"Pain and sadness are homeless beggars in my life, displaced feelings that come and go, plopping down for their own reasons, sleeping in any corner of my brain. They wear at me with a constant tiredness that I have to chase out.
"Sometimes, though, a trigger pulls inside me, and the pain goes off, getting bad. It isn't like I know all the triggers, but school newness is a definite."
- Clinton, Cathryn. The Eyes of Van Gogh.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Strategies for Coping With Panic
1. Remember that although your feelings and symptoms are very frightening, they are not dangerous or harmful.
2. Understand that what you are experiencing is just an exaggeration of your normal bodily reactions to stress.
3. Do not fight your feelings or try to wish them away. The more you are willing to face them, the less intense they will become.
4. Do not add to your panic by thinking about what "might" happen. If you find yourself asking "What if?" tell yourself "So what!"
5. Stay in the present. Notice what is really happening to you as opposed to what you think might happen.
6. Label your fear level from zero to ten and watch it go up and down. Notice that it does not stay at a very high level for more than a few seconds.
7. When you find yourself thinking about the fear, change your "what if" thinking. Focus on and carry out a simple and manageable task such as counting backward from from 100 by 3's or snapping a rubber band on your wrist.
8. Notice that when you stop adding frightening thoughts to your fear, it begins to fade.
9. When the fear comes, expect and accept it. Wait and give it time to pass without running away from it.
10. Be proud of yourself for your progress thus far, and think about how good you will feel when you succeed this time.
Source:
Jerilyn Ross, M.A., L.I.C.S.W., The Ross Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Disorders, Inc., Washington, DC. Adapted from Mathews et al., 1981.
2. Understand that what you are experiencing is just an exaggeration of your normal bodily reactions to stress.
3. Do not fight your feelings or try to wish them away. The more you are willing to face them, the less intense they will become.
4. Do not add to your panic by thinking about what "might" happen. If you find yourself asking "What if?" tell yourself "So what!"
5. Stay in the present. Notice what is really happening to you as opposed to what you think might happen.
6. Label your fear level from zero to ten and watch it go up and down. Notice that it does not stay at a very high level for more than a few seconds.
7. When you find yourself thinking about the fear, change your "what if" thinking. Focus on and carry out a simple and manageable task such as counting backward from from 100 by 3's or snapping a rubber band on your wrist.
8. Notice that when you stop adding frightening thoughts to your fear, it begins to fade.
9. When the fear comes, expect and accept it. Wait and give it time to pass without running away from it.
10. Be proud of yourself for your progress thus far, and think about how good you will feel when you succeed this time.
Source:
Jerilyn Ross, M.A., L.I.C.S.W., The Ross Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Disorders, Inc., Washington, DC. Adapted from Mathews et al., 1981.
PMS and PTSD: A bad combination
The reason that PTSD survivors are affected differently from others when faced with the same stressful situation is that person carries a different emotional history inside our bodies. The external event may reawaken the lingering memories of similar events from the past, memories that carry their own set of anxieties.
The residue of emotional trauma from earlier in life can be held deep inside the body where it influences the way we live our lives, and disrupts normal bodily functioning. When an event occurs that is similar to the originating event, it can aggravate the hidden emotions and cause them to flare up, worsening our behavior and exacerbating our physical problems.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.
Many people with PTSD repeatedly re-experience the ordeal in the form of flashback episodes, memories, nightmares, or frightening thoughts, especially when they are exposed to events or objects reminiscent of the trauma. Anniversaries of the event can also trigger symptoms.
Emotional symptoms can include:
■ Hypervigilence
■ Exaggerated startle response
■ Irritability or outbursts of anger
■ Heart-stopping terror
■ Emotional numbness
■ Depression, anxiety
■ Feelings of intense guilt
■ Sleep disturbances such as nightmares and recurring dreams of the event
People with PTSD tend to have abnormal levels of key hormones involved in response to stress. Fear, an emotion that evolved to deal with danger, causes an automatic, rapid protective response in many systems of the body. For people with PTSD, the "fight or flight" response becomes inappropriately aroused.
