Managing Traumatic Stress in Children: Guidelines for Parents and Carers

Traumatic events, sometimes referred to as critical incidents, tend to be sudden and unexpected by the individuals involved. Such events may include natural disaster (eg. earthquakes and floods), combat, vehicle accidents, or physical assault. While many of the people involved in these events may escape physical injury, there is often a serious emotional toll. It is common for people who have experienced traumatic situations to have very strong emotional reactions.

Different people respond to trauma in different ways. However, the following adverse effects have been commonly seen among trauma survivors:

• Intense and unpredictable feelings including irritability, anxiety, and anger.
• Repeated vivid memories (or “flashbacks”) of the event, often accompanied by physical reactions such as rapid heart beat and breathing.
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions.
• Disrupted sleeping and eating patterns.
• Recurring emotional reactions, particularly when reminded of the event by anniversaries or similar environments/situations to those in which the event occurred.
• Strained interpersonal relationships, possibly due to social withdrawal (lack of interaction and communication with others) or increased conflict.
• Headaches, nausea, and chest pain. If these symptoms are experienced, medical attention should be sought immediately.

What about children exposed to trauma?

Different people respond to trauma in different ways. Some will experience a range of adverse symptoms almost immediately, while others will not be affected at all. A range of factors determine the extent to which people will be affected by disasters and traumatic events, including level of exposure, general stress coping ability, and developmental level (ie. age and maturity).

Children, in particular, are at considerable risk of being affected by traumatic events. They are likely to have more difficulty than adults in understanding these events and may, for example, develop irrational beliefs or fears regarding the possibility of future trauma. Some children may regress and demonstrate younger behaviours such as thumb sucking or bed wetting. They may also experience vivid nightmares and express a fear of sleeping alone. Some children begin acting out while others may withdraw.

How do I respond to children’s special needs?

Parents and carers may employ the following strategies to help reduce or resolve the emotional consequences of trauma:

• Attempt to spend more time with children. Allowing them to be more dependent upon you creates feelings of safety and security. Physical affection is also very comforting to children who have been through highly stressful experiences.
• Acknowledge the difficulty that some children have with communicating their feelings and experiences. Providing play experiences may help relieve tension and enable children to communicate more easily. For example, younger children in particular may find it easier to share their thoughts about an event through drawing or painting.
• Encourage older children to speak with you, and with others, about the event. Discussing their thoughts and feelings about trauma helps reduce confusion and anxiety. You should also respond to questions in terms that they can understand. Don’t use “psychobabble”!!
• Provide frequent reassurance that you care about your children and that you understand their fears and concerns.
• Try and stick to your usual household schedules or activities to help restore a sense of security and normality.

When should I seek professional help for my children?

In the vast majority of cases, trauma symptoms such as those described above recede reasonably quickly following the event (ie. days or weeks). However, some parents or carers may find that their children continue to display symptoms that create distress and interfere with daily living. Continual and aggressive emotional outbursts, serious problems at school, preoccupation with the traumatic event, continued and extreme withdrawal, and other signs of intense anxiety or emotional difficulties all suggest the need for professional assistance. A qualified mental health professional can help children and their parents understand and deal with thoughts, feelings and behaviours that result from trauma.

Please do not hesitate to contact an appropriate mental health provider if you are concerned about the emotional well-being of your child. Remember, the earlier the child is provided with assistance, the sooner he/she will recover.

1st Psychology Unit contact details:

1st Psychology Unit
Randwick Barracks
Avoca St.
RANDWICK NSW 2031
tel: (02) 9349 0599; mob: 0412 825 642