Trauma can be referred to as an emotional response to a weird or unpleasant event such as an accident, sexual harassment, emotional abuse, or natural disaster. You may think about the term “traumatic child” or how can a child experience any trauma- they are too young for this affliction. But, there is a term “childhood trauma” that includes several types of shocks that impact negatively on the mind and health of the child. Such experiences can result in strong emotions and physical reactions that linger for a longer time post-event. Some of them later deal with depression and other mental issues.
Types of Traumatic Experiences
- Sexual Harassment or abuse including trafficking
- Terrorist attacks and violence
- Parents divorce and fights with each other in front of the child
- A Personal loss like the death of a loved one
- Accidents and more
How to know a child is suffering from traumatic stress?
There are certain symptoms shown by a child who deals with any traumatic stress. These are the signals you can catch and heal the right way at the right time.
A. The preschooler
- Fear of being separated from the parents or caretaker
- Screaming
- Crying more than usual
- Poor eating or hungry for a long time
- Having nightmares or crying in the sleep
B. Elementary School Children
- Become fearful
- Anxiety
- Guilt feeling
- Shame
- Loss of focus
- Insomnia
C. Middle and high school children
- Depressed
- Alone
- Self-harming
- Drug abuse
- Alcohol and smoking
- Getting involved in sexual behavior
These are the symptoms you may notice in a child who had a past traumatic experience. If a child is dealing with trauma, he or she may give a sign of trouble and get scared, anxious, irritated, or even withdrawn. You have to notice, and recognize these signs and watch their reaction. If the matter is serious, always approach a professional counselor or life coach, and yoga trainers for intense relaxation and deep breathing practices.
Types of trauma that your kid might be dealing with–
- Bullying
- Community violence
- Complex trauma
- Early childhood trauma (occur between 0-6 years)
- Physical trauma
- Sexual trauma
- Medical trauma, etc.
How to heal a traumatic child?
Trauma can leave its eternal mark on a child’s mind and heart and the wound sometimes never gets dissolved. If you find a child having all or a few symptoms, then you can offer a helping hand to him/her by being a listener. It happens when a child suffers from an unpleasant experience; he/she disconnects and spends time alone. Such kids avoid asking for help and try to act like a hero, but that doesn’t mean they have to live on their own.
- Acknowledgment
You need to recognize the type of trauma and help them recover from the unseen wounds. If you think that a child will come to you and share his/her story without hesitation, then wake up! It will never be going to happen. Some of them will just pretend that the event didn’t happen, while some of them will succumb to feeling guilty. You have to make them understand that they were not responsible for that ordeal. - Avoid isolating them
It’s a common signal that a traumatic child sends when he/she is suffering. Kids love talking and playing together but when you find any child sitting alone, or depressed, try to talk to him/her and offer support. - Let them learn the true meaning of letting go and acceptance
At times, it becomes difficult for a kid to accept the situation and move on. To avoid any further distortion or damage, you must counsel the kid and make them understand that letting go of the bad memories will only help them in lightening their baggage. - Have patience
Kids are vulnerable and develop strong emotions, defense mechanisms, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. Healing takes time and the more intense the wound is, the more time it will take to get healed.
How Yoga and Meditation can help traumatic child?
It’s the hardest thing for a yoga instructor or coach to create interest in yoga and meditation among kids and especially when the kid has a dark past. But, there are good, experienced, and spiritually awaken yogis that can make your kid do yoga if you completely surrender. Yoga demands complete surrender and if you can do that, you will help your child in getting good mental and physical health.
Yogymummy is one of such place where you can bring your child suffering from depression or mood swings. You can even get online sessions on request. For more details, connect with Yogymummy team and let them handle the rest.