Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children Essay

Abstr sourPost Traumatic examine perturb affects non only adults but in addition children. on that point are 4 major offices by which sufferingtic fonts may affect the cordial state of children cognitively, affectively, behavior tout ensembley and psychosomatically. in that respect are questions as to the sufficiency of the instrumentation use in determining and measuring of the disorder. Studies in addition show that the fear roll in the hayd by adults in seeing signs of aggression in children may be affecting adversely affecting the accomplishable therapeutic benefits of normal childs p puzzle and bodily activity. There may be a need for programs specifically geared to struggled educating parents and primary care givers of children suffering from posttraumatic underscore disorder in how to handle and deal with the childs disorder and mental needs.Post Traumatic Stress turnover in Children as a Result of Violence, Crime and contendIt is not unusual for most a dults, particularly those who are parents, to keep self-aggrandizing things away from children. As much as likely, childhood should remain a time of innocence and joy without the province or care for matters that trouble the world. But what if it notwithstanding posteriornot be avoided and bad things happen to children? In the aftermath of unhappy events, how do children display trauma and what are the things that tidy sum should know in dealing with children suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder? For example, the September 11, 2001 terror attacks left behind families and children who catch disjointed moms and dads in that instant. Even adults and children who were indirectly affected by the attacks have pornographic to suffer feelings of anxiety and shattered security in their personal and familial safety (Smith & Reyn sexagenarians, 2002).Besides the inevitable feelings of grief, children especially were left behind and real much contend with nightmares and mo rbid pictures of the traumatic ends their loved ones experienced as wellspring as the stress and roughy of trying to picture lives without mom or dad. It is also important to remember that the effect of trauma are not limited to those who suffer it directly (Sims, Hayden, Palmer & Hutchins, 2000, p. 41)The ubiquity of television also afforded children at inhabitation not only news of the attacks but also glorious pictures and descriptions of the tragedy and all its violence.The case of a 7-twelvemonth old boy named grayback is cited in the study (2002) by Smith and Reynolds. Following the 9/11 attacks, greyback pay backed a constant fear of his parents leavinghome and getting killed by bad men. He also developed a phobia of elevators and would throw tantrums whenever his parents tried to make him use one. Johnny admitted to his healer that his fear of elevator stemmed from a story he hear of how people in the Twin Towers were trapped and killed while riding in the elevator s. (Smith & Reynolds, 2002) Neither Johnny nor his family were directly involved or affected in the terror attack.The mental and emotional strain suffered by survivors and those affected by this very high profile event led to the Ameri rear end psychiatric Associations setting up of counseling services cerebrate on grief, acute stress and Post Traumatic Stress sickness (posttraumatic stress disorder) (Smith & Reynolds, 2002).What is posttraumatic stress disorder? Originally associated with survivors and veterans of the Vietnam War, posttraumatic stress disorder refers to an impairment of an individuals cleverness to function in everyday following exposure or experience of an exceptionally disturbing event. Besides war, this has grown to cover the ill mental and emotional effects of natural and civilian catastrophes, criminal assault, rape, terrorist attacks and accidents. (Murray, 1992, p. 315)The DSM IV presents a more broadened translation of traumatic exposure as the person e xperienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical unity of self or opposites, and which evoked intense fear, helplessness, or horror (Mcnally, 2003).This broadened definition also qualifies extreme horror at what other peoples experience or events outside their environment as possible causes of PTSD.Symptoms of PTSD include vivid and morbid imagery, numb, disruptions in thoughts and cognition, slow response and reaction, difficult feelings of anxiety, persistence of nightmares and difficulties in dealing with and solving problems. (Foa & Meadows, 1997)Saylor and Swenson, et.al state that in the lead the former(a) 80s there was minimal attention given to how children were affected by traumatic events. It took two powerful hurricanes, one devastating temblor and the bombing of the Oklahoma rivet before it was realized that there were very little preparedness in ministering to the mental needs of traumatized children (Saylor, Swenson, Reynolds & Taylor, 1999, p. 70).In 1999, psychologist Barbara Lowenthal pegged the do of children in America being exposed to traumatic events each year at four million. These traumatic events include physical, sexual and emotional poke fun neglect accidents severe injuries and natural disasters. Lowenthal also says that these children are at a high risk of suffering