Sudden changes in mood, behavior, interests, and well-being of the child may indicate the presence of latent psychological trauma. What changes should parents pay attention to? What is a kind of alarm bell that the child needs some help?
The reasons why a child may experience psychological trauma are extremely varied. Such a condition can cause problems in the family, divorce of parents, moving to another city or country, parting with parents, any catastrophe, for example, an accident or fire, conflicts with teachers at school or with peers, any stressful situation to which the child is not was ready. It is worth noting that psychological trauma can form even when the child was only an outside observer, did not take a direct part in the conflict and was not at the epicenter of the catastrophe.
Post-traumatic disorder in childhood is characterized by psychological problems, psychosomatic disorders. A child can literally change before our eyes. A common manifestation of psychological trauma is regression of varying degrees. It can manifest itself in interests, in the child's games, in his behavior, habits, and so on. What are the signs that should alert parents?
The manifestation of psychological trauma through the somatics
A child experiencing PTSD may begin to complain of different pains that occur in different parts of the body, in different organs. At the same time, as a rule, it is not possible to establish the organic cause of the pain.
In children with psychological trauma, immunity suffers greatly. Because of this, colds, poisoning, infectious / viral diseases become frequent.
Psychosomatic disorders due to psychological trauma are usually manifested by pressure drops, problems in the work of blood vessels and the heart, headaches, nosebleeds, persistent cough or nighttime suffocation, drowsiness, weakness. A child in the post-traumatic period may experience breathing disorders, pulse surges, increased sweating, and nervous tics.
It is not uncommon for psychological trauma to cause sleep problems. The child may start sleeping very badly, complaining that he constantly wakes up in the middle of the night. Sleep can be very shallow, anxious and restless. Children with PTSD are often afraid to go to bed at all due to the fact that they are haunted by nightmares or sleep paralysis.
Other bodily signs include:
- allergic reactions;
- skin diseases that do not have a specific cause for their occurrence;
- constant painful condition, feeling of lightheadedness, malaise;
- dizziness, tinnitus, fog in the head;
- muscle clamps;
- convulsions;
- exacerbation of any existing congenital or chronic pathologies;
- with post-traumatic disorder, attention, memory, concentration, will, and general tone also suffer;
- changes in eating behavior: lack of appetite or constant hunger, digestive problems.
Signs of trauma in the context of the child's behavior and mood
Children with PTSD often lose social attraction. They increasingly tend to spend time either with their parents or alone. They are not very interested in collective games. In addition, the regressive tendency can be observed especially clearly in the choice of toys and games. A child with psychological trauma is often drawn to old toys, to things that usually no longer cause curiosity at his age.
Psychological trauma forces the child to avoid situations that would trigger memories of a terrible / unpleasant event. So, for example, if a child is traumatized by being stuck alone in an elevator, he will cry and panic when they try to take him into the elevator car. As a rule, if circumstances develop in an unfavorable way, if a child in a post-traumatic state nevertheless finds himself in an unwanted environment, he may have a full-fledged panic attack. And then all the symptoms will worsen.
Various behavioral changes are typical of childhood trauma. The child can become very cocky, rude, disobedient and arrogant. Or, on the contrary, turn into a quiet and reserved baby who unquestioningly fulfills all the requests or requirements of the parents.
The key psychological manifestations of psychotrauma include:
- the appearance of numerous fears;
- frequent and sudden mood swings;
- affective outbursts, excessive impulsivity;
- increased sensitivity, tearfulness;
- cowardice, significant anxiety;
- apathy, indifference, alienation;
- irritability, aggression;
- heavy and dark thoughts, a feeling of abandonment;
- a kind of shock that does not go away for a long enough time;
- stereotypes of various kinds;
- lack of fantasy and imagination, which is especially noticeable in the framework of children's play;
- panic fear of being alone in a store, at home, on the street, at a party;
- decrease in any creative activity;
- unwillingness to do anything, study, watch, try;
- learning problems;
- decreased self-esteem, excessive sensitivity to criticism, a tendency to scold oneself for everything, a strong sense of shame.
