Psychologists: Parents Can Help Childrent Through Trauma

Helping Children Through Trauma

The consequences of a traumatic experiences may be lingering and deep-seated and children are as susceptible to the after-effects as adults—and sometimes more so. Phychologists advise parents on how to identify and help their children through problems:

Children may temporarily lose their view that the world is a safe and predictable place.
Children may worry that the event may happen again, or that they or their family may die.
Children may have difficulty understanding resulting damage, injuries, or deaths.
Children may experience “secondary” trauma from accounts of others’ experiences
Children may show varying responses: Some may recover quickly from the emotional impact of a disaster. Others may develop ongoing difficulties. Some may not show problems until months or years after the event occurred.
Smells, objects, sounds, sensations, or activities associated with the trauma may trigger stress reactions, but the child may be unaware of the triggers or the behavioral changes that occur.

Factors influencing children’s reactions

Parents’ and adults’ reactions to the disaster and to children’s fears
The level of death and destruction to which the child was exposed during and after the disaster, directly or through media, adults’ conversations, etc.
Degree of continued disruption following the event
Recent loss or previous traumas
Early intervention
Child’s age

General guidelines for helping children cope

Establish old routines.
Accept children’s feelings and reactions as normal, and recognize that reactions may vary from child to child. For example, some children and teens may need to be more dependent for a period of time or may revert to earlier behaviors.
Be selective in children’s access to media and other information sources.
Talk about what happened.
Listen to and accept children’s feelings.
Give honest, simple, brief answers to their questions.
Use age-appropriate language, and make sure they understand your answers and the meaning you intend.
Use words or phrases that won’t confuse a child or make the world more frightening.
Create opportunities for children to talk with each other about what happened and how they are feeling.
Give your child an honest explanation if you are feeling so upset that you don’t want to talk about what happened. You may want to take “time out” and ask a trusted family friend to help.
If children keep asking the same question over and over again, it is because they are trying to understand, trying to make sense out of the disruption and confusion in their lives.
If a child feels guilty, ask him or her to explain what happened. Listen carefully to whether he or she attached a sense of responsibility to some part of the description. Explain the facts of the situation and emphasize that no one, least of all the child, could have prevented it.
Even if you feel the world is an unsafe place, you can reassure the child by saying, “The event is over. Now we’ll do everything possible to stay safe, and together we can help get things back to normal.
Notice when children have questions and want to talk.
Be especially loving and supportive; children need you at this time.

If you have a child who is having trouble coping after Hurricane Ivan contact Dr. Antonia Hawkins, at the Cayman Islands Hospital, on 244-2650/244-2668.

How Adults can improve Coping Skills

It is common for people who have experienced traumatic events to have strong emotional reactions.

Understanding normal responses to these abnormal events can help you cope effectively with your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and help you with recovery.
Feelings may become intense and unpredictable (e.g., irritable, very happy, sad).
Thought and behavior patterns may be affected (e.g., confusion, flashbacks).
Recurring emotional reactions are common (e.g., anniversaries, triggers to upsetting memories).
Interpersonal relationships may become strained (e.g., more conflicts, withdrawal).
Physical symptoms may occur or pre-existing symptoms worsen, requiring medical attention.
Individual reactions may vary: Some may respond immediately, but others have delayed reactions. Some may have lingering adverse effects, while others recover quickly. Some may show no effects at all.
Reactions may also change over time.

Resilience is not a trait people either have or don’t have! It involves thoughts and actions that anyone can learn and develop!

Counsellors at the Cayman Islands Hospital, Department of Substance Abuse Services, and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) are available to help.

For adults, contact Mental Health Outpatient Services, on 244-2650; Dr. Clement Von Kirchenheim, on 244-2726; Kathryn Dinspel-Powell, on 325-5245/325-5244; or the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), on 949-9559.