1 trauma’s impact on children a potential legacy of pain marjorie withers, lcpc
TRANSCRIPT
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Workshop dedicated To children and families who have
shared their stories: Who have reached for their core of
resilience and coped with feelings and memories:
And To those that have been their heroes whether it was an auntie, a teacher, a therapist, a fireman or another child.
NO ONE IS EXEMPT FROM THE AFTERMATH OF TRAUMA
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Definition of Trauma Horrific event beyond the scope of normal human
experience. ( American Psychiatric Assoc., 1980) Includes events that are perceived as life
threatening. Engenders: Fear, hopelessness, horror,
helplessness. Witnessing violence, and or being a victim of
violence. Being diagnosed with a life threatening disease. Natural disasters, accidents, House fires loss caused
by violence. War, gang war.
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Kinds of Trauma Complex trauma (repeated abuse) Early childhood trauma (before age 6) Domestic Violence Death of a parent or family Community /school violence Natural Disasters Wars Medical Trauma Abuse, physical, sexual, neglect
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Effects of Trauma on Children Effects cognition Effects affect/feelings Effects behavior Effects neurophysiology Effects physiology Responses are coping adaptations
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Prevalence of Trauma in Children in United States Over 5 million children a year experience
trauma. Estimated 2 million from sexual or physical
abuse. Unknown number more terrorized by
Domestic Violence in their home Natural disasters, car accidents, life
threatening illnesses, community violence. By age 18, one out of four will have been
effected by family or community violence.
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Recent studies indicate increase in the numbers of children effected by trauma 84% of second year college students
have experienced at least one major trauma.
Poverty and substance abuse and social turmoil increase exposure rates of trauma.
Multi layers of trauma Concept of Historical Trauma Impacts on future generations
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Trauma knows no age limits In- Utero effects of trauma (increase
cortisol levels). Anxious babies Infant and toddlers exposed to violence
towards a parent have changes in behavior.
Exposure to violence impacts child as much as violence to a child.
Pre-verbal children show signs and symptoms of trauma similar to those of older children.
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Break Think of children you have known and
what trauma may have effected them. What would you do for them if you knew
they were trauma effected?**********************************
BRETHING BREAK:
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Impact of Trauma and its ramifications Trauma can change behavior in
multitudes of ways that may be confused with other diagnoses.
Frequently misdiagnosed as: ADHD Oppositional Defiant Disorder Learning Disability ADD
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Partial list of potential related symptoms: Disruptive Behaviors Fighting Anger “Don’t Care” attitude Criminal behaviors Non compliance with
teachers, medical providers.
Poor frustration tolerance
Substance Abuse Revert to behaviors of
earlier stages/ages
Depression Anxiety Loss of interest Poor Concentration Distracted Hyper vigilance Startle response Absences Suicidal
thoughts/behaviors Hopeless & Helpless
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Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms Numbness Avoidance Hyper arousal Intrusive thoughts Flashback Hyperventilation Anxiety Crying Inability to focus
Fear Helpless/hopeless Memory disruptions Negative feelings Loss of safety Feeling out of control Time (slowed down or
sped up) Physical symptoms
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Differential Response to trauma Dissociation Detached Numb Compliant Decrease Heart Rate Suspension of time De-realization “crazy like behavior” Fainting/light headed
Hyperarousal Hypervigilance Anxious Reactive Alarm response Increase Heart Rate Freeze: Fear Flight: Panic Flight: Terror(Bruce Perry, PhD)
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Role of attachment on the impact of trauma. Foundation of childhood trust and
resilience. Attached child has more skills for seeking
safety and comfort. Attachment can be effected by trauma and
need repair such as when a toddler or young child looses their mother or attached figure.
Child feels betrayed by parent inability to keep them safe.
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Small Groups: What are the major traumas you see in
the children you work with?
What the most common symptoms you see?
What interventions or supports seem to help the child?
Share with large group:
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Lunch Acute Post Traumatic Period Trauma and memory at cellular level Repeated replaying Hypervigilant Increased startle response May have increased breathing rate Fear, Panic, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts*******************************
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Self Protection in children Avoidance Dissociation as protection Longer symptoms go on the more chance
of having PTSD
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Annie Annie was 5 when her mother was killed in
a car accident. Annie was in the car and kept calling her
mother. It took the rescue people 3 hours to get
Annie out.
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Annie’s responses Would not let go of her father Screamed at night for her mother and
would be unable to go to sleep again. Annie would not interact with others when
she returned to school. She would get scared and start running
around the class.
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Intervention Calming skills Reassurance Safe place One adult talking with her Access to things that she enjoyed…
coloring Inclusion of Annie’s best friend when she
wanted to rejoin an activity
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Therapy with father Help family deal with the loss of mother
separate from the accident Information about the accident as Annie
needs or wants it. Place where she can remember it in
playroom Teaching father and significant others
calming skills that work for Annie. Breathing Routine development and plan for nights.
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Role of a caring significant other Children report difference a caring adult
makes: “My aunt was always there after my mom
died” She made me feel safe and special
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Children taking the blame Fear that they should have or could have Protected Saved Avoided Prevented Kept trauma from occurring (wish for
control)Need for correction of untrue thoughts or
assumption
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Child needs Stress management skills Coherent narrative of what happened Changing misassumptions that the
experience caused…it happened because I was bad…changed to bad things can happen even to good kids.
Involvement of parents or safe loving involved adult
Normalcy restoration
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Summary You can make a difference Children are resilient when given tools Mastery of soothing skills Mastery of stress management skills Time, love, reassurance, dependable environment
that encourages safety planning. Trauma reactions are not pathological. Healing from wound to scar I am a survivor…..I am Loved, loveable and I can
soothe myself.