It used to be thought that trauma was a single incident that a person needed to "get over" or "work through," and then you'd be fine. New brain studies show that exposure to trauma isn't merely a simple emotional reaction that needs to be understood. Trauma releases hormones that impact the neurobiology of a person's system and can actually change the structure of the brain.
Dr. Bruce Perry, an expert on the impact of trauma on children, explains that a child spending the first few years of life in a neglectful or unstable environment translates into trauma within a child's makeup. In addition to neglect, trauma for a child might include a prolonged hospital stay, death or serious illness of a primary caregiver, natural disaster, domestic violence, car accidents, or other life threatening situations.
No matter the age of the child, the fear and confusion that come with trauma can eventually lead to social, psychiatric, and medical problems. Parents need to be alert to evidence of post traumatic stress (PTSD) in their children. Some of the signs include anxiousness, withdrawal, aggressiveness, and even over exuberance, among many others.
Whether your child is a biological child or was adopted, provide the tools to help your child heal. Discuss the events in age-appropriate ways. Straighten out mis-perceptions such as the child feeling that they caused this to happen. Be nurturing and affectionate. And ask for help if the parent and child need it. Trained professionals will help the child re-frame the trauma, provide additional tools for them to utilize, and will give the parents new perspectives and techniques to help their child heal and grow strong.
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