PMS: Pre-Menstrual Syndrome
Emotional symptoms can include:
■ Mood swings
■ Fear, nervous tension
■ Feeling overwhelmed, powerless, out of control
■ Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts
■ Phobias, feelings of suspicion
■ Sleep disturbances
The words used to describe panic disorders are often frightening. But there is great hope: Treatment can benefit virtually everyone who has this condition.
Several types of medication, particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants, can help relieve the symptoms of both PMS and PTSD.
Additional treatment options:
■ Breathing exercises: Control breathing to avoid hyperventilation
■ Replace alarmist thoughts with calmer ones
■ Approach fearful situations gradually
■ Join a support group
Source:
National Institute of Mental Health
Toll-Free: 1-88-88-ANXIETY (1-888-826-9438)
E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
NIMH Web site: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
The residue of emotional trauma from earlier in life can be held deep inside the body where it influences the way we live our lives, and disrupts normal bodily functioning. When an event occurs that is similar to the originating event, it can aggravate the hidden emotions and cause them to flare up, worsening our behavior and exacerbating our physical problems.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.
Many people with PTSD repeatedly re-experience the ordeal in the form of flashback episodes, memories, nightmares, or frightening thoughts, especially when they are exposed to events or objects reminiscent of the trauma. Anniversaries of the event can also trigger symptoms.
Emotional symptoms can include:
■ Hypervigilence
■ Exaggerated startle response
■ Irritability or outbursts of anger
■ Heart-stopping terror
■ Emotional numbness
■ Depression, anxiety
■ Feelings of intense guilt
■ Sleep disturbances such as nightmares and recurring dreams of the event
People with PTSD tend to have abnormal levels of key hormones involved in response to stress. Fear, an emotion that evolved to deal with danger, causes an automatic, rapid protective response in many systems of the body. For people with PTSD, the "fight or flight" response becomes inappropriately aroused.
PMS: Pre-Menstrual Syndrome
Emotional symptoms can include:
■ Mood swings
■ Fear, nervous tension
■ Feeling overwhelmed, powerless, out of control
■ Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts
■ Phobias, feelings of suspicion
■ Sleep disturbances
The words used to describe panic disorders are often frightening. But there is great hope: Treatment can benefit virtually everyone who has this condition.
Several types of medication, particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants, can help relieve the symptoms of both PMS and PTSD.
Additional treatment options:
■ Breathing exercises: Control breathing to avoid hyperventilation
■ Replace alarmist thoughts with calmer ones
■ Approach fearful situations gradually
■ Join a support group
Source:
National Institute of Mental Health
Toll-Free: 1-88-88-ANXIETY (1-888-826-9438)
E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
NIMH Web site: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Recent research on PTSD
According to the National Institute of Mental Health:
■ In brain imaging studies, researchers have found that the hippocampus—a part of the brain critical to emotion—appears to be different in cases of PTSD. Scientists are investigating whether this is related to short-term memory problems. Changes in the hippocampus are thought to be responsible for intrusive memories and flashbacks that occur in people with this disorder.
■ People with PTSD tend to have abnormal levels of key hormones involved in response to stress. Some studies have shown that cortisol levels are lower than normal and epinephrine and norepinephrine are higher than normal.
■ When people are in danger, they produce high levels of natural opiates, which can temporarily mask pain. Scientists have found that people with PTSD continue to produce those higher levels even after the danger has passed; this may lead to the blunted emotions associated with the condition.
For more information:
National Center for PTSD: http://www.ncptsd.org/
Source:
National Institute of Mental Health
Toll-Free: 1-88-88-ANXIETY (1-888-826-9438)
E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
NIMH Web site: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
■ In brain imaging studies, researchers have found that the hippocampus—a part of the brain critical to emotion—appears to be different in cases of PTSD. Scientists are investigating whether this is related to short-term memory problems. Changes in the hippocampus are thought to be responsible for intrusive memories and flashbacks that occur in people with this disorder.
