Traumas can have devastating effects on children. Although the emotions experienced by children after the traumatic event are similar to those of an adult, their behavioral reactions differ from those of adults. Children may not have the language ability to describe the stress, anxiety and/or fear they experience as adults. This can generally be observed in proportion to the age at which they experienced the traumatic event. Below and other visuals, first of all the common behavioral changes, and then the behavioral changes that are likely to be seen according to age groups are given. These may vary according to the trauma experienced and the development of the child, but give average information.
Common Behavioral Changes
-Recurrent abdominal and/or physical complaints such as headache, nausea
-Alertness, quick startles
-Sleep-related problems: Recurring nightmares, resistance to going to bed, problems falling asleep or staying asleep
-Anger tantrums, decreased tolerance, irritability
- Normally showing interest indifference to situations
-Getting away from family members and/or friends, refraining from social activities
-Feeling as if reliving the event, remembering the images and sounds of the event
-Experiencing intense distress when encountering places, objects and/or people that remind of the event.
In children aged 6 and under;
-Being attached to parents is a dependent stance
-Crying state
-Behaviors under development level and age: Bedwetting at night, thumb sucking, not speaking while talking.
-Increased fear states: Sleeping alone resistance, fear of the dark or monsters, and not wanting to be alone. For example; such as telling or picturing the parent beating the child through parent and child characters.
Children aged 6-11;
-Problems at school: Problems in listening to lectures and focusing, decrease in school success
-Unfounded Fears: Thoughts of anxiety and hopelessness about the future.
-Be intolerant, nervous or otherwise unhappy, sad ma.
Young people aged 12-17;
-Problems at school: Problems in listening and focusing, decrease in school success
-Tobacco Beginning of substance use, such as alcohol or drugs
-Inclination to crime
-Destructive and offensive behaviors towards people around them
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