD, ADHD and impairment modules:

Training

Formal training is required to administer the PAPA. Learn more about training

More about PAPA

See our other Instruments

Contact Us

If you need any additional information or would like to administer the PAPA, please contact Brian Small at brian.small@duke.edu.

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Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA)

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The Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) developed in 1999 by Helen Link Egger, MD; Barbara Ascher, MA; and Adrian Angold, MRCPsych, is a parent-report only interviewer-based structured diagnostic interview. Derived from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment (CAPA), it is tailored to feelings and behaviors pertinent to young children.