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Traumatic Experiences

This variability arises from several factors, such as an individual's environment, age, and personality (i.e. anxiously wired or deeply feeling kiddos), which all influence their perception of threat.
 It also depends on what happens after the traumatic event. For example, if someone is in a state of fight, flight, freeze and they are alone or isolated, left invalidated (i.e. “it’s no big deal” or “just get over it)” may experience trauma differently than those who receive validation, access safe spaces, and have opportunities for processing and relationship repair.

Therapists often distinguish between "Big T" and "Little t" traumas. "Big T" traumas encompass significant events such as accidents, abuse, natural disasters, and chronic bullying. “Little t’s” are just as important! They are events that might seem more like “everyday” stressors that may be overlooked, like being laughed at in the lunch room, social exclusion, or performance pressure. 

Defining trauma is challenging due to its subjective nature and varied impact on individuals. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) defines a traumatic event as "a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child's life or bodily integrity." While this definition provides a starting point, the experience of what constitutes a "life-threatening" event can look differently for everyone.

Adjustment Disorders happen when someone feels anxious, depressed, or starts acting differently because of a big change or stress in their life. This might be after something like moving to a new place or going through a tough situation. These feelings usually show up within 3 months of the change and often go away within 6 months.

ADJUSTMENT DISORDERS

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ACUTE STRESS DISORDER

Acute Stress Disorder is similar, but happens right after something really traumatic (like an accident or major shock). It causes symptoms like anxiety, nightmares, or flashbacks. If these symptoms last for more than 3 days and make it hard to go about daily life (at home, work, or school), it may be diagnosed as acute stress. These symptoms usually get better within a month, and likely faster with therapy.

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Complex PTSD (CPTSD) happens when someone experiences long-term or repeated trauma. This is often harder to heal from than regular PTSD. People with CPTSD may have trouble controlling their emotions, building healthy relationships, and seeing themselves in a positive light.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) happens when someone continues to struggle with symptoms for at least 6 months after a traumatic event. Here are the signs of PTSD:
  • Intrusion: Unwanted memories, nightmares, or flashbacks that bring the trauma back.
  • Avoidance: Trying to stay away from things that remind them of the trauma, like people, places, or even thoughts and feelings related to the event.
  • Negative thoughts and mood: Feeling very guilty, sad, or anxious, and often thinking badly about themselves, others, or the world.
  • Hyperarousal: Feeling on edge all the time, getting easily startled, being very irritable, or having trouble concentrating or sleeping.

COMPLEX PTSD (CPTSD)

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

REACTIVE ATTACHMENT DISORDER (RAD)

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is something that can happen to kids who have been neglected or abused at a very young age. Children with RAD may have trouble connecting with their caregivers. They might act very distant or overly clingy, have trouble trusting people, and struggle to form healthy relationships with others.

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Treatment for Trauma

TF-CBT is another effective treatment for children and adolescents to process trauma. TF-CBT starts with teaching about trauma, practicing and using healthy coping skills, and understanding the connection of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Then, with the help of their therapist, the child will engage in creating a trauma story. In doing this, the child is making sense of the traumatic situation, changing negative thoughts that have “stuck” with them, and desensitizing that “sting”. 

EMDR is a common treatment that helps the brain process painful memories in a way that reduces their emotional "sting." 

When someone goes through a traumatic event, their brain sometimes has trouble fully processing it, and the memory stays "stuck" in a way that keeps causing distress. It’s like helping the brain put the past where it belongs, so it doesn’t keep affecting your present life in a negative way. Many people find EMDR helps them feel more at peace and able to move on from their trauma.

In EMDR, the therapist skillfully guides the client to recall the traumatic memory while doing special movements called “bilateral movements.” What are bilateral movements, you ask? Initially, EMDR started with moving your eyes (just like in REM sleep!) back and forth from side to side, but studies have shown that any back-and-forth movement works. For instance, some EMDR therapists have clients hold buzzers in each hand that buzz back and forth, and they will watch a therapist’s finger move back and forth. Child therapists might find more creative ways, like drumming or jumping. This helps the brain "reprocess" the memory, so it doesn't feel as painful or overwhelming. Over time, this can make the memory feel less upsetting and easier to deal with.

EYE MOVING DESENSITIZATION REPROCESSING (EMDR)

TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (TF-CBT)

SOMATIC THERAPY

Somatic Therapy connects the mind and body. Our bodies hold trauma, and talk therapy is only part of the work. Often, people will try to avoid their body sensations, will dissociate or feel disconnected from their body, feel numb, or even the opposite, have a lot of physical reactions or discomfort. Examples of somatic work are building awareness of body sensations, learning and practicing grounding exercises, such as breath work or mindful movement, and bringing the mind and body into balance. 

ACCELERATED RESOLUTION THERAPY (ART)

ART is a type of therapy that helps people heal from trauma and distressing memories by using a unique approach to "reprogram" how the brain stores and reacts to those memories. It’s a relatively new and quick treatment, designed to work faster than traditional therapy methods. ART combines elements of different therapies, including eye movement (similar to EMDR) and guided imagery, to help people process trauma. The idea is to help the brain "rewrite" the way memories are stored so that they are less painful or overwhelming.

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