According to research on the topic and the CDC, Adverse Childhood Traumatic events (ACEs) may include:
1) Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse;
2) Emotional and physical neglect;
3) Living with a family member with mental health or substance use disorders;
4) Witnessing domestic violence;
5) Sudden separation from a loved one;
6) Poverty;
7) Racism and discrimination; and
8) Violence in the community.
The ACE Study looked at the effect of childhood abuse and neglect on adult and asked more than 17,000 adults about their childhood experiences and current health status and behaviors. Other studies have also linked adverse experiences like racism, oppression, intergenerational trauma, and community violence with long-term health problems. It's thought that cortisol levels are impaired (either too high in acute stress, or persistently low with chronic stress) leading to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and chronic medical illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Trauma can alter DNA and is transmitted to future generations leading to a phenomenon called Intergenerational Trauma. It's estimated that at least 25% or adults experienced trauma and certain groups are more likely to experience childhood trauma and more vulnerable to trauma such as Blacks, Latinos, and the LGBTQ+ communities.
The good news is that good parental attachment and supportive family can mitigate trauma in childhood and adolescence. For example, a child whose has a parent who is nurturing and emotionally available can help a child struggling with the absence of another parent (eg. military deployment, prison, death).
It's also critical that children and adolescents experiencing trauma have structure to develop resilience to stressors like trauma. What does that mean? It means having predictable routines and schedules. Having a reliable and predictable parent is especially critical to do this well and consistently, so it's key to both acknowledge and cope with your own feelings as a parent/caregiver. It's like putting on your oxygen mask on first before the child's during an airplane emergency. If you're passed out on a plane then you're of little help for your child; likewise in times of stress.
Other strategies to encourage resilience are:
Ensuring that your child feels safe;
Encouraging a sense of belonging and connection to family, friends, school, and community;
Helping children identify and regulate their emotions;
Teaching coping skills (eg. abdominal and mindfulness),
Helping children identify and acknowledge their feelings;
Supporting children in developing problem solving skills;
Praising children for their efforts in developing resilience; and,
Emphasizing predictable routines and schedules.
If you find yourself dealing with trauma and/or its consequences, I can offer the help you need tailored for your symptoms. My unique Ivy League education and training in psychiatry, pediatrics, preventive medicine and public health means that I take an integrative life cycle and developmental approach. Importantly, I use attachment theory and a bio-psychosocial lens in the diagnosis and treatment of trauma. In addition to holistic psychiatric approaches, I offer Trauma-focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Please see the reference below for more information on the topic.
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