What Is Complex Trauma?

Trauma is defined ‘as an event that threatens the physical or psychological safety’. It causes one to have ‘feelings of terror and helplessness’. Trauma is caused by many different events, including but not limited to, abuse, assault, war, or a natural disaster (Dods). When a person, no matter the age, experiences a type of trauma the brain automatically goes into a fight or flight response (Walkley; Cox). The fight or flight response is when the hypothalamus activates two systems. Adrenaline is released and the blood pressure and heart rate go up. This enables one to be able to survive in a stressful situation (Layton). A foster child is taken out of their home for a reason. Because of this, foster kids have experienced trauma. The knowledge
Children with a tortuous background have trouble thinking clearly, reasoning, and solving problems. This results from their mind and body being in a constant state of stress (Effects of Complex Trauma). The way a student processes trauma depends on the age they are in. A preschool student might suck their thumb or they might throw a temper tantrum. They process their emotions through play, like reenacting. An elementary student might express that they do not feel good or they have a headache. Their school performance might also decline. Depending on the grade level, they might want to talk about the event. Middle or high school students are more likely to feel self-conscious or feel guilty. They are prone to a higher risk of self-destructive behavior. Overall, each child will react to trauma differently, no matter the age (The Effects of Trauma on Schools and
A young child learns their self-worth from the reactions of their caregivers. If it is a poor reaction, a crummy self-worth is developed. They feel as if they have no purpose; they feel as if they are damaged goods. Because of the self-esteem issues they have no desire to plan for their future. They live moment-to-moment as a result of how they learned to survive in their dangerous surrounding. To them, there is no time to daydream (Effects of Complex Trauma). Childhood trauma affects not only their health in the present, but also their health in the long run. An increase of adulthood medical problems has been linked to a traumatic childhood. Chronic illnesses are a result. Trauma, as a child, affects a lot of aspects of the mind and body. It damages their brain, their behavior, and their future. In the long run, trauma will cause alcohol abuse, depression, obesity, smoking, STDs, domestic violence, and many other health problems (The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study; The Effects of Complex