Trauma
What is PTSD?
PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, in other words, it is the natural reaction a human has to a situation where they felt their life or the life of a loved one was at serious risk or danger. These reactions include thoughts, feelings, and actions that change as a way for the person's brain and body to try to keep the person safe.
What is grief?
Grief is a collection of thoughts, behaviors, and feelings that are associated with the loss of something. People usually experience grief when someone has died but it can also occur when the person experiences loss of a home, loss of a friend who moves away, loss of a job they really enjoyed, or loss of what they thought might happen. Depending on the loss, the situation, and the person, the grief is felt in varying degrees.
How common is suicide among teenagers in the United States?
A recent study in 2021 found suicide to be the 3rd leading cause of death among American teenagers. More recent indicates it might be the 2nd leading cause of death. The rates of suicidal thoughts have risen in our country over the last 5-10 years and about 1/4 of American females report seriously considering attempting suicide.
What does it mean to be resilient?
Resilient means to survive and thrive even when circumstances are difficult.
Can you name 3 examples of a traumatic event?
Domestic violence, car accident, natural disaster, death of a loved one, assault, or severe bullying. (There are others too!)
Who experiences PTSD?
Anyone who has experienced a traumatic event and has the resulting symptoms (avoidance, re-experiencing, hypervigilance, and negative mood and cognitions). Anybody (adults, children, males, females, etc.) can experience it.
What is one thing kids might feel if they are grieving the loss of a loved one?
Sadness, Embarrassment, Loneliness, Anger, Guilt, Denial, and so many more!
DAILY DOUBLE: What is something you are good at? Or something that people admire about you?
Funny? Smart? Kind? Strong? Good friend?
Is resilience a choice?
Actually, no! Similar to fight, flight, or freeze people do not get to choose whether or not they will be resilient. There are so many factors at play!
Remember, it is perfectly normal to feel like you are struggling and not yourself after experiencing trauma. This does not mean you will always feel this way. The fact that you are here and pursuing treatment and healing shows great resilience!
True or False: There are not many people that experience traumatic events as children in the United States.
False! The statistics vary, but we know that unfortunately anywhere from about 20% to 60% of American children experience at least one traumatic event during childhood.
True or False: If you have PTSD, you will feel this way forever?
False! PTSD and the reactions to a traumatic event are treatable! That's why you are here! Remember, TF-CBT (the therapy we are doing right now) helps 80% of kids feel better in the end.
We can't change that the event occurred, but we can find ways to heal the wound that it left behind.
DAILY DOUBLE: What is one thing you are looking forward to?
Time with friends? Family? A birthday? Going to the pool? A sporting event?
True or False: Family members are left with a lot of questions when a relative dies by suicide.
What is something people do to help treat symptoms of PTSD?
Go to therapy, join a support group, and other methods of self-care (exercise, sleep, good nutrition, etc).
DAILY DOUBLE: What is one thing in your life you are really enjoying right now?
Is it the warmer weather? Flowers blooming? Time off of school? New puppy?
Can you name 2 symptoms of PTSD?
Avoidance (Not wanting to think or talk about the event), Re-experiencing (nightmares/flashbacks, feeling like you're back at the time when the bad thing happened), Hypervigilance (on edge, difficulty slowing down, increased worry/anxiety/fear), and Negative Mood/Cognitions (time alone, sad mood, thinking it was all my fault, and difficulty feeling trust)
Does everyone experience grief if someone close to them dies?
Yes, everyone experiences grief, but it can look a lot different. One survivor may experience more sadness while another person may experience more anger. One survivor may want reminders of the person they love while another may find it very difficult to be reminded. There is not one way to grieve.
How common is it for children in the United States to experience the death of a loved one?
Depending on the type of death, anywhere from about 18% to 50% of American teens have experienced the death of a loved one. This again, is quite common.
DAILY DOUBLE: Who is someone in your life you can trust and lean on?
Mom? Dad? a friend? Grandparent?
What are two things kids might do (think: behaviors) if they have experienced a traumatic event(s)?
A child might spend more time to themselves, have trouble sleeping (or sleep a lot), feel scared out of nowhere, get in trouble more, have difficulty slowing down their brain and body, cry more often, have less interest in their typical activities, and so many more!
What is a common thought kids might have when they experience PTSD?
"This was my fault", "There is something I could have done to change the situation", "My life will never be the same", "I don't trust anyone anymore", "The world is really dangerous", "Something bad is going to happen again", etc.
Name one thing someone might do to express their grief (Think: how do they show they are grieving?).
Cry, look at pictures of the deceased, spend more time at home, talk to other people who have experienced something similar, and many more!
Why do people die by suicide?
We don't always know. However, most folks that die by suicide are experiencing severe mental health symptoms in which they think and feel dying is the only option.
Can you share a story of someone who was resilient? It can be someone you know, yourself, a celebrity, a pet, a sports team, etc.