Physiological Reactions;
Sleep disturbances, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, excessive startle response, nightmares, decreased or increased appetite, sensitivity to noise, regression, crying spells, headache and symptoms such as chest pains, shortness of breath, nausea or burning, fatigue occur.
Psychological Reactions;
Isolation (withdrawal), loneliness, Symptoms such as shock, insecurity, helplessness, anger, hopelessness, guilt, sadness, forgetfulness, questioning beliefs, and sudden mood changes occur.
Traumatic Stress Reactions of 0-3 Years-Old Children
Symptoms such as crying, needing to be held and touched frequently, clinging to parents, sleep problems, nightmares, regressive behaviors such as bedwetting, thumb sucking, speech retardation, aggression or timidity occur.
What Can Be Done?
Establishing a routine for bedtime and mealtime, giving the child the attention they need, communicating with them in a gentle and soft tone, cuddling them frequently,
Traumatic Stress Reactions of 4-6 Years-Old Children
Fear of loneliness, crying, constantly playing earthquakes in games, clinging to parents Since the abstract thinking skills are not developed, physical complaints such as difficulties in making sense of death and similar situations, regression in behavior, tantrums, stomachache, and headache occur.
What Can Be Done?
It is necessary to allow children to express their feelings by approving their feelings, by talking, painting, playing games, and to make explanations appropriate to their age and realistically, considering that their abstract thinking skills do not develop. For example; In case of loss of a relative; Short and clear statements should be made, such as "He is no longer with us and will not be". It should be avoided to make unrealistic explanations such as sleeping, watching us from the sky, or going to the sky, which will confuse the child even more.
Traumatic Stress Reactions of 6-11 Years-Old Children
regression in behavior, anger Symptoms such as seizures, stomachaches and headaches, anxiety, increased fear, sleep problems, dealing with the concept of death and talking about death all the time, being withdrawn, starting to not enjoy the things one loves.
Because this age group goes to school, the traumatic event can directly affect school life. Fears about school may occur, they may not want to go to school, and academic achievement declines may occur. As a result, feelings of anger, guilt, and failure may develop.
What Can Be Done?
As these children's abstract thinking skills develop, more detailed answers should be given to questions about death and earthquakes, and children should be directed to safe sources to learn what they are curious about. They may be worried about the reoccurrence of the earthquake. Instead of saying "it won't happen again, it's over", talk to the children about what could happen again but is safe now, and what your plan is if it happens again. In this process, school continuity should be ensured. Routine life outside of school should be planned. To questions about how the earthquake occurred, explanations such as "Our world consists of large pieces of water and land, these large pieces of land we live on from time to time collide and there is a shaking" should be made.
It should be honest about what happened and information should not be hidden, unnecessary details should not be given, the information that the earthquake caused the collapse of some buildings and that the relevant institutions and their volunteers are working to help should be explained in an appropriate language.
Children should not be exposed to negative images on television or other means of communication. This applies to children of all age groups. The need for security and intimacy should be considered, and they should stay together with family members and loved ones. Daily life routines should be established and the feeling of security should be reinforced. If he wants to sleep together at night, this is acceptable for a while.
Traumatic Stress Reactions of 11-18 Years-Old Children
Reluctance, sleep problems, adjustment problems, oppositional and rejection behaviors , headache and stomachache, nausea Symptoms such as avoidance of earthquake reminders, places or people, avoiding talking about the earthquake, turning to harmful habits (tobacco, alcohol), staying away from family and friends, being overly sensitive, angry, and not enjoying the things one loves.
This period is the adolescence period. That is why it is called an important period. They may feel negative, feelings, thoughts, helplessness, anxiety, and guilt about the future. They may ask a variety of questions rather than the need to know whether everyone has similar feelings and thoughts and whether they have fears.
What Can Be Done?
To provide a sense of security, to share her feelings and thoughts, to make limited use of social media, to explain why unfounded and fearful videos are made, to realize what is under control and what is going well, in case of a possible earthquake share a detail about it and that you have a plan to be safe. Let's not forget that if this situation continues for 3-4 weeks, psychological support is required.
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