Many of us might have heard of the word “TRAUMA” before; and yet, I don’t think it’s everyone who really understands what trauma is.
In view of that, today as I begin my series on Trauma, I would like to share with you “What Trauma is All About”.
I trust today’s article/post will be of great help to you, your students /children, and even to your loved ones. Don’t hesitate to use the knowledge you acquire by reading this article to help someone. Enjoy the Reading…
WHAT IS TRAUMA ALL ABOUT?
Basically, Trauma occurs when a person is OVERWHELMED by something beyond their control.
Ordinarily, Trauma is a normal human response to abnormal events.
Trauma is the brain's response to an overwhelming and abnormal event that is beyond its control.
Trauma refers to an overwhelming, unanticipated danger or event that cannot be mediated or processed by the individual.
Trauma RESPONSE is actually the brain in Survival Mood.
This implies that Traumatic events are a direct threat to a person’s well-being.
Quite apart from this general understanding of Trauma, we also have to understand that there are two (2) major types of Trauma. They are:
Simple Trauma (Type 1)
Complex Trauma (Type 2)
Simple Trauma
Simple Trauma involves a time-limited, but awful or unpleasant event that usually involves intense emotions and a period of suffering. Such events could involve:
the death of a loved one
being in a car accident
parents separating or divorcing (especially in the case of children or young people)
I’m sure you can think of other undesirable events that you or your loved ones might have experienced that can fit the definition of simple trauma. It happens to us all!
Complex Trauma
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) provides a very helpful definition of complex trauma:
Firstly, Complex Trauma involves early exposure to ongoing and repeated traumatic experience that includes factors such as physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, significant neglect, and/or violence.
This type of trauma is interpersonal. That means that the source of the child’s trauma is a person or persons who should be there to care for, nurture and protect them, but who are instead the source of their terror or harm.
Secondly, Complex Trauma involves the wide-ranging and long-term impact of this traumatic experience. This is very important to keep in mind, especially for those of you who work with children within school settings, children’s homes, children’s ministries, youth ministries /groups, or in any other setting.
This longer-term impact often becomes evident during the school years and can make working with these children and adolescents quite complex and challenging.
In extreme cases, this is a particular concern for students (children and adolescents) who are receiving child protection services, and who have experienced a number of unsuccessful out-of-home care placements in foster, kinship, or residential care.
What Next?
Having received this basic knowledge about what Trauma is all about, the question then becomes: “How beneficial is this newly acquired knowledge to you, as a person, parent or child worker/teacher?” or better still, “How should you use this knowledge and understanding to your own benefit and the benefit of others, in general?”
These issues together with others, such as “Causes of Trauma”, and the “Impact of Trauma on person and those around him/her” will all be thoroughly discussed in my subsequent articles or posts.
If you or someone you know is struggling with Trauma (especially complex trauma) and you feel you would need the help of a professional, then kindly call 0551428486.
(MATTHEW 11:28-30)-ESV
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Childhood trauma is not necessarily a prophecy of doom, because some children are resilient or because later experiences help to restore mental health.”
AUTHOR:
PRINCE OFFEI (PSY)
Psychotherapist & Psychologist
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#Childhood Trauma
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