■ People with PTSD tend to have abnormal levels of key hormones involved in response to stress. Some studies have shown that cortisol levels are lower than normal and epinephrine and norepinephrine are higher than normal.
■ When people are in danger, they produce high levels of natural opiates, which can temporarily mask pain. Scientists have found that people with PTSD continue to produce those higher levels even after the danger has passed; this may lead to the blunted emotions associated with the condition.
For more information:
National Center for PTSD: http://www.ncptsd.org/
Source:
National Institute of Mental Health
Toll-Free: 1-88-88-ANXIETY (1-888-826-9438)
E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
NIMH Web site: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Helping Traumatized Children Learn
The Massachusetts Advocates for Children has released a report and policy agenda to help ensure that children traumatized by family violence succeed in school.
The report sets forth an education and policy agenda to help schools become more supportive environments where traumatized children can focus, behave appropriately, and learn.
http://www.massadvocates.org/helping_traumatized_children_learn
The Massachusetts Advocates for Children has released a report and policy agenda to help ensure that children traumatized by family violence succeed in school.
The report sets forth an education and policy agenda to help schools become more supportive environments where traumatized children can focus, behave appropriately, and learn.
http://www.massadvocates.org/helping_traumatized_children_learn
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
MICKY: POST - TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
MICKY: POST - TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Another survivor of the system shares statistics and information about PTSD...
Another survivor of the system shares statistics and information about PTSD...
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Intimacy can bring emotional damage to the surface
Whatever the surface appearances, most human beings come equipped with convoluted emotional machinery... With intimacy, the wreckage starts to show.
- Sue Grafton, D is for Deadbeat
- Sue Grafton, D is for Deadbeat
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Triggers and Vietnam War veterans
Some veterans from the Vietnam War were so traumatized that any loud noise similar to the sound of gunshot triggered flashbacks of the war.
Grown men rolled into a gutter in order to 'take cover' from the sound of a car backfiring. The sound triggered a full-body reenactment of the war experience.
This experience of post-traumatic stress disorder was not under the veteran's concious control. It was an automatic response when the neural network associated with the trauma of war was triggered.
Again, take note that a Harvard/Casey study has proven that foster care alumni experience post-traumatic stress disorder at a rate twice that of Vietnam War veterans.
Source:
McGraw, Patricia. It's not your fault: How healing relationships change your brain and can help you overcome a painful past. IL: Bahaii Publishing, 2004.
Grown men rolled into a gutter in order to 'take cover' from the sound of a car backfiring. The sound triggered a full-body reenactment of the war experience.
This experience of post-traumatic stress disorder was not under the veteran's concious control. It was an automatic response when the neural network associated with the trauma of war was triggered.
Again, take note that a Harvard/Casey study has proven that foster care alumni experience post-traumatic stress disorder at a rate twice that of Vietnam War veterans.
Source:
McGraw, Patricia. It's not your fault: How healing relationships change your brain and can help you overcome a painful past. IL: Bahaii Publishing, 2004.
Learning to disconnect from thoughts, feelings and behavior
Behavior doesn't come out of a vacuum. Underneath the surface, there are deep roots from which that behaviour has grown.
When babies are born, as part of the imprinting process, a baby experiences their parents' emotions as if they were his/her own. It's an emotional merger, wherein the parent and child are meant to "attune" to one another's experience.
Ideally, the environment would be stable and safe.
Ideally, the growing child will be given words to describe his/her emotions.
In this ideal situation, a child would be secure and ensured of protection and love. This child would learn to identify feelings when experiencing them, and think about how to respond to that emotion.
But what if a child's safety and well-being are seriously threatened?
What is there is an external threat that seems frightening and insurmountable?
What if the first relationships of a child's life are broken?
Foster care creates repeated trauma. Children learn to disconnect with thoughts and feelings in order to survive.
These are survival techniques. In the face of danger, memories become fragmented, mental processes shut down and the only focus is on survival.