from PTSD and may cause them to be prone to developing phobias and other neuro-psychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression (Lowenthal, 1999).The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress disoblige (NCPTSD, 2001) reports that there is a higher likelihood of mental symptoms associated with PTSD to be found among children who have experienced traumatic events before the age of 11 compared to those who suffer trauma at later ages. (Alat, 2002)Lowenthal also says that besides the general symptoms of PTSD, children who have suffered trauma are likely t o develop difficulties in forming relationships, cognition and learning, as well as a numbing that may make affected children experience difficulty in reason and expressing their feelings in addition to regulating their emotions. This often leads to provocative behaviors and avoidance of intimacy. (Lowenthal, 1999).In his article in the Journal of Multi-cultural Counseling and Development in 2004, clinical psychologist and Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA) Gargi Roysircar studied the case of 20-year old Yugoslavian migr Stephen, who at the age of 10 witnessed the height of the civil war between Christians and Muslims in Kosovo in 1990. Stephen remembers witnessing about 80% of his classmates get killed by bombs, sniper shots and gunfire as they walked to and from crop. At age 14, Stephen was taken by his begin to the frontlines and be deft in combat to fight with the Serbian army. The bordering two years wold take Stephen all over the Balkans and would expo se him to all kinds of privation and war atrocities.Eventually migrating as political refugees in the join States, in 1999, Stephen demonstrated difficulty in acculturation and adjustment. The constant chemise he experienced in war a considerable with the mistrust bred by his chivalric and cultural paranoia fostered by the Croatian community they lived with made it difficult for Stephen to acclimatize to peacetime setting. Roysircar describes Stephen as having recurrent thoughts and images of his violent experience in the Balkans. He experienced nightmares, hostility and a profound sense of a wishing of belonging. Stephen also often recounted the difficulties he experienced including hiding in a basement and eating rats especially when angry. He also displays a established hatred for the Muslims and believes the Middle East should be wiped get through the demo of the reality (Roysircar, 2004). This kind of behavior can very well be case-hardened as expected according to an s tudy published in the Australian Journal of betimes Childhood in 2000. The researchers posit that in destroyed times, children are forced to adjust out of necessity for survival. This experience develops the topic of a dangerous world where no one can be trusted and therefore prompts children to be the aggressor rather than the victim (Sims, Hayden, Palmer & Hutchins, 2000, p. 41). jibe to Vazquez there are many conditions that fit the general description of PTSD. There are however dissimilitudes in depth, complexity and intensity that require arrogate and often differing treatments (Vazquez, 2005).In Stephens case, the therapy method that worked for him involved deep self-reflection and existential therapy sessions with his counselor where he was able to open up and tell stories of his experiences and thoughts of his past and present, and dreams for the future (Roysircar, 2004).Effects and Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress DisorderIt is important to remember that not every c hild who is exposed to or experiences trauma develops PTSD. Since the 1980s there has been marked growth in the organic evolution of instrumentation in the measurement and treatment of PTSD in children. These sagacity methods designed for children of different age separates include structured interviews, questionnaires, self-report scales, inventories, and psychophysiological evaluation (Alat, 2002)There are four major ways by which PTSD can affect children cognitively,affectively, behavioral and physiological-somatically (Lowenthal, 1999 Alat, 2002).Cognitively, children experience fear at a possible repetition of the traumatic event. Some may even feel answerable for the traumatic events occurrence. There may also be wonder, pedantic and developmental problems, lowered IQ and diminished abilities in phrase and communication.In its affective effects, children with PTSD capture emotionally fragile and are given to fits of outburst and anger. They develop low thresholds for stress and fear. They be have intercourse nervous, haughty and often feel a sense of futility.Behaviors can also become extreme. Affected children may become either very loud or very shy. It is not unusual for children to revert to juvenile behavior such(prenominal) as thumb sucking or regression in academic knowledge. They may also develop self-destructive behavior and become undefendable to alcohol, drugs, and self-abuse.Children may also manifest PTSD in the form of physical sickness such as high temperatures, vomiting and headaches(Alat, 2002). There may also be instances of sleep and eating disorders, fatigue and biochemical alterations in the brain (Alat, 2002)Family members and teachers generally notice these symptoms first. At this time, it is important that both