Traumatized Children May Still Continue to Perform Better in School and Look Normal

A clinical psychologist revealed in her book the symptoms of children trauma and ways on how the parents can spot these symptoms. According to the book, traumatized children look normal and perform better in school.

Children Look Normal After Trauma

Clinical psychologist Dr. Melissa Goldberg-Mintz wrote the book Has Your Child Been Traumatized? She claimed in an interview with Newsweek that she wrote the book for those parents in order to provide them with some direction and comfort while raising a traumatized child.

She claimed that, a few times a year, she would encounter a child whose parents would be surprised to find that their child had experienced trauma since everything appeared to be going along normally. Their child was still getting straight As, excelling in sports, and enjoying time with friends. She continued that this occurs most commonly when a child feels ashamed of their experience. Because of their efforts to appear as though everything is alright, their symptoms may go unnoticed.

"Most frequently, I've seen it with sexual abuse," she said. Other sorts of trauma may be simpler for children to discuss. However, since sexual abuse victims usually experience shame, this may prevent children from feeling comfortable enough to express their distress.

What Is Trauma?

Goldberg-Mintz said that many people have an inaccurate understanding of what trauma actually is. She said that trauma is a reaction to an unfavorable experience, not the adverse event itself.

She claimed that people's misconceptions of trauma are actually bad events. But trauma is how a person's body reacts when there isn't a normal recovery. It can be caused by things like a vehicle accident, abuse or neglect, or a natural disaster. She went on to remark that two people can be subjected to the same occurrence, such as two children being in a car accident, and one of them may experience trauma while the other may not.

"I'd say it's all relative. What we define as small might not feel small to someone else," Goldberg-Mintz said. One of the most straightforward examples, according to the psychologist, is bullying.

Children may find name-calling and teasing to be merely irritating. However, some people might be devastated by these insults and might feel scared to come into contact with a bully.

Watch out for Change from Baseline

Parents can identify the trauma by observing any deviation from the norm. For instance, if a child who often sleeps well now resists going to bed or has trouble falling asleep, that may be a symptom of trauma. Another deviation from baseline is when a child declares, "I'm not hungry" while consuming three healthy meals each day.

The symptoms of trauma might change with age as well. Clinginess, separation anxiety, or even behavioral regression, like peeing the bed, can be warning flags in younger children even when they have long since mastered using the toilet properly. Impulsivity can be a problem with older children and teenagers, leading to high-risk sexual practices, drug abuse, and self-harm.

Additionally, there are signs of intrusive re-experiencing symptoms, such as nightmares and unfavorable memories. Finally, there are arousal symptoms, such as jitteriness, hypervigilance, trouble concentrating, or other unfavorable emotions like fear, anger, embarrassment, or guilt.

ALSO READ: Traumatic Events: Why Do We Forget Painful Memories?

Helping Child To Cope With Trauma

The psychologist advised that in order for the child to recover, it can be essential to give them enough support, make them feel protected, and explain that they shouldn't hold themselves responsible for things that are beyond their control.

According to Texas Children's Hospital, talking to the child in an open, honest, and non-judgmental manner will help the child to speak freely. It is also important to let the children know that you suport them unconditionally.

Therapy is another solution to help traumatized children, according to Kid's Health. They get the ability to talk about their experiences in therapy. Therapy aids children in developing their own courage and self-assurance.

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