Helping Children Who Experienced Traumatic Events
A trauma is any time that a child is involved in or witnesses harm to themselves or others and it causes concern for the safety or the safety of others. A shooting at a school or other public event can cause significant loss and fear among those who were physically harmed and all those who witnessed the events or were in fear after learning of the events.
Some children are affected physically, emotionally or both after a trauma. It is normal for our bodies to go “on alert” after experiencing trauma. In the first few days after a stressful event, a child may experience symptoms such as these:
Physical
- Jumpiness, easily startled
- Change in appetite
- Physical complaints with no physical cause found such as stomachaches, headaches
- Tired
- Increased sleep, difficulty sleeping or falling asleep
Emotional/Behavioral
- Excessive crying
- Refusal to return to school/Clingy behaviors
- Increased agitation
- Persistent fears related to the event
- May struggle to focus at school or at the dinner table
- Withdrawal from family, friends, sadness, listlessness, decreased activity
Typically, reactions to trauma can be brief and children recover without any problems. We want to make sure your child is doing the best they can and sometimes they may need extra help.
Resources
Coping with traumatic stress reactions and reminders: