The Role Of Trauma In Children

Childhood and adolescence is a crucial time for humans- a time full of physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Upon observing the significant impact that trauma induced stress can have on adults following time in combat or an injury, when adults have fully matured in all areas, it raises the question of what influence post-traumatic stressors can have on development in children. This issue was so significant that in the DSM-5, the psychologists introduced a new, and separate, section of criteria for PTSD that specifically relates to the preschool subtype, or those individuals six years and younger. The first age specific sub-type for this disorder is important due to the rising number of studies and cases of PTSD in children.

It impacts the maturation of specific brain areas at particular ages, the physiological and neuro-endocrinological responses as well as impacting the ability to coordinate cognitions, behaviours and emotional regulation. Therefore, the effect of trauma is different in different developmental stages. Ornitz (1996) has listed critical periods of major structural changes in brain development in accordance with Piaget’s stages of cognitive development. This includes the periods between early childhood (1.5-4 years), late childhood (6-10 years), puberty and mid-adolescence. This ensures that there are widespread implications of trauma in childhood especially in terms of the age at which exposure to trauma occurs as well as the areas of the brain affected. For example, the volume of the brain shows a rapid increase in first two years (Matsuzawa et al., 2001), a time when the development of attachment also takes place. Moreover, this growth is more experience- dependent (Schore, 2001). Children below the age of two also show a greater right brain than left brain

Trauma is an individual’s visceral reaction to a horrible event, events such as early childhood traumas, accidents, sexual abuse, or community violence (apa.org, 2016). An individual may react with shock and denial in the aftermath. As time continues some reactions may comprise of mood swings, intrusive memories, difficulties maintaining relationships and can manifest into physical symptoms to include headache or upset stomach. There are individuals who experience difficulties functioning in their daily lives; these observable responses are a normal response to the trauma (apa.org, 2016).

Sixty percent of adults report experiencing abuse or other difficult family circumstances during childhood. (Mental Health Connection, N.D.). This shocking statistic exemplifies the high prevalence of childhood trauma. Furthermore, twenty-six percent of children in the United States will witness or experience a traumatic event before the age of four. (Mental Health Connection, N.D.) Trauma is an extremely common and complex phenomenon. But what is trauma? According to Merriam Webster, trauma is defined as, “a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury.” (Merriam Webster, 2017). Dr. Lenore C. Terr from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of America further describes trauma as unique to each individual. It can be caused by a series of events or one severe incident. Unfortunately, childhood trauma is usually experienced repeatedly. For example, many children endure sexual abuse, bullying, and severe family problems over and over again. Children may experience a variety of traumas that have lasting consequences on their mental health. Those who experience childhood trauma are more likely to develop psychological disorders. This occurs because their brains lack neuroplasticity, which inhibits their ability to adapt to various stressful circumstances.

At least 50% of all adults and children are exposed to a psychologically traumatic event (such as a life-threatening assault or accident, humanmade or natural disaster, or war). As many as 67% of trauma survivors experience lasting psychosocial impairment, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); panic, phobic, or generalized anxiety disorders; depression; or substance abuse.(Van der Kolk, et al, 1994) Symptoms of PTSD include persistent involuntary re-experiencing of traumatic distress, emotional numbing and detachment from other people, and hyperarousal (irritability, insomnia, fearfulness, nervous agitation). PTSD is linked to structural neurochemical changes in the central nervous system which may have a direct

“American Psychiatric Association defines trauma as an event that represents a threat to life or personal integrity. Trauma can also be experienced when children are faced with a caregiver who acts erratically, emotional and /or physical neglect, and exploitation” (Maltby, L., & Hall, T. 2012. p. 304). Trauma comes in many different forms including: war, rape, kidnapping, abuse, sudden injury, and

This is a brief synoposis of how the brain process trauma. The “DOING” brain called the amygdala, is located in the limbic system, where response to threat, and intense emotion happens (Ferencik, 2010). This is intended to act as a “smoke alarm” that triggers when our brain thinks we are in danger. It is designed to help us respond to possible danger and react accordingly. The “THINKING” brain called the prefrontal cortex helps us plan, solve problems, and organize the world around us. It helps us analyse situations realistically and make logical decisions (Ferencik,

The effects of trauma can be looked at into two separate categories however, they both are interrelated: neurodevelopment and psychosocial development. From the onset of birth, we are born with 100 billion neurons, much more than we will ever need and much more than we will ever have. Between these neurons, trillions of synapses are created. Depending upon the early life experiences in relation to attachments with caregivers and our environment, some synapses will be strengthened whilst others will be discarded.

