Mental Health

Confronting Childhood Trauma

By Mr. Hershel Wertheimer

Executive Director of Hamaspik of Kings County

Question:

Recently, I’ve been having frequent nightmares and often feel panicky. I’m wondering if this may be connected to a traumatic event from my childhood. I shared this with my brother, and he suggested I consider therapy. However, I’m afraid that dealing with trauma from childhood will just make things worse. What do you advise?

Answer: 

The fact that you suffer from nightmares and often feel panicky suggests that these symptoms are, in fact, child trauma symptoms linked to events from your childhood. 

First and foremost, my heart goes out to you. I understand the pain you’re going through.

Regarding whether you should go to therapy to address those child trauma symptoms or if it might expose forgotten troubles, it’s important to remember that anxiety does not go away by ignoring it. On the contrary, it tends to build up and can become more and more intense over time. 

This escalation can affect various aspects of your life, and your nightmares could potentially worsen. Therefore, ignoring it is not a viable option.

If your symptoms aren’t severe and you feel you can manage, you might want to try self-regulation techniques, mindfulness, and coping skills for a short period of time. While this won’t solve the underlying problem (and it may resurface later), this can be a good way to manage your anxiety and child trauma symptoms if they’re not currently extreme.

All of this is good for the short term, but if you want a long-term solution, I’d recommend going to therapy. You raised a valid concern that the therapist might explore some areas where painful memories could resurface and make things worse. Here’s  the  approach I’d recommend for dealing with trauma from childhood:

  • Before choosing a therapist, ensure they have good supervision and don’t work entirely independently.
  • In therapy, there are two primary approaches. One is to root out the problem by revisiting the trauma and making peace with it. The other approach focuses on managing the here and now without delving deeply into past traumas. Both approaches have their pros and cons. The first aims to resolve the problem permanently, while the second focuses on ongoing coping and management of the child trauma symptoms. Discuss these options with your therapist during your first meeting to decide which approach suits you best.

I wish you much success in working through this pain and liberating yourself. 

Auditory Sensitivity

My child is sensitive to loud noises
(e.g., sirens, vacuum cleaner).

My child seeks out specific sounds or types of music and appears calmer when listening to them.

Tactile Sensitivity

My child is irritated by certain fabrics or tags in clothing.

My child seems indifferent to sensations that are usually painful or to extreme temperatures.

Visual Sensitivity

My child is sensitive to bright or flashing lights.

My child tends to avoid eye contact.

Taste/Smell Sensitivity

My child constantly prefers bland foods and rejects foods with strong flavors or spices.

My child seeks out strong or unusual smells, such as sniffing food or objects.

Proprioceptive Sensitivity

My child prefers tight hugs or being wrapped in a blanket.

My child is unaware of body position in space (e.g., often bumps into things).

Social Sensitivity

My child becomes anxious or distressed in crowded spaces.

My child is hesitant or resistant to climbing or balancing activities (e.g., jungle gyms, see-saws).

Movement Sensitivity

My child dislikes fast or spinning movements

Vestibular Sensitivity

My child becomes anxious or distressed in crowded spaces.

My child is hesitant or resistant to climbing or balancing activities (e.g., jungle gyms, see-saws).

Please answer all questions before submitting.

Your Child’s Score is

  • 0-15

    Low Sensory Sensitivity

  • 16-30

    Moderate Sensory Sensitivity

  • 31-45

    High Sensory Sensitivity

  • 46-60

    Very High Sensory Sensitivity

0-15: Low Sensory Sensitivity

  • Interpretation: Your child exhibits low levels of sensory sensitivity, usually falling within the typical developmental range.
  • Recommendation: Generally not  a cause for concern. If you have specific worries or notice a sudden change in behavior, consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation.
  • 0-15

    Low Sensory Sensitivity

  • 16-30

    Moderate Sensory Sensitivity

  • 31-45

    High Sensory Sensitivity

  • 46-60

    Very High Sensory Sensitivity

16-30: Moderate Sensory Sensitivity

  • Interpretation: Your child displays moderate sensory sensitivity, which may warrant intervention.
  • Recommendation: Consider sensory-friendly activities, sensory sensitive toys, or sensory sensitive clothing like noise-canceling headphones and weighted blankets to improve comfort. If symptoms persist, consult health care professionals.
  • 0-15

    Low Sensory Sensitivity

  • 16-30

    Moderate Sensory Sensitivity

  • 31-45

    High Sensory Sensitivity

  • 46-60

    Very High Sensory Sensitivity

31-45: High Sensory Sensitivity

  • Interpretation: Your child has higher than average sensory sensitivity that may interfere with daily functioning.
  • Recommendation: Seek a detailed evaluation by health care professionals for sensory integration therapy options and potential environmental modifications.
  • 0-15

    Low Sensory Sensitivity

  • 16-30

    Moderate Sensory Sensitivity

  • 31-45

    High Sensory Sensitivity

  • 46-60

    Very High Sensory Sensitivity

46-60: Very High Sensory Sensitivity

  • Interpretation: Your child demonstrates high levels of sensory sensitivity that could significantly interfere with daily life.
  • Recommendation: If your child displays this level of sensory sensitivity, it’s highly recommended that you consult with a health care professional for a multi-disciplinary assessment. You will probably be directed towards early intervention programs and specialized support.

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