Psychological first aid in case of a major catastrophic event. (Instructions for treatment of traumatized children and teens)

Hurricane Irma strengthened to a category 5 storm with winds up to 175 mph makes it one of the strongest storms in history.
It could devastate the Caribbean, and might reach Florida.
I've made this leaflet for parents of children who will be affected by this disaster.
Please share this with you friends who are in the affected zone and with everyone who might feel distressed by the occurring events.

I've made the following available for download on this link.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AdnsE97VCHStOYEKuZdTsVjE05NpfbVDThtzo4voC2Y/edit?usp=sharing

Support to children after a difficult event

As much as we want to protect a child, it sometimes (as well as adults) cannot avoid serious events. In the past few days, your child has been experiencing such dark events, whether directly affected by the event, watching what is happening to others or just hearing about it all.

Instructions for treatment of traumatized children and teens

There are many reactions of a child to a traumatic event.

-a feeling of distress and concern for the security and safety of people close to you
-worse fear of separation from parents than before
-constant concern that traumatic events could be repeated
-constant restlessness, poor concentration and attention, anxiety, withdrawal, anger and aggression
-physical disturbances: headache, abdominal pain, permanent fatigue, etc.
-changes in appetite and sleep problems, night awakenings and fears
-constant return to traumatic events (through a story or a game)
-increased sensitivity to sounds (noise, engine sound, alarms...)
-more conflicts with adults, more unpleasant emotions (sadness, fears, anger, etc.)
-child behaves as if it were younger

Remember!

It is important to know that these are normal reactions that do not depend on the age and gender of the child. Most adults feel so after the traumatic event.

How long do these reactions last?

Children are different, so after surviving traumatic events they will not behave the same way.Most will react immediately, some later (after one or two weeks or even after a month). Traumatic reactions may last for several weeks, but also for several months.

Recovery

If the child continues to live in his usual environment, with people who love him and who give him support, and daily activities are as before, reactions will gradually disappear.
The behavioral periods will shift with shorter deterioration periods and the child will eventually recover. Sometimes it happens that recovery is slow and complicated.
Remember!

The old saying "time heals everything" can be true only if in this period conditions for the child's recovery are favorable.
In general, the recovery of pre-school children after traumatic events depends on these factors:
-the ability to express their feelings.
-safety and predictability of the environment (maintaining daily routine, continuing activities and preserving past habits with the support of parents)

How can you help your child?

-help your child to feel safe. After talking about a disturbing event, allow him to focus on the present through safe, peaceful activities. Hold his hand, read together or do something that calms you both.

-Listen to the child without interruption and have understanding for the fact that the story is more about the event or that he is experiencing the disturbing event through the game.

-Encourage your child to talk about disturbing feelings. Show acceptance, patience, say that it is normal to feel that way, others who were in a similar situation feel the same way, both children and adults.

-The child tells the story of the event at the most unusual time, when you do not expect it, and asks questions that can surprise you. Answer him calmly, with simple words. It's important that he knows he can talk to you and he can ask what he wants.
Although this constant questioning may cause nervousness, it should be understood that the child needs to hear the information repeatedly in order to understand it.

-When explaining a child what happened, express yourself clearly. The ambiguity in your speech confuses the child.

-Avoid unnecessary longer separation of the child from your or other persons important for the child.

-In order to explain the event to itself, a child can distort information - to blame himself, to believe that the event did not happen or to believe that something tragic happened because he has done something wrong, or hasn’t done something. Gently help him to understand what really happened .

-Expect the child to show anger. Try to anticipate situations in which this could happen, help him to express his feelings, to free himself from tension and to control his behavior.

-Help the child realize that, in time, he will feel better. Tell him about your childhood experiences, read him stories with a happy ending.

-Show understanding if the child behaves as if he were younger. Do not rush it, give him support, try to show that you believe in a better future.

-Enable your child's favorite activities and games. This can make it easier for him to recover.

-Have patience with the child and yourself. Give time to your family to face everything that you survived. Find ways to tell your child how much you love him.

What can disrupt recovery

-Denying it had a hard experience, suppressing unpleasant feelings

-Avoiding conversations about a catastrophic event

-Rushing the recovery and diminishing the significance of his feelings

-Repeated exposure to a traumatic event (news on TV, exaggeration, new information on a traumatic event that makes recovery difficult)

When to seek professional help

It is good to seek professional help:

If the signs of stress are getting stronger, they do not decrease, and you do not know how and what to do
If you do not have support in your family or outside for your fears and feelings

When family relationships have changed, and you do not know what to do

If your child is not recovering, and you are exhausted by the role of helping someone else

If you need support

I know it's a long read but it is important.
Stay safe everyone.