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How to distinguish signs of trauma in children during COVID-19

How to distinguish signs of trauma in children during COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has been challenging for parents and children in large and small ways, but for a smaller group of children it has not been simply difficult, but traumatic.

Children in the United States or abroad are experiencing traumatic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the pandemic. But experts say there is reason to believe both are on the rise as millions of families have lost loved ones, lost jobs and faced constant fear.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is an unusual and unexpected event," said Adam D. Brown, Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone.

Fear, anxiety and trauma are not all the same.

When trying to assess how your child is coping emotionally, it is helpful to keep in mind the often subtle changes in anxiety and depression versus trauma. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, the experiences of trauma and traumatic stress are all related, but are not necessarily the same as anxiety and depression.

Children may be experiencing fear and anxiety or depression during the pandemic that is not necessarily the same as traumatic stress.

"COVID in itself is not a trauma," explained Melissa Brymer, of UCLA-Duke University National Center for Childhood Traumatic Stress.

"It is causing a lot of stress and frustration for many of us, but not all children are experiencing a trauma," she adds.

After all, it is up to the mental health professionals to make these important distinctions. The role of parents and carers is to look for signs that the children are having a hard time coping, so they can provide support and help connect them to external sources as needed.

Parents should consider: What traumatic circumstances did my child face?

One way for mental health experts to determine if a child is struggling with traumatic stress is to consider the specific events or stressors they have experienced.

Children whose families have experienced significant economic hardship as a result of the pandemic may be at greater risk for trauma, especially if this has led to major changes in their environment or living conditions.

Experts also worry about children who have encountered multiple stressors. Maybe they have lost a loved one, their parent has lost a job, they will not go to school and live in a part of the country that has been affected by a disaster, like fires.

"We know those experiences have caused additional trauma for children," Brymer said.

Kjo nuk do të thotë që vetëm fëmijët që kanë përjetuar një ose më shumë trauma të mëdha po kalojnë një kohë veçanërisht të vështirë për t'u përballur tani, por ata fëmijë sigurisht që janë në rrezik më të lartë për rezultate serioze të shëndetit mendor.

Në përgjithësi, ekspertët e shëndetit mendor thonë se në çdo kohë që do të vini re ndryshime në sjelljen e fëmijës suaj, të cilat pengojnë aftësinë e tyre për të funksionuar, është një flamur i kuq, pavarësisht nëse ai flamur sinjalizon se kanë të bëjnë me stresin traumatik apo diçka tjetër tjetër.

"Ne duam të monitorojmë nivelet depresive dhe ankthin e fëmijëve. Disa fëmijë janë përshtatur mirë ... por disa jo”, tha Brymer. "Ata po ndihen të izoluar, të shkëputur, të tërhequr".

Experts also urge parents to talk to their children, adding that this is very important.

"Ask them what they think about the pandemic and be honest with them about how you feel so they know they are not alone," Brymer concludes.