But emotions are basic to survival. When a person's outer life and inner life are disconnected, that person cannot heal.
It takes courage to seek help.
It takes courage to stop running and look yourself in the eye.
Even after the healing process has begun, there will be moments of uncertainty.
In post-traumatic stress disorder, fear from the past raises its ugly head and causes the body to react with fight-or-flight or freeze responses. This experience can be very unpredictable and confusing.
Here are the stages of healing, according to Dr. McGraw:
1.) Attunement to self: Take time to be aware of your emotions, including physical symptoms such as increased heart-rate. Journal about the emotions and bodily sensations that you are experiencing, as well as the thoughts and memories that emerge.
You need this time to remind yourself that your physical state and emotions are important.
Learn what your 'triggers' are... To be triggered is to reexperience an event from the past in the present. You will experience the bodily sensations and emotions of a terrifying event that happened long ago.
2.) Strengthening and stabilization: Create safe and stable life circumstances for yourself. Inasmuch as it is in your power, keep your everyday life free of crisis and chaos. Do not participate in behaviors that you have been using to avoid or act out traumatic experiences.
You need this time to give yourself a base of happier memories and safe experiences.
3.) Working through traumatic experiences: After having a base of happier memories, adults find that they are better able to deal with the past.
-This stage should not be rushed. Rushing this process can be damaging and counterproductive.
-Simply talking about a problem will not heal it. The actual events are less important than their emotional impact.
-Pace yourself. Take baby steps. If a conversation becomes too painful, end it. Revisit the problem later, when the emotional intensity has subsided.
When babies are born, as part of the imprinting process, a baby experiences their parents' emotions as if they were his/her own. It's an emotional merger, wherein the parent and child are meant to "attune" to one another's experience.
Ideally, the environment would be stable and safe.
Ideally, the growing child will be given words to describe his/her emotions.
In this ideal situation, a child would be secure and ensured of protection and love. This child would learn to identify feelings when experiencing them, and think about how to respond to that emotion.
But what if a child's safety and well-being are seriously threatened?
What is there is an external threat that seems frightening and insurmountable?
What if the first relationships of a child's life are broken?
Foster care creates repeated trauma. Children learn to disconnect with thoughts and feelings in order to survive.
Trauma can also create a disconnection with personal behavior: If you, or someone that you know, are involved in self-destructive behavior, over and over, examine their pasts for imprints of relationship patterns in which that type of behavior was born.
Consider a child who was sexually molested -- and ends up exploiting his/herself through unhealthy relationships or becoming a stripper or prostitute. In a sense, what this person is doing is reenacting the abuse from their past in order to make sense of it.
Numbing out: Victims of trauma often try to escape their emotional pain. They try to numb out by sexualizing events, eating emotions, drinking to dull the event, smoking to feel the buzz of nicotine or using drugs to make the situation temporarily 'disappear.'These are survival techniques. In the face of danger, memories become fragmented, mental processes shut down and the only focus is on survival.
But emotions are basic to survival. When a person's outer life and inner life are disconnected, that person cannot heal.
It takes courage to seek help.
It takes courage to stop running and look yourself in the eye.
Even after the healing process has begun, there will be moments of uncertainty.
In post-traumatic stress disorder, fear from the past raises its ugly head and causes the body to react with fight-or-flight or freeze responses. This experience can be very unpredictable and confusing.
Here are the stages of healing, according to Dr. McGraw:
1.) Attunement to self: Take time to be aware of your emotions, including physical symptoms such as increased heart-rate. Journal about the emotions and bodily sensations that you are experiencing, as well as the thoughts and memories that emerge.
You need this time to remind yourself that your physical state and emotions are important.
Learn what your 'triggers' are... To be triggered is to reexperience an event from the past in the present. You will experience the bodily sensations and emotions of a terrifying event that happened long ago.
2.) Strengthening and stabilization: Create safe and stable life circumstances for yourself. Inasmuch as it is in your power, keep your everyday life free of crisis and chaos. Do not participate in behaviors that you have been using to avoid or act out traumatic experiences.
