People who have experienced such unsafe circumstances are sometimes haunted by the memories for a long time. The images of threatening events are particularly hard to forget. It's common that people feel like this after traumatic events. This guide is here to help you and your children dealing with those experiences.
Such extraordinarily threatening experiences can leave people psychologically injured.
Psychotherapists refer to this condition as trauma, which means “wound”.
It is normal and human to feel this way, but sometimes the memories remain alive. The memories of a terrible event sometimes continue to hurt like a physical wound. Such memories are sometimes unlike any you have ever experienced. When you think about these threatening events, it can be like living through them all over again. Rather than it feeling like something that occurred in the past, it is as though the experience itself returns with the memories. And rather than these memories gradually becoming fainter,they remain strong and vivid – making it difficult to lead a normal life again.It can be a similar experience for your children. Perhaps you have noticed changes in their behaviour. Perhaps your child has become very easily frightened. Perhaps he or she sleeps poorly and is woken by nightmares. Children and teenagers are especially sensitive,and may be particularly shaken by threatening experiences.
Supports from family or closed friends are extremely important for children.
Here are some guides supporting you to find out more information about how to help and how to communicate with your children. It has been arranged by different age group.
Lots of parents put themselves second and think that they will be okay.
Research has shown that a parent’s well being is the strongest indicator
for children recovering well from trauma.
You are the most important person in your child’s recovery.
It is really important that you get the help and support you need, as this will help you support your child.
If the changes in your child’s behaviour remain for weeks and months, or the symptoms continue to be worse, you should seek the help of a specialist – one who is familiar with the mental suffering of children and teenagers.
Here are some facilities that may provide more information about mental health.
