How to deal with a child who has been traumatised

A traumatised child can be helped through social support and psychological interventions. — Positive Parenting

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many people lost family and friends.

Quite a number of children became orphans after losing one or both parents.

Experiencing tragedies like this or witnessing critical incidents can leave a psychological scar in kids.

Childhood trauma happens when a child experiences or witnesses events that are perceived to threaten injury, death, or the physical integrity of self or others, and also cause horror, terror or helplessness at the time they occur.

These events are also referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Potential causes of childhood trauma include:

• Sexual abuse
• Physical abuse
• Domestic violence
• Community and school violence
• Medical trauma or illness
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Acts of terrorism
• War experiences
• Natural and human-made disasters
• Suicides
• Other traumatic losses.

Losing a loved one or being hospitalised due to the pandemic can also be considered as ACEs.

Children suffering from trauma may exhibit these signs of distress:

• Development of new fears
• Separation anxiety (particularly in young children)
• Sleep difficulties and disturbances
• Prolonged and unusual sadness
• Loss of interest in normal activities
• Reduced concentration
• Decline in schoolwork
• Anger outbursts
• Significant bodily discomfort (e.g. headaches and stomach aches)
• Irritability.

We can help these children via social support from their families/caregivers, as well as though psychological intervention.

Social support can come in the form of:

• Encouraging the child to express their feelings and acknowledge their emotions.
• Reassuring them that they are not at fault and that you’ll prioritise their safety.
• Answering their questions regarding the event honestly, but also being sensitive to their feelings.
• Facilitating a daily routine for the child as this provides a better sense of certainty and control.
• Understanding that each child recovers at their own pace.

Meanwhile, psychological intervention can come in the form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), play therapy, family therapy and medication, if necessary.

After adverse incidents, pay attention to signs of distress in children and get them professional help.

Unaddressed trauma and prolonged stress can lead to long-term impacts, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental and physical health problems, as well as difficulties in overall development, learning and relationships.

Professor Dr Alvin Ng is a clinical psychologist and Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology founding president. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.