You need this time to give yourself a base of happier memories and safe experiences.
3.) Working through traumatic experiences: After having a base of happier memories, adults find that they are better able to deal with the past.
-This stage should not be rushed. Rushing this process can be damaging and counterproductive.
-Simply talking about a problem will not heal it. The actual events are less important than their emotional impact.
-Pace yourself. Take baby steps. If a conversation becomes too painful, end it. Revisit the problem later, when the emotional intensity has subsided.
Shocking, surprising or overwhelming yourself with emotional experiences that you are not prepared to handle will not help you heal.
4.) Acceptance and service: This is characterized by:
-No longer hiding from yourself, your past or your true feelings. See yourself within your own story with compassion and empathy. Be the hero of your own story.
-Being aware of your triggers and not letting your emotions take you hostage. Creating a strategy for coping and recovering when triggers occur.
-Building the capacity to develop warm, loving relationships with others. Avoid or discard harmful relationships. Seek to build new, positive connections.
-Establish a goal and direction for your life. What unique abilities do you have to offer the world?
Source:
McGraw, Patricia. It's not your fault: How healing relationships change your brain and can help you overcome a painful past. IL: Bahaii Publishing, 2004.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Poem about empty promises
He leaves
and comes back
He leaves
1 week
2 weeks
6 months
2 years
Every time it gets worse
he comes home
and with no thought of how I feel
he leaves
When he first gets home he promises
“I won’t be back in there”
as he complains to us
about the thick metal bars
foul food
and nothing to do
later I wake up and
he leaves
With no info of:
when he’ll be back
what he did
or why
he just
leaves
We communicate slightly
only through phone
his picture is a dusty memory in my mind
He says “I miss you boy”
and I say “I miss you too”
but do I really mean it
do I really miss him
“I wish you would come see me” he says
but do I want to?
so I can walk through the metal door
and see his orange suit
scruffy face
sad eyes
so now you see?
let him leave
-Shawn Hanning
and comes back
He leaves
1 week
2 weeks
6 months
2 years
Every time it gets worse
he comes home
and with no thought of how I feel
he leaves
When he first gets home he promises
“I won’t be back in there”
as he complains to us
about the thick metal bars
foul food
and nothing to do
later I wake up and
he leaves
With no info of:
when he’ll be back
what he did
or why
he just
leaves
We communicate slightly
only through phone
his picture is a dusty memory in my mind
He says “I miss you boy”
and I say “I miss you too”
but do I really mean it
do I really miss him
“I wish you would come see me” he says
but do I want to?
so I can walk through the metal door
and see his orange suit
scruffy face
sad eyes
so now you see?
let him leave
-Shawn Hanning
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Wired for survival
"Brain development begins soon after conception and continues after birth. The changes that take place in the brain in the early years of life ensure that an infant becomes highly attuned to the environment into which she was born.
"An infant raised in perilous surroundings will develop brain connections and chemical responses that are highly sensitive to signs of danger.
"Early development is for the long-term. It assumes the environment into which an infant is born will not change significantly over the span of her lifetime.
"Hence the brain connections or chemical tendencies laid down in a dangerous environment at the beginnings of life become entrenched even if an individual finds herself in a safe and secure environment in her adult years, her brain is likely to stay on constant lookout for the slightest signs of danger."
- Early Years 2: Putting Science into Action by Hon. Margaret Norris McCain, J. Fraser Mustard and Dr. Stuart Shanker
"An infant raised in perilous surroundings will develop brain connections and chemical responses that are highly sensitive to signs of danger.
"Early development is for the long-term. It assumes the environment into which an infant is born will not change significantly over the span of her lifetime.
"Hence the brain connections or chemical tendencies laid down in a dangerous environment at the beginnings of life become entrenched even if an individual finds herself in a safe and secure environment in her adult years, her brain is likely to stay on constant lookout for the slightest signs of danger."
