Southeast Kentucky Behavioral Health, LLC

Archives 2023

Acknowledging a child’s pain

Telling a hurt child “it will be okay” can have both positive and negative effects, depending on the context and how it’s delivered.

On one hand, saying “it will be okay” can provide comfort and reassurance to a child who is experiencing pain or distress. It can help the child feel heard and validated, and provide a sense of hope that things will improve. This can be particularly helpful in situations where the child is upset but not in immediate danger, such as after a minor injury, a disappointing experience, or a conflict with a friend.

On the other hand, telling a hurt child “it will be okay” without acknowledging their feelings or offering any further support can be dismissive and invalidating. It can make the child feel like their emotions are not important or valid, or like they are expected to simply “get over it” without any help or support. This can be particularly harmful in situations where the child is experiencing significant pain or trauma, or where they feel isolated or unsupported.

In general, it’s important to validate a child’s feelings and offer support in addition to reassurance. For example, you might say something like, “I know that hurts, and it’s okay to feel upset. Let’s take a break and see what we can do to make it feel better.” This acknowledges the child’s pain, validates their emotions, and offers concrete support to help them cope.

How Much is Too Much?

Excessive media exposure can have a variety of negative effects on individuals, particularly children and adolescents. Here are some of the possible effects:

1. Physical health issues: Spending too much time watching TV or using electronic devices can lead to physical health problems such as obesity, poor vision, and sleep disturbances.

2. Psychological problems: Too much media exposure can lead to psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation.

3. Desensitization to violence: Repeated exposure to violent media content can lead to desensitization, meaning that individuals become less sensitive to violence and may be more likely to act aggressively.

4. Decreased academic performance: Children who spend too much time on media may have lower academic performance compared to children who spend less time on media.

5. Addiction: Some individuals may become addicted to certain forms of media, leading to negative consequences in their personal and professional lives.

6. Disrupted family and social relationships: Excessive media exposure can disrupt family and social relationships, leading to communication problems and social isolation.

Overall, it is important to balance media exposure with other activities, such as exercise, socializing with friends and family, and pursuing hobbies and interests. Parents can play an important role in monitoring and limiting their children’s media exposure to ensure a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Grief

Grief is a natural human response to loss, whether it be the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or any other significant change or event that causes deep emotional pain. There are generally considered to be five stages of grief that people may experience as they process their feelings and come to terms with their loss.

The first stage of grief is denial. In this stage, people may struggle to accept the reality of their loss and may feel numb, shocked, or disbelieving. They may try to convince themselves that the loss isn’t real or that it hasn’t really happened yet.

The second stage of grief is anger. As the reality of their loss sets in, people may feel angry and resentful. They may direct their anger at others, including loved ones, or at themselves. They may feel that the loss is unfair or unjust, and they may struggle to find meaning or purpose in what has happened.

The third stage of grief is bargaining. In this stage, people may try to make deals or bargains in an attempt to change the outcome of their loss. They may try to negotiate with a higher power or with themselves, hoping that if they do or say the right things, the loss will be reversed or mitigated in some way.

The fourth stage of grief is depression. As the reality of their loss becomes more fully realized, people may feel a deep sense of sadness and despair. They may withdraw from others or feel a sense of hopelessness about the future. They may struggle to find joy or pleasure in things they used to enjoy.

The final stage of grief is acceptance. In this stage, people begin to come to terms with their loss and to find ways to move forward. They may start to see a glimmer of hope or a new sense of purpose in their lives. They may feel more at peace with what has happened and more able to integrate their loss into their sense of self.

It’s important to note that not everyone experiences these stages of grief, and not everyone experiences them in the same order or to the same degree. Grief is a highly individual process, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. However, understanding these stages can be helpful in recognizing and acknowledging the complex emotions that can arise in response to loss, and in finding support and resources to help navigate the grieving process.

There are many coping skills and methods to help work through grief. Call and make an appointment today.

606-657-0532