Trauma 101
What are some examples of trauma?
Death of a family member, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, witnessing or experiencing domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual assault, and others
What is neglect?
When a parent shows a pattern of not providing necessary food, clothing, shelter, education, supervision or medical care. As a result of this, children’s physical, mental or emotional state can become compromised.
What is substance abuse?
Substance abuse is when someone drinks alcohol or smokes or takes drugs in a way that could lead to health, legal, and other problems.
TRUE or FALSE, 30% of child abuse cases are neglect.
False, 60% of kids who experienced child maltreatment were neglected.
What is physical abuse?
When a parent or caregiver commits an act that causes physical injury to a child such as red marks, cuts, welts, bruises, muscle sprains, or broken bones.
What are some common reactions to trauma?
Crying spells, anxiety, feeling numb, mood swings, panic attacks, trust issues, self-harm, drug use, sleep issues, flashbacks, unwanted thoughts, trouble remembering what happened, low self-esteem, depression, restlessness
TRUE or FALSE, neglect is the most common form of abuse.
True
TRUE or FALSE, a child can be a fault for a parents' substance abuse?
False; the child is never at fault
TRUE or FALSE, less than 1 million children have at least one parent who abuses illegal drugs or alcohol.
False, more than 8 million children have at least one parent who abuses illegal drugs or alcohol.
What is emotional abuse?
When a parent calls a kid mean names, threatens them, or tells them they are no good.
What thoughts might someone have after a trauma?
What have I done wrong? Why is this happening to me? Is it going to happen again? How long am I going to feel like this? Is this my fault?
TRUE or FALSE, abuse only counts if it's violent.
False. Neglect can be just as harmful as physical or emotional abuse.
TRUE or FALSE: Substance abuse doesn't affect the way we treat others or our judgement.
FALSE. Substances impact our judgement and our ability to determine what is right and wrong.
TRUE or FALSE, 1 in every 12 adults suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence.
True, this equals approximately 17.6 million people!
Give an example of a parent's role vs. a kid's role
Possibly: A parent provides kids with basic needs (food/water/shelter), sets healthy boundaries, provides clean clothes, etc.
A kid helps out with reasonable chores, does their homework, goes to school, gets to have fun, etc.
Whose fault is the trauma?
The person that caused the trauma is always responsible.
TRUE or FALSE, child neglect is always done on purpose.
False. Child neglect is not always on purpose. Sometimes, a caregiver becomes physically or mentally unable to care for a child. Other times, alcohol or drug abuse may affect the ability to keep a child safe. However, this is not an excuse for their actions.
What are some emotions a kid may have towards their parent who abuse drugs/alcohol?
Love, fear, guilty, worried, embarrassed, hate, confusion, and more
TRUE or FALSE, 45% of children are abused or neglected by a parent.
FALSE, 78% of children were abused or neglected by a parent.
TRUE or FALSE, Most kids tell when an adult abuses them.
False
Describe the beach ball analogy.
When we try to avoid our trauma symptoms, they can pop back up in our lives when we least expect it. It's like trying to hold a beach ball underwater. It will eventually come back up with a lot of force.
What are some types of child neglect?
Physical neglect, medical neglect, inadequate supervision, environmental neglect, emotional neglect, educational neglect
How do drugs affect the brain?
Drugs affect the way the brain thinks, makes judgements, and memory.
TRUE or FALSE, 1 in 8 kids under the age of 17 live in a home with a parent that struggles with substance abuse.
True
Who's responsibility is it to make sure kids are safe and something is done when a child is abused?
The adult.