For example, a school-aged child may begin wetting the bed all of a sudden. Some children start acting significantly younger in response to trauma. This coping strategy also aims to restore a sense of power and control. As a result, they will deny, lie, or rationalize any of the trauma that occurred. For instance, they may still idolize their abusers. Many children want to preserve their innocence and protect the people who harmed them. Likewise, children in abusive homes may have grown up seeing substance use- their caretakers or other loved ones normalized it for them. These drugs can numb the painful memories.
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Substance UseĪn overwhelming amount of children who abuse drugs or alcohol have histories of trauma. This coping strategy helps them feel stronger, temporarily helping them avoid the pain they have internalized. Some children may become violent or destructive towards other people or things. Misbehaving children may be trying to assert their control or power because they don’t feel like they have it in their personal lives. As a result, they start taking on various adult responsibilities. When a child is robbed of their innocence, they may learn that it’s up to them to protect themselves (and possibly their younger siblings). ParentificationĪn overly mature child might please other adults, but this “wise-beyond-their-years” mindset may indicate a history of trauma. They believe external accomplishments might admonish them of this painful feeling. Some children harness all their attention into school or athletics to avoid thinking about what has happened in their personal lives. There are no right-or-wrong coping styles, although some coping styles yield better health outcomes than others. How Do Most Children Cope With Trauma?Ĭhildren cope in many different ways. At this point, it’s not a single trauma- it’s a persistent and complex issue. For example, a child born in an abusive household may endure many years of physical and emotional abuse. Unfortunately, trauma can become chronic. In behavioral health settings, this statistic climbs to over 90%. Research shows that approximately 70% of American adults have experienced at least one traumatic event during their lives. Safe & Secure: Your information will never be traded, rented or sold! How Common Is Trauma? How one copes, reacts, and internalizes the trauma can have lasting consequences on their overall functioning.
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Surviving a severe event, like a massive car accident.Being diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.Surviving a natural disaster or act of terrorism.Witnessing severe violence or abuse happening to another person.
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The sudden, unexpected death of a loved one.Sexual assault, rape, molestation, or attempts to sexually coerce someone.Traumatic incidents vary in severity, but they may include experiences related to: Trauma refers to the overarching definition of real or perceived life-threatening danger. But research continues to highlight that childhood trauma can play a profound role in someone’s personality, coping style, and adult relationships. Many adults don’t necessarily attribute the experiences in their childhood to their current realities. There are many kinds of trauma, and any traumatic event can impact your emotional, physical, or mental well-being.