Trauma Symptoms
Name 3 common reactions that people often experience after going through a traumatic event.
Crying spells -Anxiety -Feeling numb -Mood swings -Panic attacks -Trust issues -Self-harm -Drug use -Insomnia or sleep issues -Flashbacks -Forgetful of the trauma -Fidgety or hyperactivity -Low self-esteem -Depression
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: 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 is physical abuse? Name 3 examples of physical abuse.
Physical abuse is any injury to a child caused by an adult on purpose.
Examples: Hitting, whipping, beating, biting, kicking, or anything that harms a child's/adolescent’s body
Who is physically abused?
Children of all ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds are at risk for physical abuse. Physical abuse affects both boys and girls across neighborhoods, communities, and countries around the world. Children ages 4–7 and 12–15 are at the greatest risk of being physically abused. Very young children are most susceptible to receiving serious injuries.2
What does it mean to dissociate?
Dissociation is a common reaction to trauma. It's feeling detached to reality, disconnected, or foggy and may look and feel like zoning out.
When our brain senses danger what are its 5 hardwired responses? Describe each response of the survival brain!
Flight (run away/escape/hide/be distracted) , Fight (aggressive behaviors/attack), Freeze (space out/shut down), Flop (disengage/show no emotion), & Friend (rely on others for help).
What percentage of children and teens who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD?
14.5% of those who had experienced a serious trauma developed PTSD.
What makes it hard for a child or teen to tell someone they are being physically abused?
Fear that they will not be believed. Worried about the consequences of physical abuse for families They don't know who to tell or they think they did something to cause it, etc. Fear that their parents will be mad at them or will hurt them worse for telling. Worry about getting their parents into trouble or being removed from their homes. Believing that it’s okay for their parents to hurt them or that they deserve the abuse for their “bad” behavior. Feeling shame or guilt.
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.
How might a child feel after being physically abused?
Scared, confused, angry, sad, guilty, etc.
What emotion do many children who have experienced violence interpret when they see neutral faces?
Anger!
What is avoidance in PTSD?
Avoidance is one of the 4 categories of symptoms of PTSD. It means avoiding thoughts, feelings, people, or places that remind you of the trauma. It can also mean avoiding hearing or talking about it.
Why do some adults physically hurt their children? Is it ever the child's fault?
There are lots of different reasons, just like there are lots of different offenders. But it is very hard to know the reason why it happens to any child. Some adults do not know how to manage their emotions in a healthy way or they didn't have a role model on how to correct behaviors of children. When children’s behaviors get worse in response to being hit, parents may feel even more stress. When physical punishment does not create the results a parent seeks, the parent may escalate the punishment, and the child and parent may get locked in a vicious cycle of greater violence on the part of parents, and greater acting out on the part of the children.
We do 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.
What are three physical sensations teens who have been physically abused often experience?
Racing heart, stomach aches, headaches, tense muscles, difficulty breathing, sweating, dizziness, lightheadedness, tingly, hot, etc.
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.
What does hyperarousal mean?
Hyperarousal is a symptom of PTSD. It means my brain is on the lookout for danger and keeps me on edge. It looks like: difficulty sleeping, nightmares, anxiety, jumpy, startle easily, etc.
What are the consequences of physical abuse on children?
Being hit may make children feel angry, helpless, powerless, hostile, guilty, or ashamed. It may result in their becoming anxious or depressed. All these negative feelings about themselves increase children’s stress levels and only make it harder for them to behave well. With therapy and support, children can overcome the effects of child physical abuse and go on to lead productive lives.
True or False: It’s only physical abuse if you mean to hurt your child.
False! Even accidental injuries of a child are considered physical abuse if the act that injured the child was done intentionally as a form of punishment
What kinds of worries do kids who've been physically abused have? What do they think about?
They often worry that they caused the abuse or that their parent/caregiver will get in trouble if someone finds out. They can also worry that something is wrong with them or they are a bad person. Other thoughts they might have is that no one can be trusted or everyone will hurt them.
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
How many children have experienced a traumatic event?
2/3 of children have experienced at least one traumatic event by the time they are 16.
How common is child abuse?
A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds. At least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year, and this is likely an underestimate.
What percentage of kids have their symptoms of PTSD decreased after TFCBT treatment?
80%