When many of us think about a child who is traumatized, we may assume that this was brought on by a single event, such as witnessing an act of violence such as a school shooting or domestic violence, or facing a natural disaster as in the case of the tsunami in Thailand or Hurricane Katrina. While this can be true, the stimulus for trauma can come in many different forms.

“Every child reacts to life circumstances and events differently,” said Dr. Larry Rosenberg, clinical director of the CGC. “A situation can become traumatic for a child whenever his or her emotions become too intense to manage. This might be stimulated by feelings of overwhelming helplessness or when they sense something that poses a threat to themselves or those they love.”

Because we all have different thresholds of tolerance, what may be traumatic for one may not be for another. While this can make it difficult to put together a full list of potential causes, some of the more “common” sources of childhood trauma might include:

• A single event where the child feels as though his or her life or the life of someone they are close to is in serious jeopardy.

• An over-stimulating situation, such as exposure to sexual experiences, where the child may have a conflict between what they feel emotionally and physically.

• When there is no buffer between the environment and the child to help him or her process feelings and events.

• A situation where a child is exposed to on-going stressors over a prolonged period of time, such as intense fighting between parents and chronic verbal abuse.

“Traumatic events often become a defining point in a child’s development, serving as a backdrop for her or his view of the world and relationships” said Dr. Rosenberg. “It can serve as the context for her or his future behavior and have consequences well into adulthood.”

Parents can help by keeping a watchful eye on changes in a child’s behavior and by creating a supportive environment where the child can express him-or-herself openly. Sometimes, the situation may improve on its own depending on the source of the trauma and the impact on the child. However, if you sense that the issue appears to be interfering with the child’s daily functioning (his or her health, school, relationships, etc.), help can and should be sought both for the child as well as her or his parents.