- Early Years 2: Putting Science into Action by Hon. Margaret Norris McCain, J. Fraser Mustard and Dr. Stuart Shanker
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Free online classes through Child Trauma Academy
Research and study at the University of Chicago and the Baylor College of Medicine has revealed the complexities and multi-dimensional nature of the problems of childhood abuse and neglect.
The Child Trauma Academy started out as a university-based, medical model working group, but then evolved into an independent, not-for-profit "community of practice."
Their online university offers free online courses.
Right now, the courses they are offering are:
1.) "The Amazing Human Brain and Human Development"
2.) "Surviving Childhood: An Introduction to the Impact of Trauma"
3.) "The Cost of Caring: Secondary Traumatic Stress and the Impact of Working With High-Risk Children and Families"
4.) "Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children"
For more information, please visit:
http://childtraumaacademy.org/
The Child Trauma Academy started out as a university-based, medical model working group, but then evolved into an independent, not-for-profit "community of practice."
Their online university offers free online courses.
Right now, the courses they are offering are:
1.) "The Amazing Human Brain and Human Development"
2.) "Surviving Childhood: An Introduction to the Impact of Trauma"
3.) "The Cost of Caring: Secondary Traumatic Stress and the Impact of Working With High-Risk Children and Families"
4.) "Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children"
For more information, please visit:
http://childtraumaacademy.org/
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Trauma-related beliefs and resilience
In the general public, physical abuse is likely to occur twice as often as sexual abuse.
Within the foster care system, however, the rate of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse is higher than that of physical abuse.
While there are no significant differences regarding physical abuse or neglect for boys vs. girls in foster care, studies have demonstrated that girls are at greater risk for sexual abuse within the foster care system.
Girls with a history of sexual abuse:
-Experience twice as many placement changes than girls with no history of sexual abuse
-Are more likely to be housed in a group home or residential placement
Trauma-related beliefs related to sexual abuse:
- Self-blame/stigmatization
- Betrayal
- Powerlessness
- Traumatic sexualization
84 women between the ages of 18 - 25 years old participated in a study supported by the Orphan Foundation of America.
65% of participants reported a history of sexual abuse.
Where sexual abuse takes place:
1.) Prior to entering foster care
2.) While in foster care (35% of participants)
3.) In both settings (highest rate of self blame/stigmatization)
Tool utilized in study: Trauma-Related Beliefs Scale, which has been shown to be a reliable measure of beliefs for sexual abuse survivors.
Powerlessness was found to make the most significant impact on the resiliency of foster care alumna. Recovery from sexual abuse is aided by having an internal locus of control. (See previous blog entry on attribution theory).
Source:
Breno, Anjey and Galupo, M. Paz. Sexual abuse histories of young women in the U.S. child welfare system: A focus on trauma-related beliefs and resilience, Towson University.
Within the foster care system, however, the rate of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse is higher than that of physical abuse.
While there are no significant differences regarding physical abuse or neglect for boys vs. girls in foster care, studies have demonstrated that girls are at greater risk for sexual abuse within the foster care system.
Girls with a history of sexual abuse:
-Experience twice as many placement changes than girls with no history of sexual abuse
-Are more likely to be housed in a group home or residential placement
Trauma-related beliefs related to sexual abuse:
- Self-blame/stigmatization
- Betrayal
- Powerlessness
- Traumatic sexualization
84 women between the ages of 18 - 25 years old participated in a study supported by the Orphan Foundation of America.
65% of participants reported a history of sexual abuse.
Where sexual abuse takes place:
1.) Prior to entering foster care
2.) While in foster care (35% of participants)
3.) In both settings (highest rate of self blame/stigmatization)
Tool utilized in study: Trauma-Related Beliefs Scale, which has been shown to be a reliable measure of beliefs for sexual abuse survivors.
Powerlessness was found to make the most significant impact on the resiliency of foster care alumna. Recovery from sexual abuse is aided by having an internal locus of control. (See previous blog entry on attribution theory).
