Welcome to Session Four of The Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care. In this session, we continue the discussion of Essential Skill #1- Understanding the Impact of trauma.
Next, let’s look at how trauma affects our physical health, both immediate and long-term. We’ve already learned that at least 60% of diseases and disorders have their roots in toxic, chronic stress. Why? Because traumatic stress has kept the cortisol levels too high for too long, affecting kids' bodies by breaking down the immune systems, slowing growth, disrupting sleep patterns, and causing digestive issues. One category of events called Adverse Childhood Experiences has been researched thoroughly and shown an undeniable connection between childhood adversity and chronic health problems. In fact, the Center for Disease Control reports that preventing ACEs could also prevent 1.9 million cases of heart disease and 21 million cases of depression in the US. You have a copy of the ACE survey in your handouts for your use.
We give children and adolescents new positive words and new positive experiences. Even if you only work with kids one or two hours a week, you can make a difference.
Finally, trauma impacts the way we behave. We’ve talked about the developmental impact that trauma has on executive functioning resulting in behaviors like impulsivity or inflexibility, but there are many other behaviors we may see that have their root in fear. Adults often see these behaviors as willful disobedience instead of survival behavior, and because of that, adults may be triggered into reacting rather than responding. Fear causes children and adolescents to respond with fight, flight, or freeze. Fear causes a child to be unable to discern their needs. Next, fear suppresses the conscience. When we are stuck in the fear brain, we’re in survival mode, and survival means focusing on me right now. In fact, research has suggested that when we’re in survival mode or fear brain, we are really only thinking about the next 15 seconds. That doesn’t allow me to consider your needs and certainly not consider them more important than mine. Imagine how that looks in real life – an adolescent stuck in a fearful brain feels that someone has verbally threatened them at school. They have a choice – react right now, maybe strike back verbally or physically and have detention later, or don’t react to the threat and don’t have a consequence later. What choice do you imagine is made? The one that matters Right Now – defend myself. The future consequence is not as important as survival right now. This is one reason we might stress eat food that is terrible for our health. Later, my health will suffer, but what is essential is relief. Right Now, these next 15 seconds. Next, Fear shuts off thinking because, in the fear brain, active blood flow is in the lower area focusing on survival, not up in the cortex where thinking happens. Fear suppresses a child’s voice. And lastly, fear causes children to set up protective strategies. These strategies are the survival behaviors that children and adolescents have learned to use to meet their needs. Remember, early life experiences have taught them that they can’t count on a safe adult, and if they believe they can’t rely on an adult to meet their needs, they have to depend on themselves. And if they can’t use their voice to get their needs met, they have to use behavior instead. These six protective strategies are examples that kids often use - #1) manipulation – how can I work this system or these people’s emotions to get what I need, #2) triangulation – how can I pull two other people into my issue so that I can deflect the tension from myself, #3) lying – I can’t be honest, or I will be exposed or in trouble, #4) verbal aggression – many children know what it is to feel afraid and controlled by unkind or threatening words and they will use this same technique to get what they need, #5) physical violence – if you don’t give me what I need, I’ll just use violence and take it, and #6) control – kids from trauma desperately want to be in control so that they can feel safe.
I want to end with good news. The brain and body can heal and grow throughout life.
