How to deal with trauma in children? & bull; hello healthy

Trauma to children is not something that is easy to overcome. Children who have experienced trauma need special attention so that the trauma they feel does not occur continuously. This can happen because trauma to children can interfere with their development, which can then be carried over to adulthood.

Trauma to children can be found in the form of physical and psychological trauma, in which psychological trauma involves emotional experiences that are painful, shocking, stressful, sometimes even life-threatening to the child. These experiences can occur in times of natural disasters, physical violence, sexual violence, and terrorism.

What are the consequences of trauma to children?

Children who have experienced trauma should receive more attention because trauma that occurs at a child's age can affect their development. This can happen because children experience a lot of development, especially brain development. And the trauma that occurs during this time - which can be acquired from parental neglect, physical abuse, sexual violence and emotional abuse - can affect the normal development of a child's brain, including the size of a child's brain that helps control a child's reaction to danger.

During school age, trauma can delay a child's ability to react to hazards, such as the shock reflex. The biological changes that occur in the body as a result of trauma can affect how children and adolescents respond to future dangers and stresses in their lives, and can also affect their long-term health.

Not only biologically, trauma can also have an impact on children's emotions because at this time the child's emotions are also in the development stage. Childhood is a time when children are learning to recognize emotions and deal with their emotions with the help of parents and caregivers. And when trauma occurs during this time, children will find it difficult to recognize their emotions. This can cause the child to show excessive emotions. Children are also more likely to hide their feelings.

How to deal with trauma in children?

A child's reaction to trauma can be demonstrated immediately or later, and the severity of this trauma can differ from child to child. Children who already have mental health problems, have experienced trauma in the past, have little support from family and the environment may show more reactions to trauma.

The signs of trauma that a child shows can vary depending on the child's age. Children under 5 years of age who have experienced trauma will show signs such as fear, persistently "clinging" to their parents, crying or screaming, whining or shaking, remaining silent, and being afraid of the dark.

Meanwhile, children aged 6-11 years will show signs such as isolating themselves, being very quiet, having nightmares or sleeping problems, not wanting to sleep, irritability and can overdo it, unable to concentrate at school, asking friends to fight, and losing their interest in sleeping. do something fun.

To overcome trauma in this child, you as a parent can do something, as follows:

• Doing routine family things together

  Like eating together, watching TV together, and going to bed. Do this daily activity as usual. This allows the child to feel more secure and in control. Let the child live with people who are familiar or close to him, such as parents and family.

• Children need special attention from parents

  After experiencing trauma, children tend to be more dependent on parents, especially mothers, so you as a mother must make time for your child. Give your child a hug to make him feel safer and more comfortable. If they are afraid to sleep, you can turn on the lights in the nursery or let the children sleep with you. It's natural for children to want to be close to you all the time.

• Keep things that are related to the cause of the child's trauma

  Like not watching a disaster program, if a child is traumatized by the disaster. This will only make the child's trauma worse, the child can recall what happened, making the child afraid and stressed.

• Understand your child's reaction to trauma

  The reaction of children to trauma varies, how you understand and accept this child's reaction can help children recover from trauma. The child may react in a very sad and angry manner, may not be able to speak, and may behave as if nothing hurtful has happened to him or her. Give children the understanding that feelings of sadness and disappointment are normal feelings for them to feel right now.

• Talk to children

  Listen to children's stories and understand their feelings, give answers that are honest and easy to understand when children ask questions. If your child keeps asking the same questions, it means that he is confused and is trying to understand what happened. Use words that make children comfortable, not use words that can scare children. Help children in expressing what they feel well.

• Support your child and make him feel comfortable

  Children really need you at this time, accompany him every time he needs you. Reassure your child that he can get through this and also tell him that you really love him.