We may think that the various natural disasters experienced in the world and the global pandemic are too different to be compared with each other. However, we call all situations that arise suddenly, threaten living beings, and require a life-and-death struggle as trauma.
School closures, 1.3 million students worldwide being quarantined in their homes, curfews, being with their peers and relatives outside the home. inability to meet, interruption of sports, arts and social activities, etc. Unwanted situations experienced may lead to serious anxiety disorders in children in the future.
It is natural to react like this to such a sudden and extraordinary event. Just like other traumatic events, the conditions created by the pandemic can cause individuals to feel panic, intense fear, hopelessness and helplessness.
The brain perceives the uncertainty and danger situation and goes into emergency mode. The part of our brain responsible for higher-level functions that can think and reason becomes disabled, and the primitive part that shows "fight, flight or freeze" reactions becomes active.
When the emotional brain takes control. To protect ourselves, we act impulsively and without thinking. Such as hoarding, obsessing over cleanliness, or even acquiring personal protection equipment at home out of fear of possible looting.
Instead, parents should realize that they are triggered, act consciously by calming themselves down, and review their options. They must pass. In this way, they can reduce the anxiety level of their children, for whom they are role models, and help them get through this process as undamaged as possible.
Tips on how to cope:
Realize that you are triggered: Negative and repetitive thoughts that cause anxiety and fear can also cause physical panic attack-like symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and hot flushes.
Express your feelings & Stay Connected: You can stay in touch with your close circle, even from afar. Whether it's by phone, social media or keeping a distance, You can come together in open areas by paying attention to rules and regulations. In addition; You can create certain routines that relax you. For example, walking, meditation, yoga, reading books, engaging in artistic activities, etc.
A Wide Perspective & Rational Perspective: Covid-19 is a new With the fact that it is a virus and the uncertainty it brings, it is definitely a scary situation and one that requires attention. On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that many more people lose their lives due to seasonal flu, a familiar disease, home accidents or traffic accidents. Although almost all cases severely affected by the disease are individuals with secondary diseases, a large percentage of those who become ill recover completely from the disease.
Making Sure Your News Source is Reliable: It is important to investigate the accuracy of the information you obtain from your surroundings or social media. Taking into account information from reliable sources and not paying attention to unnecessary posts protects your mental health.
The effects of trauma on children
Mother How the father goes through this process himself, the way he reflects it at home, the child's development level and temperament characteristics are decisive in terms of the effects of trauma. Accordingly, the following situations may occur.
Depression, anxiety disorder
Behavioral disorders in preschool and primary school age children and emotional disorders
Not wanting to separate from the parent
Excessive attachment to the mother or father, emotional dependence
Regression, where the child behaves as if he is a child younger than his own age
Bed-wetting, speech delays, sleep problems
Obsessive behaviors such as constant shaking of hands
What thoughts may have a negative impact on the child?
The perception that the area outside the home borders is unsafe and deadly for both himself and his parents. The perception that he can break away from life at any moment
Feeling of not being safe anywhere, fear of loss
Uncertainty about whether he will be able to return to the life he is used to
Returning to school reluctance to return
General Evaluation and Solutions
Those who have experienced deaths around them during the COVID-19 period, whose family members are healthcare personnel, or We can see the negative effects mentioned above even in children who are on pandemic duty or even just exposed to epidemic news in the media.
As in every disaster, there will be indirect effects here too. During the COVID-19 period, children whose quarantine conditions are unfavorable, as well as children whose parents lose their jobs or whose economic conditions are disrupted, may experience emotional difficulties.
However, we must not forget that life is not static, but full of changes. is the journey. And if both we adults and our children can get used to keeping up with these changes and being cognitively flexible, we can perceive the situations we encounter as "challenging but surmountable" rather than traumatic.
Cognitive Flexibility is a person's greatest strength. It is the ability to adapt to large-scale challenges. If we want to strengthen a child's cognitive flexibility, we must create an environment that will support him or her to overcome difficulties.
We must instill in our children a sense of security, the power of hope, and a sense of togetherness.
Finally, considering her previous post-traumatic experiences, I would like to share a quote from Lisa Gibbs, Director of the Jack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program at the University of Melbourne.
“Traumas are transformative. Some will return to their old life, while others will find that that old life is no longer there; They will create another way of living and thinking.
Some things will go back to the way they were, some things will be changed forever.
Our losses While we mourn for the past, we will be grateful for our new perspectives.
It will be a discovery where we can look at life differently.”
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