Childhood Trauma - Paper Example

How common is it for children to experience this kind of trauma?

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Trauma is a manner in which an individual whether young or old reacts towards a given event. Trauma varies from one individual to the other, and reaction towards trauma is variable in terms of coping with it. Lack of safety and protection ignites traumatic events amongst the minor; this is credited to the extent at which a child perceive the above qualities from the parent. More so, constant and intense bullying in a considerable period of time affects a child traumatically. Bullying begins at the preschool level and advance over time; this is brought about by one or more individuals during this early school period (Kanopy, 2016).

Child separation from loved ones is also a factor that contributes to traumatic conditions among children. Divorce, military deployment, and ejection of a child from home due to neglect are some of the contributing factors that lead to a child being separated from home (Cohn, 2011). Emotional abuse of a child can also be a considerable factor that contributes to childhood trauma; humiliation or insults towards a child contribute to the emotional transformation of a child. Childhood trauma brought about by emotional factor is long-lasting and affect the manner in which a child relates with others. Domestic violence is another factor that contributes to childhood trauma; this is brought about by intimidation, manipulation, humiliation or injury of another partner. Domestic violence subject a minor to long-term trauma since they experience it first-hand and are often left in a helpless situation.

In addition, substance abuse contributes majorly to childhood trauma. Substance abuse by a close family member affect a child psychologically and thus childhood trauma. Firsthand experience of a child being exposed to a family member who is ever on drugs affects them negatively. Similarly, flight from home as a refugee at a tender age causes childhood trauma. Flight from home at a tender age can be brought by violence, or other related factors result to a child being a refugee (Karr-Morse & Wiley, 2012). The thought and scenario that a child is left as a refugee result to childhood trauma.

Are there specific effects that result from this kind of childhood trauma?

Loss of interest in normal activities; childhood trauma affect the manner in which a child participates or rather behave around in normal activities. Loss of interest in normal activities is the output of childhood trauma for children who are in preschool due to the condition that the find themselves in soon afterward. Loss of interest can also be credited to fear of the unknown (Karr-Morse & Wiley, 2012).

Irritability; childhood trauma contributes to a child being constantly irritated over minor things. Trauma exposes a child to a different level of reaction to some designated events. Constant irritation of a child is a trait that is greatly brought about by childhood trauma.

Development of new fears; fear factor is a resultant factor of childhood trauma. A child perception when handling a given responsibility or during their leisure will always be accompanied by fear of the unknown. They can never know what to expect from allowing themselves into a given range of activities.

Reduced concentration; there is reduced the index of concentration of a child that is elevated by childhood trauma. Given that childhood trauma is more of an emotional exercise, a child concentration level is greatly affected.

Separation anxiety; children who are subjected to childhood trauma brought about by domestic violence is always on the verge of anticipation of separation. Separation anxiety is brought about by fear of a child in terms of their welfare and security (Kanopy, 2016).

Decline in schoolwork; performance in schoolwork is adversely affected by childhood trauma.

What kinds of behaviors do children who have undergone this kind of trauma demonstrate?

The intense reaction is often associated with a child with a history of complex trauma. Lack of impulse control and self-regulation before acting in any manner are the resultant effects of childhood trauma in terms of behavior. Complex instances of trauma affect the manner in which a child become volatile, unpredictable, extreme or oppositional (Kanopy, 2016). More so, complexly traumatized children often find themselves associating in high-risk behaviors such as excessive risk-take, self-harm, and unsafe sexual ordeals, and also operating or driving motor vehicles at a very high speed. In addition, such children are subjected to substance abuse or indeterminate alcohol behaviors, robbery, prostitution or assault offenders, commonly subjecting them to the juvenile justice system.

Many trauma interventions are developed from heartfelt concern for children and their families but have no scientific basis.

Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) is a well-organized group, individual or school-based intervention program (Cohn, 2011). The main aim of this program is to improve functioning, behavioral process, improve on grades and performance, coping skills, peer and parent support. CBITS is a well-organized program destined for children in 5th to 12th grade who are victims of traumatic events such as domestic violence, school bullying, and man-made or natural disasters.

References;

Cohn, R. (2011). Coming home to passion: Restoring loving sexuality in couples with histories of childhood trauma and neglect. Santa Barbara, Calif: Praeger.

Films Media Group,, & TED Conferences LLC. (2016). TEDTalks: Nadine Burke Harris, How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime.

Kanopy (Firm). (2016). Childhood Trauma.

Karr-Morse, R., & Wiley, M. S. (2012). Scared sick: The role of childhood trauma in adult disease. New York: Basic Books.