Trauma is experiences that include feelings of fear, horror and helplessness, such as accidents, natural disasters, deaths, wars, explosions, assault, harassment and domestic violence, which expose the person to a real risk and cause disruption of the natural flow of normal life.
Earthquake is a traumatic, frightening and difficult experience for all age groups. However, it creates more severe trauma for children who have difficulty making sense of and defining the event. In addition to being afraid of earthquakes, children are also afraid of the uncertainties, changes and problems that an earthquake may cause. The order of their lives was disrupted and they faced many unknown challenges. They may have lost one or more of their friends, family and relatives. The house they lived in and their special belongings may no longer exist. It is very difficult for children to cope with these sudden changes in their lives. The psychological problems experienced by the child may start as behavioral changes and progress to serious mental disorders.
There are some behaviors observed in children after the earthquake. Some children may not exhibit these behaviors. In some people, these behaviors may occur weeks or months after the traumatic experience.
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Insomnia, having scary dreams, being startled by sudden sounds
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Recurrence of the earthquake. Fear of what will happen
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Exhibiting aggressive behavior
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Excessive activity
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Night - bedwetting during the day
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Fear of being alone, closed spaces and darkness
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Acting like a child younger than your age
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Withdrawing and avoiding talking about experiences
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Not wanting to go to school or nursery
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Getting angry and crying easily >
How to approach children after the earthquake is very important. Children perceive the drama and intensity of events from their parents' reactions to disaster. Therefore, the parents' stance, the way they handle the event and their values The child's understanding of the situation significantly determines what meaning he will give to the event and how he will cope. The calm, consistent and compassionate approach of parents is the most valuable help they can offer to their children.
Frightening, age-inappropriate, trauma-inducing details should not be shared with children. It is very important to provide accurate information about the experience in a language appropriate to their developmental level and in a language they can understand. It helps him make sense of the disaster that happened to him. Speaking at eye level and making contact is an important approach that fosters the child's sense of trust.
The child's attention should not be drawn to earthquake-related images, death and destruction. For example, there are people in solidarity and cooperation, people being rescued and recovering. . References should be made to positive processes such as people helping each other.
The situation should not be described as lighter or more exaggerated than it actually is, explanations should be made in line with how the process was experienced. While doing this, children should be told as much as they ask and given the opportunity to talk about their feelings. Children should be helped to make sense of the event by naming their emotions. For example, “there was an earthquake while your brother and I were playing. Our house shook, you were scared. But a statement such as "But we are together and safe now, I am with you" would be useful. It should be explained that an earthquake is a natural phenomenon such as lightning, rain, and thunder.
The best way to relax children is through games. They reflect their life experiences that affect them into the game. When they have difficulty, you can support them by creating small games such as blowing something light with a straw, blowing up a balloon, doing breathing exercises with music, playing with pillows (getting between the pillows), playing with sand and clay, you can concretize the situation they are experiencing by visualizing it with Legos and visualize this process in their minds. You can clarify.
If possible, the child should be encouraged to continue his daily routines and activities. You can be an example to your child with your behaviors such as problem solving, cooperation, coping with problems, and behaviors such as talking about their feelings, giving space for them to play, making contact, and hugging. You can enable emotional regulation with your help.
Expert help is necessary and important in dealing with adaptation and trauma disorders observed in children after negative experiences and experiences such as earthquakes.
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