Helping Children Cope with Medical Trauma

17 Mar 2024

Helping Children Cope With Medical Trauma

Medical experiences can be overwhelming for children, especially when they involve painful procedures, hospitalizations, or chronic illnesses. These experiences can leave lasting emotional scars, leading to medical trauma.

As parents, it’s essential to recognize the signs of trauma and implement strategies to help our children cope. Thankfully, we are not alone! There are professionals and a variety of resources available to help navigate this difficult journey.

Of course, our mission is to make healthcare more child-friendly so we can prevent medical trauma. Check out our medical toys!

Understanding Medical Trauma

Medical trauma refers to the emotional and psychological impact of medical procedures, hospitalizations, or chronic illnesses on children. It can result from:

  1. Painful Procedures: Repeated needle sticks, surgeries, or other invasive procedures that may cause distress and anxiety.
  2. Hospitalizations: Being away from home, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and equipment, or witnessing a family member in this environment.
  3. Chronic Illness: Children with long-term health conditions may experience ongoing stress and fear related to their health.

Signs of Medical Trauma

Parents should be aware of the following signs that their child may be experiencing medical trauma:

  1. Nightmares or Sleep Disturbances: Frequent nightmares or difficulty falling asleep.
  2. Avoidance Behaviors: Avoiding medical settings or discussions related to health.
  3. Emotional Changes: Increased irritability, anxiety, or mood swings.
  4. Regression: Reverting to earlier developmental stages (e.g., bedwetting, thumb-sucking).
  5. Physical Symptoms: Unexplained headaches, stomachaches, or other physical complaints.

Coping Strategies for Parents

Here are some methods parents can implement to help their children cope with medical trauma:

  1. Open Communication: Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings. Encourage them to talk about their experiences, fears, and worries.
  2. Normalize Emotions: Let your child know that it’s okay to feel scared, sad, or angry. Normalize their emotions and validate their feelings.
  3. Education: Explain medical procedures using age-appropriate language and tools. Knowledge reduces fear and uncertainty.
  4. Distraction Techniques: During painful procedures, distract your child with toys, books, or music.
  5. Comfort Objects: Allow your child to bring a favorite stuffed animal or blanket to the hospital for comfort.
  6. Positive Associations: Create positive associations with medical settings (e.g., bring a special toy or play a favorite game during hospital visits).

The Role of Play Therapy

Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that allows children to express themselves through play. Here’s how it can help:

  1. Safe Outlet: Play provides a safe outlet for children to process their emotions, fears, and traumatic experiences.
  2. Symbolic Expression: Children use toys, art, and pretend play to symbolically express their feelings. For example, a child might act out a hospital scene with dolls and toy medical devices.
  3. Therapeutic Relationship: Play therapists build a trusting relationship with the child, allowing them to explore their emotions without judgment.
  4. Healing Play: Therapists use play to help children reframe their experiences, build resilience, and develop coping skills.
  5. Parent Involvement: Parents can learn play-based techniques to use at home, reinforcing the therapeutic process.

 

Play therapists are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in using play as a therapeutic tool to help children express their feelings, process experiences, and work through emotional challenges. Here’s how to find one:

  1. Referrals from Pediatricians or Primary Care Doctors:
    • Start by asking your child’s pediatrician or primary care doctor for recommendations. They often have connections with mental health professionals, including play therapists.
  2. Psychology Today Directory:
    • Visit the Psychology Today Play Therapy Directory. You can search for play therapists based on your location. The directory provides detailed listings of mental health professionals, including play therapists.
  3. Healthline FindCare Tool:
    • Use the Healthline FindCare Tool to find a licensed mental health professional experienced in play therapy in your area. It can help you locate a suitable therapist for your child.
  4. Association for Play Therapy (APT):
    • The Association for Play Therapy is a valuable resource. They train and accredit Registered Play Therapists (RPTs). These therapists have specialized training in childhood problems and direct clinical supervision. You can search their directory to find an accredited play therapist.

 

Finding a play therapist you and your child feel comfortable with is essential. Look for someone with experience, training, and a compassionate approach to help your child navigate medical trauma and other emotional challenges. 🌟

 

Child Life Specialists

Many hospitals also have a Child Life Department that can aid in trauma prevention and coping as well. And if yours doesn’t, there are also independent Child Life Specialists that you may be able to connect with in your area!