Source:
Breno, Anjey and Galupo, M. Paz. Sexual abuse histories of young women in the U.S. child welfare system: A focus on trauma-related beliefs and resilience, Towson University.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Traumatic stress as experienced by children in the child welfare system
Here is a link to the current issue of Focal Point, which focuses on traumatic stress and children within the child welfare system: http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgFPW07TOC.php
Articles include the following:
Articles include the following:
Traumatic Stress and the Child Welfare System
Walker, J. S., & Weaver, A. This article defines child traumatic stress, describes some events that can cause traumatic stress, and summarizes the effects it has on children, youth, and society.
Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents
Cook, A., et al. This article provides a core background for understanding the psychological and physiological effects of multiple traumatic stress experiences on the developing brain. Steps for assessment and treatment are also discussed.
A Real Mother's Embrace: Reflections on Abuse and Recovery
Weaver, A. The guest editor of this issue of Focal Point gives a poignant first-person account of his childhood abuse and subsequent recovery. A strong theme of Aaron’s story is the enduring support and love offered by his foster family.
Evidence-Based Treatment for Children in Child Welfare
Stambaugh, L., Burns, B. J., Landsverk, J., & Rolls-Reutz, J. This article reviews several treatment programs for children in the child welfare system who have experienced traumatic stress. The article focuses on treatments for which there is the best evidence of effectiveness.
Early Intervention as Prevention: Addressing Trauma in Young Children
Groves, B. This article focuses on the need for early intervention to address child traumatic stress in young children. The article also describes the characteristics of effective intervention.
Adapting Evidence-Based Treatments for Use with American Indian and Native Alaskan Children and Youth
Bigfoot, D. S., & Braden, J. This article describes the adaptation of several evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for child traumatic stress for use in Native American communities. The EBTs that are discussed attend to the broad cultural, historical, and intergenerational traumas that are part of the life experience of many Native American youth.
Creating a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System
Igelman, R., Conradi, L., & Ryan, B. One role of the child welfare system is to remove children from abusive or neglectful home environments. However, the system itself can be a source of trauma. This article provides steps for reducing trauma within the child welfare system.
Child Trauma: The Role of Public Policy
Gerrity, E. This article discusses the impact that federal, state, and local government policies have in promoting increased understanding of and effective response to child traumatic stress. Analysis of current policy issues and areas for improvement is included.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Survey on Personal Boundaries
How many of these questions would you say "yes" to?
1.) I can't make up my mind.
2.) I have difficulty saying "no" to people.
3.) I feel as if my happiness depends on other people.
4.) It's hard for me to look a person in the eyes.
5.) I find myself getting involved with people who end up hurting me.
6.) I trust others.
7.) I would rather attend to others than attend to myself.
8.) People take or use my things without asking.
9.) I have difficulty asking for what I want or what I need.
10.) Some people I lend money to don't ever pay me back.
11.) I feel ashamed.
12.) I feel bad for being so "different" from other people.
13.) I feel anxious, scared or afraid.
14.) I spend my time and energy helping others so much that I neglect my own feelings and wants.
15.) I find myself getting involved with people who end up being bad for me.
15.) I feel as if my happiness depends on circumstances outside of me.
16.) I tend to take on the moods of people close to me.
17.) I am overly sensitive to criticism.
18.) I tend to get caught up in the middle of other people's problems.
19.) I feel responsible for other people's feelings.
20.) I put more into relationships than I get out of them.
*Source: Boundaries and Relationships by Charles Whitfield
1.) I can't make up my mind.
2.) I have difficulty saying "no" to people.
3.) I feel as if my happiness depends on other people.
4.) It's hard for me to look a person in the eyes.
5.) I find myself getting involved with people who end up hurting me.
6.) I trust others.
7.) I would rather attend to others than attend to myself.
8.) People take or use my things without asking.
9.) I have difficulty asking for what I want or what I need.
10.) Some people I lend money to don't ever pay me back.
11.) I feel ashamed.
12.) I feel bad for being so "different" from other people.
13.) I feel anxious, scared or afraid.
14.) I spend my time and energy helping others so much that I neglect my own feelings and wants.