Childhood trauma is one of the most heartbreaking situations to ever fathom happening. Childhood trauma includes neglect, maltreatment, physical and emotional abuse, and many other forms of mistreatment amongst children. Childhood trauma occurs between the ages of 0 and 6 years of age. When referencing to childhood trauma, one must take thought into who commits the abuse, who is affected by the abuse, and what long term effects can the abuse have on the victims. One must also take into consideration the sex differences when referring to childhood trauma. Numerous of studies have been conducted and many findings have been made. Prior to conducting this research paper, I only considered childhood trauma to be what it was and never considered the long term effects. Because of my assumption, I never even considered the other categories of the trauma.

When examining at a broad scope, traumatic events are often linked to PTSD (Cepeda, Saint Onge, Kaplan & Valdez, 2010), but this is generally examined at the adult level. Hurricane Katrina took its psychological toll on adolescents as well. Just as adults turn to substance use in stressful situations, adolescents follow this same pattern (Beaudoin, 2011). Adolescents are particularly vulnerable in the wake of a disaster (Wagner, Brief, Vielhauer, Sussman, Keane & Malow, 2009). The exposures of this disaster on adolescents lead to the development of destructive health behaviors. After disaster adolescents, namely female adolescents, suffer interpersonal victimization (Wagner, Brief, Vielhauer, Sussman, Keane & Malow, 2009). Young females are

There are many types of trauma that can effect an adolescent and without the proper treatment of the traumatic event the adolescent can have difficulty adapting and developing into adulthood. Kathleen J. Moroz, of the Vermont Agency of Human Services, defines trauma as a physical or psychological threat or assault to a child’s physical integrity, sense of self, safety of survival or to the physical safety of another person significant to the child. She goes on to list the types of trauma a child may be exposed to. Abuse of every kind, domestic violence, natural disasters, abandonment, serious illness or an accident are just a few traumatic events that can effect the development of a child. (2) When these events occur as an acute event

In Bremner’s (2007) article, he states that “Traumatic stress has a broad range of effects on brain function and structure, as well as on neuropsychological components of memory” (p. 455). Specifically, the areas of the brain that are affected by a trauma response include the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and, the neurochemical systems. Therefore, neurologically speaking, when trauma is experienced, it changes how the brain transmits, interprets the event and stores the information. In addition, Broderick (2015), states that physiological and neuropsychological changes are also evident in children who have experienced risk. For example, DRD4 indicates higher levels of aggression, 5-HTT indicates anxiety and depression, the child can experience weak verbal, problem solving skills, and, become unable to understand the consequences, of their reactions to feeling at risk (p. 276).

Aidan is a 13 year old boy that turns 14 next month. Aidan reminded his mother and Intake Case Manager of his birthday throughout the intake. Aidan was accompanied to the interview by his mother whom he resides with. He also lives with his sister and mother’s fiancée. Aidan takes pleasure in swimming, bowling, One Direction and High School Musical. Lisa Ann/mother reports that Aidan receives SSI and will attend Hermitage High School. Aidan has been diagnosed with autism and moderately ID. Lisa Ann reports that Aidan suffers from seizures. Lisa Ann expressed that Aidan was having mild seizures that gradually worsen to grand mal seizures. The doctor prescribe medications were not helping. With the knowledge of Aidan’s doctor and the guardian

Trauma is obviously a very impactful thing on someone’s life. It can hurt people in various ways and

Loss of speech, sleeplessness, self-harms, nightmares, having suicidal thoughts or actions are some signs that indicate a child that has experienced a traumatic event. Trauma is a reflective emotion, triggered by how an individual /child may react to a frightening or shocking situation. It is defined by the reaction of the child to a specific event. However, trauma to one child may not be trauma to another. But the child that experiences this can be scared for a lifetime. This strain can begin as soon as birth is given to a child, throughout his /her eighteen (18) years of childhood. Nevertheless that child can have flashback of the event straight over into their adulthood depending on how they cope with the situation.