come together and develop ways of supporting the affected child. A school counselor may be able to help evaluate whether a child indeed has PTSD or not.Therapy with a professionally trained psychiatrist, psycholog ist, counselor or therapist is the treatment for persons diagnosed with PTSD. The methods employed however, may commute according to the severity of the disorder as may be observed in the individual.Majority of the suggested therapies that parents and educators are encouraged to employ with children suffering from PTSD are physical and social expression/reflection through group and one-on one interaction as well as play base therapies (Alat, 2002). This particular therapy however has encountered difficulties particularly after the 9/11 attacks and the mind that aggression addressed in the earlier stages will stave off future violent behavior.For example, a child who builds a tower of blocks and travel an airplane into them may be viewed as at-risk for future violence. This childs behavior, in fact, may be a healthy and developmentally reserve way to gain mastery over the childs fears, anger, and wonder about Sept. 11.Smith and Reynolds (2002) decry this repression of a childs possible venting or anger and state that instead of suppressing the aggression manifested by children at play, parents and educators should let children be inwardly certain limits. As long as children do not cause harm to themselves, others or objects within their surroundings, it is best that they be allowed to express their anger and whatever negative feelings they have in a therapeutic manner. (Smith & Reynolds, 2002)Conclusion The researcher observes that while there is an acceptance and awareness of the existence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among children, there still seem to be a lot of confusion as to what are the indicators of such disorder as well as the methods by which it should be addressed and treated.While Lowenthal (1999), Alat (2002) and other psychologists have managed to change such symptoms in four main categories, it is also stated in most studies that childhood trauma does not necessarily result in PTSD. There is still a question as to how the average l ay person may be able to distinguish between delayed PTSD and natural defiance and common anxiety.The researcher also spy that several of the symptoms listed in determining PTSD can also be found listed as symptoms of other psychological disorders in the DSM IV. The only difference is that with PTSD, there is a requisite traumatic event that is supposed to act as a trigger for the disorder.Smith and Reynolds (2002) make a valid point as to how adult paranoia of events that could by chance happen could seriously invalid the coping mechanism of children and therefore cause more harm than good. logical system dictates that feelings left unexpressed often come out one way or another.Alat also makes a good suggestion in promote teachers /educators to help children express their feelings in group discussions. As adults benefit largely in group therapy, there is no reason why children should not be able to do the same.Recommendations Despite its many advancements in instrumentation an d awareness, there are still many gray areas in how people can support and help children suffering PTSD. The researcher recommends that that studies be done with the objective of clarifying and further distinguishing PTSD symptoms from other psychological disorders so that those affected may receive the appropriate treatment. The researcher further recommends that programs designed to educate teachers, primary care givers and parents in the impact of PTSD on children as well as the many ways they can help support the childs treatment. Most of the childs time is spent with family and school. It may perhaps speed up attainment of therapy is extended beyond the time they spend with their clinical therapists. There is the observance that adults may feel fear at what they perceive to be untimely signs of violence and aggression. The very fact that this sort of thinking exists stands as confirmation that attention to educating the people in a childs environment with regard to what is natural and not in childrens behavioral patterns must(prenominal) be emphasized. Constant communication between parents and other people their children interact with particularly in the period following a traumatic event may also be helpful in gauging any effects the vent may have had. Children exhibiting changes in behavior must also be carefully observed. As in the case of little Johnny who suddenly developed a fear of elevators, there may just be something behind the changes in a childs behavior. Forcing them to face fears without completely understanding the root of these fears may only cause irreparable damage. These are just a few things that psychologists and behaviorists must educate parents and the other people in close contact with a child possibly suffering from post traumatic stress disorder in.ReferencesAlat, K. (2002). Traumatic Events and Children How azoic Childhood Educators Can Help. Childhood Education, 79(1), 2+. Retrieved November 21, 2007, from Questia datab ase http//www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002498529Foa, E., & Meadows, E. (1997). 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