15.) I find myself getting involved with people who end up being bad for me.
15.) I feel as if my happiness depends on circumstances outside of me.
16.) I tend to take on the moods of people close to me.
17.) I am overly sensitive to criticism.
18.) I tend to get caught up in the middle of other people's problems.
19.) I feel responsible for other people's feelings.
20.) I put more into relationships than I get out of them.
*Source: Boundaries and Relationships by Charles Whitfield
Boundaries and Core Issues
Healing often occurs within community
To work through whatever core issues are most important to you, it helps to be in the company of safe people who support what you are trying to accomplish.
Early experience(s) of abandonment can lead to feelings of self-doubt and shame.
Sometimes this creates layers of problems, including compulsions and addictions.
As an adult, it's important for us to create safe boundaries in our lives, especially if as a child, those boundaries were broken. We don't want those boundaries to be too rigid, keeping love and safe relationships out of our lives. But, we don't want to allow our need for love to cause us to put up with abusive behavior either.
As adults, we can choose the that we surround ourselves with, and with whom we share our personal information. (Please note that foster care alumni often have an all-or-nothing tendency to overshare or undershare).
To work through whatever core issues are most important to you, it helps to be in the company of safe people who support what you are trying to accomplish.
Early experience(s) of abandonment can lead to feelings of self-doubt and shame.
Sometimes this creates layers of problems, including compulsions and addictions.
As an adult, it's important for us to create safe boundaries in our lives, especially if as a child, those boundaries were broken. We don't want those boundaries to be too rigid, keeping love and safe relationships out of our lives. But, we don't want to allow our need for love to cause us to put up with abusive behavior either.
As adults, we can choose the that we surround ourselves with, and with whom we share our personal information. (Please note that foster care alumni often have an all-or-nothing tendency to overshare or undershare).
Recovery happens in stages
Recovery issues might include:
1.) Grieving
- Stage 1: Identifying our losses
- Stage 2: Learning to grieve
- Stage 3: Grieving past losses
- Sign of recovering: Grieving current losses
2.) Neglecting our own needs
- Stage 1: Recognize that we have needs
- Stage 2: Identify what those needs are
- Stage 3: Begin to get our needs met
- Sign of recovering: Getting our needs met on a regular basis
3.) Being over-responsible for others
- Stage 1: Identifying boundaries
- Stage 2: Clarifying what our personal boundaries are
- Stage 3: Learning to set limits
- Sign of recovering: Being responsible for self, with clear boundaries
4.) Control issues
- Stage 1: Recognize what the control issues are
- Stage 2: Sort through what you can and cannot control
- Stage 3: Let go of some things, take responsibility for others
- Sign of recovering: Achieving more of a balance
5.) All-or-nothing thinking
- Stage 1: Recognize that it's there, and that it is a problem
- Stage 2: Consider possibilities of middle ground
6.) Trust issues
- Stage 1: Realize the importance of trusting
- Stage 2: Trusting selectively
- Stage 3: Learning to trust safe people
- Sign of recovering: Trusting appropriately
7.) High tolerance for inappropriate behavior
(often linked with dependence issues)
- Stage 1: Question what is appropriate and what is not
- Stage 2: Define what you will and will not put up with
- Stage 3: Learn to set limits
- Sign of recovering: Being able to set boundaries with others
8.) Fear of abandonment
- Stage 1: Acknowledge that we have been neglected or abandoned
- Stage 2: Talk through those emotions with a safe, trustworthy person
- Stage 3: Work through emotions and learn safe attachment within a caring community
- Sign of recovering: Willing to take the risk to open your heart to another person
9.) Difficulty handling and resolving conflict
- Stage 1: Define the conflict; put it into words
- Stage 2: List the roadblocks to conflict resolution
- Stage 3: Attempt conflict resolution
- Sign of recovering: Conflict resolution, or agreeing to disagree
*Source: Boundaries and Relationships: Knowing, Protecting and Enjoying the Self by Charles Whitfield, M. D.
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