![]() Noticing and being curious about these behaviors is the first step to understanding the problem - and understanding is an essential step in finding the most effective intervention. This is called a “hostile attribution bias.” This means that neutral interactions may be interpreted as hostile, leading to anger and being ready to fight back at any moment. Having constant difficulty problem solving can be very frustrating and emotionally overwhelming.Ĭhildren who have experienced chronic trauma may learn to believe that everyone is out to get them. Trauma in the form of abuse or neglect can lead to an underdevelopment of self-regulation capacities and difficulty processing sensory inputs.Ĭhildren with an overactive fight or flight system also experience a reduced activation of the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of our brain that thinks through problems. This can look like restlessness.ĭaydreaming, non-compliance, or “not listening”ĭissociation is a common freeze response the brain uses to avoid trauma memories or reminders.Ī quick “survival” reaction to an intrusive trauma memory or trauma reminder may look like impulsivity.Ĭhildren learn to calm and soothe themselves through the help of their caregivers. Traumatic Stress Reaction:ĭifficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, or being easily distractedīeing constantly on the lookout for possible danger can make it difficult to pay attention to the teacher or focus on completing an assignment.Ī chronically activated fight/flight system can make a child jumpy or easily startled by noise, movement, or trauma reminders. See below for a list of commonly misattributed trauma-related emotional or behavioral problems. Commonly Misunderstood Trauma-Related Problems Research shows that children with a history of trauma show more oppositional behaviors than children without exposure to trauma, and children who have experienced four or more adverse childhood events are 3x more likely to use ADHD medication than non-trauma exposed children. However, both of these children could also fit the description of a child with traumatic stress. Similarly, if a child in your classroom is aggressive, throws frequent temper tantrums, often seems angry or annoyed, it may seem like a diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is warranted. These problems look a lot like the genetically influenced Neurobiological Developmental Disorder known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Take, for example, a child who is easily distracted in class, often forgets instructions, wanders around the classroom when he is supposed to be in his seat, and is fidgety throughout the day. ![]() And, because trauma is often not disclosed, these behaviors or often misattributed to other causes by well-intending caregivers, teachers, doctors, and mental health professionals. Without knowing the “root” of these reactions, these behaviors can be confusing, scary, and very frustrating. Other children may be quick to anger and have frequent aggressive episodes. Other children may tend toward frequently shutting down or freezing, kind of like a turtle going into its shell. Some children may be constantly “on the lookout” and hypervigilant to perceived danger. neglect), the child’s current environment, and their biological temperament. This can look different from one child to another, depending on the nature of the trauma (for example, sexual abuse vs. When a child experiences chronic or repeated trauma, the nervous system becomes chronically activated, and the “fight, flight, or freeze” response is constantly being activated, even when there is no threat or danger. When we encounter danger, our body goes into a “fight, flight, or freeze” state, which is designed to help us survive. Human brains are wired for self-protection. Why Traumatic Stress Is Commonly Misunderstood Childhood trauma is one root cause that is notorious for being missed. And similar to a sore throat, if the root cause is missed, the recommended intervention may not be effective. ![]() ![]() One symptom can have different root causes. The same principle holds true when thinking about emotional and behavioral problems as well. A throat lozenge won’t cure strep throat, and an antibiotic won’t treat allergies. Knowing the cause of your sore throat is helpful, because the most effective treatment will be quite different depending on the cause. Or, maybe it is springtime and your seasonal allergies are acting up. Hopefully, those questions will give the doctor an understanding of the “root cause” of your sore throat.įor example, perhaps you were singing loudly at a concert the night before. You go to the doctor, and they give you a physical exam and ask you some questions. Let’s say you wake up one morning with a sore throat. ![]()
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