Post Pandemic Care

I.               Educate Yourself

According to Child Trends Publication, exposure to traumatic events (such as the pandemic) often begins early in life. Young children are at the highest risk for exposure to these events and are most vulnerable to the adverse effects. 

Childhood distress is strongly linked to mental and physical health problems over the lifespan.” It negatively impacts brain development, cognitive development, learning, social-emotional development, the ability to develop secure attachments to others, and physical health; it is also associated with a shortened lifespan. A considerable body of research demonstrates that children suffer the most severe, long-lasting, and harmful effects when trauma happens early in life, takes multiple forms, is severe and pervasive, and involves harm by a fearful parent or other primary caregiver.  (1: Children’s Mental Health - Social Sci Libre Texts)

Childhood distress is more likely to lead to PTSD than angst that occurs to an adult. Children exposed to many different forms of traumatic events are more likely to exhibit PTSD (e.g. anxiety, depression, anger, aggression, dissociation) than children with an exposure to a single type of trauma such as the covid pandemic. Children and youth may re-experience the event through intrusive memories, nightmares, and flashbacks; avoid situations or people that remind them of the distress; and feel intense anxiety that disrupts their everyday lives. It is not unusual then for them to engage in aggressive, self-destructive, or reckless behavior; have sleep deprivation; or remain in an exaggerated state of awareness and reactivity to their environment. Actually, there is no typical reaction to any trauma. Most children show distress immediately following a traumatic event, but most return to their earlier level of functioning.                                                                                                                                  (2: www.childtrends.org)

Don’t overlook the fact that it also depends on their age and developmental stage. 

II.              Acknowledge Categories of Distress

Abuse/Neglect

Family Issues

News of the community and violence that takes place there every day

Distress at School

Personal medical procedures

Major accidents or injuries

Mental states of depression, poor self-image/self-worth

Separation form parent or parents

Natural disasters

Terrorist violence

Discrimination

Severe poverty

III.            Four Steps Toward Post Pandemic Care

A.    Admit trauma exist and understand the recovery process

B.    Acknowledge all the signs and symptoms in that person’s world

C.     Action is required to implement policies and procedures

D.    Avoid Re-traumatizing (speaks for itself)

IV.            Seven Areas of Traumatic Distress on Children

A.    Cognition Issues

                Learning

  Problem-solving

Speech Setbacks

Lack of Focus

Lack of Academic Progress

B.    Physical health Issues

                Lack of Sleep

Eating Disorder

Immune System Malfunction

Heart Issues

Life Span Questions

C.     Emotional Health Issues

                 Out of control Emotions

                  Inability to Cope

                  Stress Factors

                  Feelings of Shame/Guilt

Worry and Hopelessness

Helpless Attitude

D.    Relational Issues

                  Attachment Confusion

                  Poor Social Interaction

                  Friendship Issues

                  Inability to Love People

                  Growing desire to Abuse Also

E.     Mental Issues

                   Depression

                   Anxiousness

                   Negative self-talk

                   PTSD Symptoms

                   Feeling of Suicide        

F.     Behavior Issues

                   Lack of Self Control

                   Emotional Cocooning

                   Aggressive Actions

                   A “Risky” Attitude

                   Sexual Activity

                   Substance Abuse (Drug & Alcohol)

G.    Brain Development Issues

                   Brain Shrinkage

                   Lack of Adequate Processing

                   Impaired Stress Response

                   Epigenetic Changes - Behaviors and actions that affect the way our genes work. (Genetics load the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger)

V.             First Steps to Overcoming the Pandemic’s (trauma’s) Effects

A.    Saturate yourself with the Word of God.

B.    Seek connections and answers with family and close friends. 

C.   Serve in an essential place outside of your usual orbit.