Sometimes it can be difficult to recognize when a child has experienced trauma, so it can help to read different perspectives on the matter. Here is a roundup of six informative articles to help you better understand childhood trauma and how to help your child if they’ve undergone a psychologically upsetting incident.
How Childhood Trauma Could Be Mistaken for ADHD
This Atlantic article by Rebecca Ruiz is about how the normal effects of childhood trauma could cause a child or teen to be misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Ruiz reports on the many children who were diagnosed with ADHD and how they didn’t respond to treatment and medication. Upon further investigation, it was found that their behavioral symptoms weren’t caused by ADHD but were instead side effects of adversity that had taken place in early childhood. Identifying children who have suffered trauma correctly can make all the difference in their recovery.
Protecting Children From Toxic Stress
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In a New York Times article, David Bornstein explores the topic of toxic stress and how it can affect children as they transition into adulthood. Specifically, Bornstein looks at how toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences can increase the risk of smoking, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, domestic abuse and suicide. The article also includes recommendations on how to help people who have experienced toxic stress.
How Childhood Trauma Can Cause Adult Obesity
Maia Szalavitz’s Time article delves into the relationship between health disorders in adults and the occurrence of trauma in their childhoods. Szalavitz offers reasons why many afflicted children become obese adults (based on findings from scientific studies) and why it’s important for people who have experienced trauma to work through their pain in therapy.
The Lingering Trauma of Child Abuse
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Psychology Today writer Susanne Babbel writes about how the trauma that children experience when they are abused affects them all throughout life. Babbel specifically focuses on how traumatized children can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and how this issue can lead to serious problems later in adulthood.
Can We Stop a Traumatized Child From Becoming a Traumatized Adult?
For Forbes, Robert Pearl wrote an article that covers the results of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, which analyzed how traumatic experiences affect children as they grow up. Pearl also provides suggestions on what can be done to prevent childhood trauma.
Somebody Stood Up for Me: We Can Reverse the Effects of Childhood Trauma
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Esta Soler’s article for the Huffington Post examines what is being done at the legislative level to help people who have experienced childhood trauma. Soler writes that providing support to those who have experienced trauma—whether it’s at home, school or the local community center—is the best way to help them persevere.
If you believe your child has suffered a traumatic experience, you can prevent any long-term effects by seeking professional help.
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