How Children of Different Ages React
Children at different ages react differently to trauma. It is important to know what behaviors your child may express and to understand that these behaviors are normal methods children sometimes use to cope with the situation. These behaviors are intended as a guideline. If your child displays severe symptoms or behavior that may be harmful to himself or others, please contact your physician or contact us for consultation.
Select the age of your child:
5 years of age and younger
6 to 11 years old
12 to 17 years old
Children 5 Years of Age and Younger
Typical reactions can include a fear of being separated from the parent, crying, whimpering, screaming, immobility and/or aimless motion, trembling, frightened facial expressions, and excessive clinging.
Parents may also notice children returning to behaviors exhibited at earlier ages (these are called regressive behaviors), such as thumb-sucking, bedwetting, and fear of darkness. Children in this age group tend to be strongly affected by their parents' reactions to the traumatic event.
Children 6 to 11 Years Old
This age group may show extreme withdrawal, disruptive behavior, and/or inability to pay attention. Regressive behaviors, nightmares, sleep problems, irrational fears, irritability, refusal to attend school, outbursts of anger, and fighting are also common in traumatized children of this age. Also, the child may complain of stomach aches or other bodily symptoms that have no medical basis. Schoolwork often suffers. Depression, anxiety, feelings of guilt, and emotional numbing or "flatness" are often present as well.
Adolescents 12 to 17 Years Old
Pre-teens and teens may exhibit responses similar to those of adults, including:
- flashbacks
- nightmares
- emotional numbing
- avoidance of any reminders of the traumatic event
- depression
- substance abuse
- problems with peers
- anti-social behavior
Also common are withdrawal and isolation, physical complaints, suicidal thoughts, school avoidance, academic decline, sleep disturbances, and confusion. The adolescent may feel extreme guilt over his or her failure to prevent injury or loss of life, and may harbor revenge fantasies that interfere with recovery from the trauma.