References: Terr, L. C. (1991). Childhood traumas: an outline and overview. Am J Psychiatry, 1, 48.…
“Prominent studies of child abuse and maltreatment point to several unfortunate outcomes for victims as they grow up. Adolescents who were victims of sexual assault are three times more likely to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, be abused again be dependent on drugs and alcohol, or commit delinquent acts compared to adolescents who were not victimized, according to a nationally representative sample.…
In class, we listed several of ways that children can become traumatized, and a few of those ways were the loss of a pet or family member, child abuse, and child neglect. Additionally, in class we watched a movie called Lion and we discussed how the main character was affected by trauma and the different traumas the main character experienced. In class, we also discussed how trauma could lead to different mental illness like depression or anxiety. This article relates to child psychology in numerous ways.…
Childhood trauma impacts adult behavior because of the lack of mature cognitive development which is critical to once ability to manage stress. When a child goes through one or more of the categories that is defined by “adverse childhood experience”, they tend to go through unusual copying mechanism, such as substance abuse, psychiatric problems and other health risk behaviors when adequate supports are unavailable.…
Childhood trauma, including abuse and neglect, is probably the single most important public health challenge in the United States, a challenge that has the potential to be largely resolved by appropnate prevention and intervention (van der Kolk, 2005). Trauma as a child can affect the child’s entire life unknowingly especially if they go untreated. However, this is often the case in today’s society. The results of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), 2* Field Trial suggested that trauma has its most pervasive impact during the first decade of life and becomes more circumscribed (i.e., more like "pure" PTSD) with age (van der Kolk, 2005). Most psychologists agree that the DSM criterion does not effectively describe the trauma and the effects on the developing child. One of the problems the DSM criteria faces is the fact that the complex reaction is based strictly on military soldiers. As a result, the reactions of those involved in combat were likely significantly different from those of immature individuals whose exposure to traumatic stress was ongoing and related to family life (Courtois, 2004). Another difficulty facing clinicians during the assessment process of the child victim is the child’s inability to properly express their emotions. This may be due to their age or it can be the impact of the trauma.…
Department of Health and Human Services (2017) found that in 2015 over 683,000 children were found to be victims of some form of abuse. Of those children, 75.3% experienced neglect, 17.2% experienced physical abuse, and 8.4% were sexually abused with some of children experiencing polyvictimization. Children of caregivers that abused drugs or alcohol, or that were inflicted by domestic violence were at a higher risk for maltreatment. It has been found that four or more adverse experiences during childhood greatly increases the likelihood of disorders such as anxiety, major depression, substance use, and antisocial behavior into adulthood (Tarocchi et al., 2013). Courtois (2008) highlights the characteristics encountered as these children reach…
Some of the determining factors in leading to developmental delays when a child is exposed to trauma are disrupted attachment, impaired social and emotional development, aggressive behavior and increase in health risks. When a child experiences trauma, it’s not uncommon to see other issues and at-risk behaviors exhibited.…
Any person experiencing trauma in their life can have a difficult time managing through it. Those who experience early life trauma can have it possibly lead to depression. “Early life trauma is generally referred to as the traumatic experiences that occur to children aged 0-6. These traumas are situations that threaten the safety of the child or their caregiver. Which can include intentional violence, the result of a natural disaster, accidents, or war. Young children also may experience traumatic stress in response to painful medical procedures or the sudden loss of a parent/caregiver” (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, n.d.). “When children experience negative events in life they try to the cause of the event so that they can attach some…
Dr. Burke discussed some very interesting information about the effects of childhood trauma on not only the child’s brain, but also on their immune system, hormonal system and even the functioning of their DNA. Early exposure to childhood adversity affects many parts of the brain, including the nucleus accumbens that triggers pleasure, the frontal cortex that triggers your impulse control, and the amygdala which triggers fear responses. After reading about a study conducted by another doctor that proved how significantly a child’s health can be compromised, Dr. Burke decided to do something within her practice to help decrease the amount of health problems in children exposed to adversity. By completing a thorough history and physical examination…
4. Four different types of childhood trauma include sexual abuse or assault, physical abuse or assault, neglect and being a witness to domestic violence (National Child Traumatic Stress Network 2008: pp. 1-2). These types of trauma, often a result of one’s environment, are known as adverse childhood experiences or ACEs (Class Notes 2/18/16). ACEs have a biological impact on the brain, disrupting cognitive development and creating problematic ways of thinking that affect juvenile behavior (Class Notes 2/16/16). For example, if a child lives in a violent household or community, he has an increased risk of being affected by some of the ACEs described above. The ACEs he experiences in his environment cause stress that can lead to biological changes…
According to the CDC and Arizona State University childhood trauma has been shown to affect the victim throughout his or her entire life. Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and alone can be traumatic, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm. Childhood trauma is also a major contributor to the development of personality disorders later in life. In particular, borderline personality disorder, complex post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociative identity disorder, and the physiological malformations of the brain that are associated with those disorders. Still today doctors are not trained to routine screening and treatment, but there are many steps we can take…
Childhood trauma effects children worldwide in different ways in regards of their mental status, attention, and memory. There have been astounding amount of evidence in regards of the effects of childhood trauma in regards to impairment in cognition. Children who experience sexual, physical, or psychological abuse research have indicated the child will demonstrate psychiatric symptoms, neurodevelopment deficiencies and physical health consequences (Szanto et al, ). According to Hovens () childhood trauma will put a child at higher risk for depression and anxiety.…
Many traumatic events, such as sexual abuse, bullying, domestic violence or loss of a loved one have pivotal roles in the development of the psyche (dualdiagnosis.org). It is crucial to have a happy, healthy childhood to establish a good foundation for mental stability as an adult. When such scarring situations take place, the effects are typically lasting and, at times, permanently damaging to the brain. In fact, witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event early in life has many consequences, even when they do not appear initially (dualdiagnosis.org). These unfortunate circumstances may result in suffering from disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety (dualdiagnosis.org). Such disorders make them increasingly susceptible to substance abuse. Children often lack the mental ability to overcome these occurrences without the help of a medical professional. Yet, many go without those services and support, leaving them unable to handle their emotions sufficiently. For example, if a child loses a parent and is never fully assisted through the grieving process, it is absolutely reasonable to assume that child is at a greater risk of being an…
When I first think of a childhood injury I think of a child falling down and injuring themselves in some way. But injury goes above and beyond that simple way of thinking. Injury is a comprehensive term, it covers a wide range of health problems each of which have different dynamics and require a different type of intervention (Baker, 1984). Injuries are categorized under 2 basic categories they are either intentional or unintentional. Unintentional injuries often happen by road traffic injuries poisonings, falls, fires and burns, and drownings. Intentional injuries often occur by a family member or partner, an acquaintance, or a stranger. They can also be self-directed or done through a collective violence (WHO, 2008).…
All over the world, children are being abused mentally and physically everyday. It is important that people know the different psychological disorders and symptoms that children have due to the abuse they go through. It is also important as a parent, medical worker, officer, educator, and many others to be able to identify child abuse and the psychological disorders and symptoms in order to help protect that child or children. This paper will provide evidence to answer the question: What are potential psychological disorders and symptoms of children who experienced physical or mental abuse?…