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A traumatic event is an experience that causes physical, emotional, psychological distress, or harm. It is an event that is perceived and experienced as a threat to one's safety or to the stability of one's world.
A traumatic event may involve:
- A move to a new location
- Anxiety
- Death of a friend, family member, or pet
- Divorce
- Fear
- Hospitalization
- Loss of trust
- Pain
- Physical injury or illness
- Separation from parents (perceived abandonment)
- Terrorism or mass disaster
- Violence or war
At the time of a traumatic event, the person experiencing the event might feel numb and, therefore, not know how to respond. Later on, memories of the trauma can bring out feelings of helplessness, fear, even Horror -- like you are reliving the trauma all over again. To try to resolve such feelings and move forward after a trauma, it is helpful to discuss the events and feelings, especially with a child.
After a traumatic event, the person experiencing it needs time, support, and a sense of safety to re-establish trust. Experiences that have traumatized a person will usually cause anxiety. In children, signs of anxiety might include an increased need for physical and emotional closeness, fear of separation, difficulties sleeping, loss of appetite, bedwetting, or changes in interactions with others.
Many events are experienced by children as traumatic. In fact, many adults do not realize that seemingly harmless events may be very traumatic for a child. For example, a child with a broken arm may assume that his arm cannot be fixed, yet adults may have no way of knowing that the child is even imagining such a thing.
Parents can reduce the negative emotional responses to potentially traumatic events by preparing the child. Discussions, visits, pictures, videos, and play are activities that can introduce the upcoming experience to the child. Health care professionals are a good source of information regarding events that may be traumatic for the child, such as receiving injections (shots), or other experiences that are new, painful, or frightening.
Children may need the opportunity to talk about traumatic experiences and related emotions with their parents. They should be encouraged to do so, if they wish. Children who have witnessed traumatic events may misbehave, cry, or appear sad. If the child shows persistent behavior changes, the family should consult a mental health specialist.
See: Post-traumatic stress disorder
ReferencesLevetown M. Communicating with children and families: from everyday interactions to skill in conveying distressing information. Pediatrics. 2008;121:e1441-e1460.
What else can I help you with?
How may post-traumatic stress disorder by prevented?
Controlling exposure to traumatic events through safety measures, psychological preparation for individuals who will be exposed to traumatic events (front-line workers), and stress inoculation training.
How do you use traumatic in sentences?
Since traumatic is an adjective you use it as a way to describe things, mostly events.
What actors and actresses appeared in Recovering from Traumatic Events - 2001?
The cast of Recovering from Traumatic Events - 2001 includes: Peg Christopher as herself Chalsa Loo as herself Frank Ochberg as himself
What are some examples of traumatic events?
A traumatic event can be traumatic for various reasons and many people disagree on what is traumatic and what is not. Whether an event is traumatic or not, will depend on the individual. But for many people, natural disasters are very traumatic because of the loss of property, wealth, and life. Other people agree that car accidents are very traumatic because of the possibility of death, severe injury, or paralysis. Other people experience trauma as a result of rape, molestation, or domestic violence. Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) is also traumatic. For many parents, families, and caregivers, trauma can result from caring for the severe mental illness of a loved one. For example, schizophrenia or severe bipolar disorder can be very traumatizing to family members. It is difficult to understand the person's delusion, hallucinations, increased levels of energy, or changing moods or thought processes. The list of traumatic events are extensive. The key here is remembering that traumatic events can be different for everyone. What you might think is traumatic may not be traumatic to the next person.
What are some examples of events?
A traumatic event can be traumatic for various reasons and many people disagree on what is traumatic and what is not. Whether an event is traumatic or not, will depend on the individual. But for many people, natural disasters are very traumatic because of the loss of property, wealth, and life. Other people agree that car accidents are very traumatic because of the possibility of death, severe injury, or paralysis. Other people experience trauma as a result of rape, molestation, or domestic violence. Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) is also traumatic. For many parents, families, and caregivers, trauma can result from caring for the severe mental illness of a loved one. For example, schizophrenia or severe Bipolar disorder can be very traumatizing to family members. It is difficult to understand the person's delusion, hallucinations, increased levels of energy, or changing moods or thought processes. The list of traumatic events are extensive. The key here is remembering that traumatic events can be different for everyone. What you might think is traumatic may not be traumatic to the next person.
What events can result in traumatic brain injury?
- Significant impact to the head - Rapid acelleration/deceleration of the head
How do traumatic childhood events shape adults?
Traumatic childhood events can have serious effects on people throughout their lives. They may be poorly adjusted adults, experience anxiety or depression, or have even more serious mental health issues.
What events may occur after traumatic brain injury?
Significant impact to the head AND Rapid acceleration/deceleration of the head
Why would a person utilize dissociation?
This is a condition in which people loose their memory, awareness, or identity. A person might become dissociated as a defense mechanism. It is something that the brain does to protect itself from a traumatic event. Events that might cause this are a parent or child passing away, being beaten, or other traumatic events.
What causes traumatic events that leads to quest toward simba in lion king?
The biggest, most traumatic event that eventually leads Simba toward the quest to become king in The Lion King is witnessing his father's death.
What triggers anxiety?
Traumatic or upsetting events, though people with an anxiety disorder may have anxiety attacks for no apparent reason.
Can traumatic events cause schizophrenia?
Yes, trauma can cause schizophrenia. There are plently of articles online, if you would like to know more about this.