Child life specialists are trained professionals who work in healthcare settings, specifically focusing on the emotional and psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and their families. Their primary goal is to create a supportive and child-friendly environment, ensuring that children feel safe, understood, and empowered throughout their medical journey.

Child life specialists are truly unsung heroes in pediatric healthcare. Their compassionate approach, creativity, and commitment to preventing trauma and promoting coping strategies make a significant difference in the lives of children and families. Let’s recognize and appreciate their invaluable role! 

Resources for Parents

As a parent, supporting a child through medical trauma can be challenging, but there are valuable resources available to help you navigate this difficult journey. Here are some resources you might find helpful:

  1. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN): NCTSN provides comprehensive information and support for families dealing with pediatric medical traumatic stress. They offer resources specific to childhood cancer, chronic conditions, hospital stays, illnesses, and guidance on talking to your child about medical trauma1.
  2. Psychology Today’s Guide on Emotional Medical Trauma: This guide offers ideas on how to navigate medical trauma symptoms. It covers topics such as preventing and managing trauma, coping strategies, and understanding emotional responses2.
  3. Any Baby Can: Medical Trauma Guide for Parents: Any Baby Can provides a guide specifically for parents dealing with medical trauma in children. It offers insights, tips, and practical advice to support your child during medical experiences3.

Remember, seeking professional help and connecting with other parents who have faced similar challenges can make a significant difference. You’re not alone, and there are resources available to guide you through this journey.

Books

This section contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you! Amazon gives us a bonus, and all proceeds go to further The Butterfly Pig’s mission of changing pediatric healthcare to be more child-friendly.

Picture books can also be powerful tools for helping children understand and cope with medical trauma or other challenging experiences. Here are some picture books that address trauma, resilience, and healing:

  1. “The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm” by LeVar Burton and Susan Schaefer Bernardo:
    • In this beautifully illustrated book, Mica Mouse learns about resilience from her grandfather’s story of a rhino who swallowed a storm. The rhino finds ways to release the storm with the support of friends and community, teaching valuable lessons about coping with difficult emotions1.
  2. “Whimsy’s Heavy Things” by Julie Kraulis:
    • Whimsy carries heavy stones that represent her feelings. Through her journey, she learns that it’s more manageable to deal with emotions one at a time and with help. This metaphorical story helps children explore their own emotional burdens and find healthy ways to cope2.
  3. “A Terrible Thing Happened” by Margaret M. Holmes:
    • This book follows Sherman the raccoon, who experiences something traumatic. It gently introduces the concept of trauma and emphasizes the importance of seeking support and understanding. Suitable for young children, it provides a safe way to discuss difficult feelings2.
  4. “Brave Bart: A Story for Traumatized and Grieving Children” by Caroline H. Sheppard:
    • Bart, a young squirrel, faces trauma and grief after witnessing a tragic event. The book explores his emotional journey and how he finds courage to heal. It’s a helpful resource for children dealing with loss or trauma2.

 

Reading together and discussing these stories can provide comfort, open conversations, and foster resilience in children.

Read More

If you’d like more resources on Healthcare-induced trauma, here are some valuable links and research articles related to preventing medical trauma in children:

  1. Minimizing Pediatric Healthcare-Induced Anxiety and Trauma:
    • This article discusses strategies for minimizing anxiety and trauma in pediatric patients during healthcare experiences. It introduces the “CARE” process, emphasizing choices, agenda-setting, resilience, and emotional support1.
  2. Topical Review: Medical Trauma During Early Childhood:
    • This review evaluates empirical literature on the psychological impact of medical trauma during early childhood (ages 0–6 years). It informs models of clinical care for assessing, preventing, and treating traumatic stress following injury or illness2.
  3. Management of Pediatric Trauma:
    • This resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics provides insights into managing pediatric trauma. While it covers various aspects of trauma, it can inform preventive measures as well3.
  4. Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach in Pediatric Healthcare:
    • Given the daily challenges faced by healthcare providers, this article explores applying a trauma-informed approach to mitigate negative consequences related to medical trauma in children4.