Judith Herman's Trauma And Recovery

Psychotherapeutic Treatment: It is understandable that some children and teenagers will do everything they possibly can to avoid the feelings they are having. Yet, attempts to avoid or escape their emotions and feelings can make them worse, which is why I chose to implement trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). This has been adaptive for many sexually abused victims and others, is actually developed for kids and is seen to be highly effective. It incorporates both behavioral and cognitive components as well implementing family and supportive elements. Some of the major components of the treatment are psychoeducation and parenting strategies, relaxation, affective expression and regulation, cognitive coping, trauma narrative and processing, in vivo exposure, conjoint parent child sessions and enhancing personal safety.

The trauma these children faced followed them for the rest of their lives, and it got passed on to their children indirectly and also directly: “... The survivors are like family. We experienced trauma in childhood because we were separated from our biological families. Many times we had to look after each other in desperate situations. Today, as adults, we are healing collectively, like a spiritual family” (Knockwood 10).

I am a Behavioral Health major with a concentration in children’s mental health, so I read the book, “Why Are You Scared?” written by Beth Andrews. Miss Andrews is a licensed clinical social worker who works at a community mental health clinic in Colorado. In addition, she writes self-help books for children. For instance, “Why Are You Scared?” is a children’s book about parents who are suffering from PTSD.

While working within the child welfare system, it is important to recognise the trauma-informed care should explore further into psychological safety of children to benefit their long-term welfare. One of the first focuses a social worker should take when working with this family would be to: maximise physical and psychological safety for the children and family. Workers should have an open dialogue with the family to fully understand what support they need. Through this action, a second one of creating a safety plan may be of benefit to maintain everyone safety. This plan should incorporate protecting the children from their mother and any of her current or previous partners, include everyone’s perspective and what fears they may have (Child Welfare Foundation Training, 2015).

Both of these readings highlight the best practices to use when working with those who have experience trauma, but in different populations. The first article by Bath looks at the idea of the three pillars: safety, connection, and managing emotions. The second is more of a research study examining individuals in homeless shelters, which is trauma in and of itself, and often have other psychological problems, as well. When working with any population that has experienced significant traumatic events, or any population for that matter, Trauma-Informed Care should be implemented in order to ensure all individuals are comfortable and receptive to assistance. One of the main similarities between the suggested responses to these demographics is the emphasis on establishing safety.

Your childhood can be a cruel game of survival. Statistics show that 60% of adults report of experiencing difficult family circumstances or abuse during childhood, 20% of children in the United States will witness or experience a traumatic event before they turn four, and young children exposed to five or more significant adverse experiences in the first three years of childhood face a 76% likeliness of having one or more delays in their language, emotional, or brain development. (recognizetrauma.org/trauma.php) Early childhood trauma refers to traumatic experiences that occur to someone during the ages of 0-6. According to the psychodynamic view, loss of memory and dissociating one’s self from a stressful or traumatic event reduces emotional

Research has consistently found that child abuse and neglect (maltreatment) increases the risk of lower academic achievement and problematic school performance. These children have suffered significant emotional stress during critical periods of early brain development and personality formation, the support they require is reparative as well as

It isn't always easy to notice emotional abuse because there are not any physical signs as there are in physical abuse. But, like physical abuse, hyperactivity, depression, and PTSD is seen, in emotional abuse. But there are other consequences of emotional abuse, as well. And even though it's hard to determine a direct cause and effect, of abuse, these are some of the most seen, consequences for children who have reported being emotional abuse. Some of these consequences include insecurities, suicidal behaviors, self-harm, distorted view of self, and impaired social development(Frederico 346).

Though child abuse is inevitable, the ability to improve outcomes for children of abuse is achievable with the right resources. This is why creating and an awareness of child abuse, identifying attributes of resilience and their relevance in overcoming adversity is imperative. According to Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University resilience can make or break a child’s journey in overcoming their abuse, “In the final analysis, resilience is rooted in both the physiology of adaptation and the experiences we provide for children that either promote or limit its development.” (2015, p. 1), which is why to be active members of society and understanding the importance of reporting abuse. Reporting abuse not only provides an opportunity to safeguard that child, but it also rolls up into federal reporting leading to increased awareness at a national level with potential for increased funding to sustain or improve existing or create new programs and services for abused children.

Dr. Bruce Perry began his book The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook – What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing with a statement about children and their resilience. Much like what we discussed in class, Dr. Perry touched on how children were thought to be naturally resilient and that they seemed to bounce back quickly. However, he continued with the statement that even the slightest bit of stress can impact an infant's development. Likewise, we discussed numerous things that can impact the welfare of children, such as attachment, education, and poverty.

Maltreatment has a severe impact on a child’s current and future functioning and development regarding their emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral, and physical wellbeing.(Frederico 345). Different types of abuse, such as physical, emotional, and sexual have different consequences, but the consequences of all maltreatment, are likely to happen in three stages. Firstly, a child may have an initial reaction such as post-traumatic symptoms, painful emotions, and cognitive distortions. Secondly, children develop coping strategies that are aimed to help increase their safety or reduce their pain. Thirdly, a child 's sense of self-worth is damaged and develop the feeling of shame and hopelessness..

To most, Post-traumatic stress disorder is a phrase synonymous with war veterans and coping victims. But to me, PTSD simply sums up my childhood. My mother immigrated to the United States when she was twelve years old. An orphan of the Cambodian genocide, she was scarred mentally and physically by years of enslavement and inconsolable abandonment. My mother’s PTSD gave way to her everyday paranoia, and being raised by her has made growing up very challenging.

Even though it might seem less brutal than physical abuse, it leaves the same and somewhat deeper impact because of its focus on the child 's mental and social development. This causes lasting psychological wounds throughout

In the article “ The Developmental Impact of Child Abuse on Adulthood: Implications for Counselors,” Adultspan Journal explains the multiple effects of child abuse. The authors April Sikes and Dancia Hays explain how child abuse has an extremely negative effect on children as they transition into adulthood. These effects can be physical, social, and even mental. Being treated badly as a child increases the risks in social development. Some examples of this are substance abuse, criminal behavior, violence, and risky sexual behavior.

A child who experiences trauma of domestic violence will hinder their emotional growth, hence the child will not develop and maintain a normal level of trust. A child that experiences domestic violence or is exposed to domestic violence can develop a fear of their environment, for they think that everyone will try to hurt them. They also do not trust anyone with their problems or issues, hence they will keep everything inside and this will affect their state of mind. An abused spouse may experience chronic psydiasmatic pain or pain due to diffuse trauma without visible evidence. This form of pain will have a very bad effect on the body.