More About Trauma and Stress

Some children will have prolonged problems after a traumatic event. These may include grief, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children may show a range of symptoms:

• Re-experiencing the event
  • Through play
  • Through trauma-specific nightmares/ dreams
  • In flashbacks and unwanted memories
  • By distress over events that remind them of the trauma
• Avoidance of reminders of the event
• Lack of responsiveness
• Lack of interest in things that used to interest them
• A sense of having “no future”
• Increased sleep disturbances
• Irritability
• Poor concentration
• Be easily startled
• Behavior from earlier life stages.

Children experience trauma differently. It is difficult to tell how many will develop mental health problems. Some trauma survivors get better with only good support. Others need counseling by a mental health professional.

If, after a month in a safe environment:

• Children are not able to perform normal routines
• New symptoms develop

Then, contact a health professional.

Some people are more sensitive to trauma. Factors influencing how one may respond include:

• Being directly involved in the trauma, especially as a victim
• Severe and/or prolonged exposure to the event
• Personal history of prior trauma
• Family or personal history of mental illness and severe behavioral problems
• Lack of social support
• Lack of caring family and friends
• On-going life stressors such as moving to a new home, or new school, divorce, job change, financial troubles.

Some symptoms may require immediate attention. Contact a mental health professional if these symptoms occur:

• Flashbacks
• Racing heart and sweating
• Being easily startled
• Being emotionally numb
• Being very sad or depressed
• Thoughts or actions to end life

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