About Trauma

A traumatic event is a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or bodily integrity. Witnessing a traumatic event that threatens life or physical security of a loved one can also be traumatic. This is particularly important for young children as their sense of safety depends on the perceived safety of their attachment figures.

Traumatic experiences can initiate strong emotions and physical reactions that can persist long after the event. Children may feel terror, helplessness, or fear, as well as physiological reactions such as heart pounding, vomiting, or loss of bowel or bladder control. Children who experience an inability to protect themselves or who lacked protection from others to avoid the consequences of the traumatic experience may also feel overwhelmed by the intensity of physical and emotional responses.

Even though adults work hard to keep children safe, dangerous events still happen. This danger can come from outside of the family (such as a natural disaster, car accident, school shooting, or community violence) or from within the family, such as domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or the unexpected death of a loved one.

Evidence-based trauma therapy has been proven to help children cope with symptoms of traumatic stress. When seeking therapy for a child who has experienced a traumatic event, ask if the therapist has received training in an evidence-based therapy, such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, TARGET (Trauma Affect Regulation Guide for Education and Therapy), or ARC (Attachment, Regulation and Competency).

Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network