Counseling helps Traumatised children

In this period when Rwandans are remembering what the 1994 Genocide, the children’s fear and anxiety may cause trauma.

Monday, April 07, 2008

In this period when Rwandans are remembering what the 1994 Genocide, the children’s fear and anxiety may cause trauma.

A child with trauma may show signs like, crying when he sees scaring pictures, lack of sleep, or over sleeps, bed wet or cling to his parents. These signs are common in kids.

Older children, who have shown some independence, may want to spend more time with their families.

Bedtime problems may also appear. A child may begin to have night-mares; not want to sleep alone; and or become afraid of the darkness, falling asleep or remaining asleep.

Some children will show their fear by developing physical symptoms, such as stomachaches, headaches or feeling "sick."

These are the children that can experience thinking difficulties. They can become easily distracted, feel confused and disoriented and find it hard to concentrate.

These reactions can be triggered by smells, objects or activities associated with the trauma.

A child may be unaware of the triggers and of any of the behavioral changes that occur. They are not intentionally showing they are anxious or fearful. Children of different ages react in different ways to trauma.

If any adult see the changes it’s him to help the child. Children with trauma can be taken to children councilors for relief.

If the children’s trauma is caused by what they see, they should be helped to do other things which may keep them far from such things.

Let us all together protect traumatised children from especially that we may experience a number of cases in this period, when we are remembering our loved ones who passed away in the 1994 Genocide.

Ends