Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children Essay

Abstract denounce Traumatic underscore discommode affects not only adults but similarly youngsterren. in that respect be four major ways by which woundtic events may affect the psychological state of electric shaverren cognitively, emotively, portally and psychosomatically. There are questions as to the adequateness of the instrumentation used in determining and measuring of the disorder. Studies also show that the fear experienced by adults in seeing signs of aggression in children may be affecting adversely affecting the accomplishable therapeutic benefits of normal childs play and physical activity. There may be a need for programs specifically geared toward educating parents and primary care givers of children suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder in how to handle and deal with the childs disorder and psychological needs.Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children as a Result of Violence, Crime and WarIt is not unusual for most adults, particularly those who are parents, to appreciation poisonous things away from children. As much as possible, childhood should remain a magazine of innocence and joy without the responsibility or care for matters that dogfight the world. But what if it just fecesnot be avoided and bad things happen to children? In the subsequentlymath of unhappy events, how do children display trauma and what are the things that battalion should know in dealing with children suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder? For example, the September 11, 2001 terror attacks left skunk families and children who have lost moms and dads in that instant. Even adults and children who were indirectly affected by the attacks have grown to suffer knowings of anxiety and shattered security in their personal and familial safety (Smith & Reyn greys, 2002).Besides the inevitable feelings of grief, children especially were left behind and often contend with nightmares and morbid pictures of the traumatic deaths their loved ones expe rienced as well as the stress and obstacle of trying to picture lives without mom or dad. It is also important to remember that the effects 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 legal residence not only news of the attacks but also vivid pictures and descriptions of the tragedy and all its violence.The case of a 7-year old boy named Johnny is cited in the orbit (2002) by Smith and Reynolds. Following the 9/11 attacks, Johnny developed 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 therapist that his fear of elevator stemmed from a story he heard of how people in the Twin Towers were trapped and killed while riding in the elevators. (Smith & Reynolds, 2002) Neither Johnny nor his family were directly inv olved or affected in the terror attack.The mental and emotional strain suffered by survivors and those affected by this very(prenominal) high profile event led to the American Psychiatric Associations setting up of counseling services focusing on grief, acute stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Smith & Reynolds, 2002).What is PTSD? Originally associated with survivors and veterans of the Vietnam War, PTSD refers to an impairment of an individuals capability 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 definition of traumatic exposure as the person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physi cal integrity of self or other(a)s, 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, numbing, disruptions in thoughts and cognition, decelerate response and reaction, strong feelings of anxiety, persistence of nightmares and difficulties in dealing with and solving problems. (Foa & Meadows, 1997)Saylor and Swenson, et.al state that before the late 80s at that place was minimal attention habituated to how children were affected by traumatic events. It took two powerful hurricanes, one devastating earthquake and the bombing of the Oklahoma Center before it was realized that there were very microscopic preparedness in ministering to the psychological needs of traumatized children (Saylor, Swenson, Reynolds & Taylor, 1999, p. 70).In 1999, psychologist Barbara L owenthal pegged the number of children in America being exposed to traumatic events each year at four million. These traumatic events include physical, sexual and emotional abuse neglect accidents severe injuries and natural disasters. Lowenthal also says that these children are at a high riskiness 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 Disorder (NCPTSD, 2001) reports that there is a higher likelihood of psychological 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 to develop difficulties in forming relationships, cognition and learning, as well as a numbing that may make affecte d children experience difficulty in understanding and expressing their feelings in addition to regulating their emotions. This often leads to provocative behaviors and shunning of intimacy. (Lowenthal, 1999).In his article in the daybook of Multi-cultural advocate 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 mingled with 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 school. At age 14, Stephen was taken by his father to the frontlines and be trained in combat to fight with the Serbian army. The next two old age wold take Stephen all over the Balkans and would expose him to all kinds of privation and war atrocities.Eventually migrating as political refugees in the United States, in 1999, Stephen demonstrated difficulty in acculturation and adjustment. The constant displacement he experienced in war along with the mistrust bred by his past 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 experience of a lack 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 deep-seated hatred for the Muslims and believes the Middle East should be wiped off the looking of the Earth (Roysircar, 2004). This kind of behavior can very well be tempered as expected according to an study published in the Australian Journal of archeozoic Childhood in 2000. The researchers posit that in war-torn times, chil dren are forced to adjust out of necessity for survival. This experience develops the idea 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).According to Vazquez there are many conditions that fit the general description of PTSD. There are however differences in depth, complexity and intensity that require appropriate 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 idle 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 child who is exposed to or experiences trauma develops PTSD. Since the 1980s there has been marked growth in the development of instrumentation in the measurement and treatment of PTSD in children. These assessment methods designed for children of different age groups 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 responsible for the traumatic events occurrence. There may also be confusion, academic and developmental problems, lowered IQ and diminished abilities in language and communication.In its affective effects, children with PTSD be uprise emotionally fragile and are given to fits of outburst and anger. They develop low thresholds for stress and fear. They become nervous, compulsive and often feel a sense of futility.Behaviors can also become extreme. Affected ch ildren may become either very loud or very shy. It is not unusual for children to retrovert to juvenile behavior such as thumb sucking or regression in academic knowledge. They may also develop self-destructive behavior and become vulnerable 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, psychologist, counselor or therapist is the treatment for persons diagnosed with PTSD. The methods employed however, may vary according to the malignity 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 based therapies (Alat, 2002). This particular therapy however has encountered difficulties particularly after the 9/11 attacks and the idea that aggression addressed in the earlier stages will stave off future violent behavior.For example, a child who builds a tower of blocks and flies an airplane into them may be viewed as at-risk for future violence. This childs behavior, in fact, may be a healthy and developmentally appropriate way to gain mastery over the childs fears, anger, and confusion 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 childre n be within 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 come along 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. duration Lowenthal (1999), Alat (2002) and other psychologists have managed to simplify such symptoms in four main categories, it is also stated in most studies that childhood trauma does not ineluctably result in PTSD. There is still a question as to how the average lay person may be able to distinguish in the midst of delayed PTSD and natural defiance and common anxiety.The researcher also noticed that se veral 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 possibly happen could seriously hinder the coping utensil of children and therefore cause more harm than good. Logic dictates that feelings left unexpressed often come out one way or another.Alat also makes a good suggestion in encouraging 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 and awareness, there are still many colorize areas in how people can support and help children suffering PTSD. The researcher recommends that f urther 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 progress of therapy is extended beyond the time they spend with their clinical therapists. There is the observation that adults may feel fear at what they perceive to be early signs of violence and aggression. The very fact that this sort of thinking exists stands as proof that attention to educating the people in a childs environment with regard to what is natural and not in childrens behavioral patterns must 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 Early Childhood Educators potful Help. Childhood Education, 79(1), 2+. Retrieved November 21, 2007, from Questia database http//www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002498529Foa, E., & Meadows, E. (1997). 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