What is Trauma? Understanding Trauma meaning and Trauma definition

Understanding a Trauma meaning can be overwhelming. So, what is trauma? The trauma definition is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that affects someone’s sense of safety and wellbeing and hinders a person’s ability to function. Many people experience a traumatic event such as moving to a new place, death of a loved one, changes in routine, injury, seeing violence, suffering abuse, neglect, bullying, or natural disasters, but for someone with the difference is their inability to cope. A child becomes “stuck” and relive the trauma over and over again. When a child is no longer able to function, they need to seek the help of mental health of medical professional.

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What are some of the trauma symptoms? You will notice distinct changes in the mood, attitude, and behavior of your child. They will begin to feel unsafe and may have difficulty forming attachments. They may lack impulse control. They have trust issues. They may have difficulty controlling their emotions. They have low self-esteem and even have thoughts of suicide. Your child may become fixated on an event (or events) that caused these changes.

A mental health professional will be able to determine if your child has trauma, what type, and the best way to treat it. Seek help if you feel your child is suffering from trauma as early treatment is recommended and may include medication and therapy. Trauma and recovery IS possible.
Therapy will help your child work through the traumatic event and learn how to cope. While there is no medication to cure trauma, medication can be used to help regulate moods and symptoms. A treatment plan with both is the most effective.

There are various classifications of Trauma.
SPost traumatic stress disorder
Acute stress disorder
Adjustment disorder
Reactive Attachment disorder
Disinhibited Social Engagement disorder
Other specified trauma and stressor related disorder
Unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder

Treatment should be carried out by professionally trained in the field of trauma disorders as treatment approaches may vary. Family involvement is vital as they can monitor progress and can report their observations to the therapist or medical physician. This allows them to determine if treatment is working or if changes need to be made to facilitate trauma healing.

Treatment Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment model for children between the ages of 4-21 and their caregivers who have experienced a significant traumatic event and are experiencing chronic symptoms. It teaches children how to tell their story in a safe and supportive setting. This intervention usually lasts for between five to six months.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT has five components: (1) skills training; (2) individual behavioral treatment plans; (3) access to a therapist outside a clinical setting, homework, and inclusion of family in treatment; (4) structuring of the environment (programmatic emphasis on reinforcement of adaptive behaviors); and (5) therapist team consultation group. DBT emphasizes balancing behavioral change, problem-solving, and emotional regulation with validation, mindfulness, and acceptance. Therapists follow a detailed procedural manual.

Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that uses a structured eight-phase approach to address the past, present, and future aspects of a traumatic or distressing memory stored in the mind of the victim as a dysfunctional memory. The goal of EMDR therapy is to process these distressing memories, reducing their lingering influence, and allowing clients to develop effective coping mechanisms.

The behavior skills on Smarter Parenting teach parents practical ways to help their child work through trauma. Using these skills in conjunction with professionals, will help your child.

Visit the Smarter Parenting website for more information, tips, ideas to help children deal.