Trauma Symptoms
True or False: Everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD.
False. Everyone is different and there are different factors that affect the development of the presence of trauma symptoms.
What part of the brain (the thinking, feeling, or survival part of the brain) is more active in people who have experienced trauma?
The Feeling Brain; the amgydala is more sensitive to potential threats!
True or False: A child is most likely to be sexually abused by a stranger.
False! Children are most often sexually abused by someone they know and trust. Approximately three quarters of reported cases of child sexual abuse are committed by family members or other individuals who are considered part of the victim’s “circle of trust.”
What is community violence? Name 3 examples.
Community violence is any injury or threat made to another person in the community.
Examples: Hitting, whipping, beating, biting, kicking, or anything that harms another person's body.
What happens to kids who have experienced sexual abuse or witnessed violence?
We definitely know that people can heal from trauma. It helps to know that reactions are normal and usually will get better with time. The chances are very good that you will get better. Sometimes you can do this on your own or with help from your family; sometimes a counselor can help, too.
How many children have experienced a traumatic event?
When our brain senses danger are the 3 stress responses? Describe each response of the survival brain!
Flight (run away/escape/hide/be distracted) , Fight (aggressive behaviors/attack), Freeze (space out/shut down)
How common is child sexual abuse?
1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18.
What are some reasons that some kids don't tell right away if they've experienced violence?
Worry that telling will get someone in trouble or make things worse, have thoughts that they will not be believed, they don't know who to tell, they think they did something to cause it, etc.
In the United States, about 1 in 8 children ages 17 or younger are living in households with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder.
After being sexually abused or witnessing violence a child might experience which of the following:
Nightmares, Anger/Fights, Trouble in School, Bad Memories, Not want to talk about it, Can’t remember, Feel Jumpy, Headaches/Stomach aches
All of these are reactions kids might have. Different kids have different reactions and sometimes they change over time. All of these are normal reactions to a bad experience.
What emotion do many children who have experienced violence interpret when they see neutral faces?
Anger!
What is child sexual abuse?
Child sexual abuse can be many different acts. Any sexual behavior between an adult and a child is considered sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse can include looking at or touching the child’s private areas, having the child look at or touch the adult’s private areas, masturbation with the child present, and forced intercourse (rape).
Why do some adults physically hurt other people? Is it ever the child's fault?
There are lots of different reasons, just like there are lots of different offenders. Some adults do not know how to manage their emotions in a healthy way.
We know this much: No child is responsible for what an adult does. It is NEVER the child's fault.
What does TFCBT stand for and what does it do?
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This therapy teaches kids skills for coping with symptoms of traumatic stress so that eventually they can talk about the traumatic event without being distressed so that they are not overwhelmed when they are reminded of what happened.
Can other people tell that you’ve experienced sexual abuse or witnessed violence?
While these experiences might effect how a child feels or acts, usually these effects are felt on the inside and aren't visible on the outside. People can't tell that you've been sexually abused or experienced violence just by looking at you!
True or False: When I've been through a very scary or stressful event (trauma), my brain keeps me on alert so I will be ready in case that bad thing happens again.
True.
This is why we worry more and feel more anxious or jumpy.
How do abusers most often get a child to keep sexual abuse a secret? Is it ever the child's fault that they didn't tell?
Abusers often do not use physical force, but may use play, tricks, threats, or manipulation to keep kids silent. These tactics are called “grooming" and may include buying gifts or arranging special activities, which can lead victims to be confused or blame themselves for the abuse. The sexual abuse is never the child's fault!
How might a child feel after witnessing violence?
Scared, confused, angry, sad, guilty, etc.
True or False: Often sexual abuse occurs more than one time.
True. The abuse typically occurs more than once. Over time it may become more frequent. The average length of time abuse occurs is 4 years, although it can be over a much shorter or longer time period
What kinds of worries do kids who’ve been witnessed violence or experienced sexual abuse have? What do they think about?
Thinking you are a bad person because of what happened, Memories of the trauma coming in your mind all the time, Blaming yourself for what happened, Not trusting people, Worrying that it will happen again
True or False: The changes in the brain caused by exposure to trauma are not permanent.
Changes in the brain that happen after trauma can improve over time. This is particularly likely to happen when children experience safe, stable, and supportive environments after trauma. In fact, TFCBT therapy can actually lead to positive changes in the same regions of the brain that are influenced by trauma
Who is sexually abused?
Children of all ages, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds are vulnerable to sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse affects both girls and boys in all kinds of neighborhoods and communities, and in countries around the world.
How common is witnessing or experiencing violence among children and teens?
Sixty percent of American children were exposed to violence, crime, or abuse in their homes, schools, and communities. Almost 40 percent of American children were direct victims of two or more violent acts, and one in ten were victims of violence five or more times
What percentage of kids have their symptoms of PTSD decreased after TFCBT treatment?
80%