COMING BACK TOGETHER
Continued from page 3
For the purposes of our discussion , let ’ s expand / broaden the definition of trauma as follows :
An overwhelming amount of stress resulting from unexpected , overwhelming event ( s ), loss , or disruption that exceeds one ’ s ability to cope .
While some of our students entered 2020 with pre-existing trauma histories , many more of them have now experienced trauma during this collective intersectional crisis . Whether it ’ s prolonged social isolation resulting from school closure , the death of a grandparent to whom they could not say goodbye , a parent ’ s loss of a family-sustaining job , or viewing viral videos of people who look like them and / or their family members being killed by police , more of our students are affected by serious loss or disruption than ever . And many of them lack adequate coping resources . As educators , you know that children are exquisitely sensitive to their parents ’ stress levels ; you are also aware , perhaps through lived experience , that parents as a group have rarely been more stressed than they are now . Finally , for those students with pre-existing trauma , the current crises may well exacerbate their vulnerabilities or difficulties . ( Sanders , 2020 )
Let ’ s review the symptoms of trauma we may observe in K-12 students this fall .
• development of new fears
• reduced concentration
• decline in schoolwork
• sleep disturbance
• nightmares
• separation anxiety ( particularly in young children )
• school refusal
• anger
• irritability
• headaches , stomachaches , “ injuries ”
• low energy
• hyperactivity
• sadness
• loss of interest in usual activities
• reduced motivation
Now , let ’ s consider our own adult “ symptom profiles ” in response to crisis .
• trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• sadness , depression , hyperactivity , irritability , or anger
• having no feelings at all or feeling numb
• a lack of energy or feeling exhausted all the time
• lack of appetite or , the opposite , eating all the time
• trouble concentrating or feeling confused
• social isolation , reduced or restricted activities
• thinking no one else is having the same reactions as you
• headaches , stomachaches , or other body pains
• misusing alcohol , tobacco , drugs , or prescription medications to cope
( American Psychiatric Association “ Coping After Disaster .” 2020 )
Page 4 Fall 2020 CSEE Connections