Stressful life events/trauma
What is trauma?
Trauma is a overwhelming stressful situation. Trauma is when a person feeling either physically or emotionally unsafe. This can mean they are being hurt, they are not given the things they need to be safe, or any other experience that can be emotionally hard for someone.
What is addiction?
Addiction is a brain disease that causes people to get try to get drugs at any cost (financial, emotional or physical. A person who has this disease has it for life and even after they haven’t used drugs or alcohol for a long time, they still have to be careful because they always run the risk of starting again. Drug addiction is a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. Even though most people start out taking drugs because they want to, over time the changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person’s ability to stop even when it is clearly bad for the person and those around them. The brain starts needing the drugs and causes the person to do anything to get them
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. When we experience a stressful event, our body send signals to put us in protection mode. Anxiety can feel like a lot of worrying, fast heartbeat, feeling unsafe, or nervousness.
What is fight, flight, freeze, and fawn?
These are common reaction to stressful life events
fight- fight the stress ex. fighting people at school
flight- escape the stress ex running away
freeze- not being able to leave the stress or getting stuck ex. going quiet and not talking
fawn- going along with the stressful event, ex doing anything to avoid stress or conflict
What is parental substance abuse?
This is when a child has a parent who struggles with addiction
Anxiety is a natural response to stress. Anxiety is a natural feeling to keep us safe. When someone experiences stressful life events often, it can cause someone to feel anxiety in everyday life.
Is a stressful event/trauma a person's fault?
No, if someone has experienced a stressful event it is not their fault.
How many children have a parent that struggles with addiction?
1 in 8 children live in households with at least one parent who has a substance disorder
What can help someone cope with anxiety?
Using coping skills like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, mindfulness, and imagery. Talking to a trust person or therapist about your anxiety.
What are some common feelings someone who has experienced stressful life events may feel
anxiety, worrying a lot, feeling sad most days, not feeling motivated, thinking about the stressful event a lot, feeling unsafe, feeling nervous, sometimes people may not feel anything at all
Why don't some children talk about parental substance abuse?
1. Fear that their parents will be mad at them and will hurt them for telling.
2. Desire not to get their parents in trouble
3. Fear of being removed from their homes.
5. Fear of not being believed
6. Shame or guilt
7. Any other reasons?
What is a coping skill to help relieve muscle tension?
PMR, yoga, stretching, body scan
Can someone who has experienced stressful events and or trauma feel better again?
Yes, through the help of supportive adults. People who have had stressful life events can feel safe again.
How do children whose parents abuse drugs or alcohol feel?
Who can support someone who is feeling anxious?