Understanding Trauma and Its Effects on Children

Trauma is an overwhelming, surprising and unpredictable event or experience, which can occur and interrupt a child’s most casual moments.

• Every child copes with trauma differently. How children react to trauma often depends on their age, developmental level, personality and previous experiences.
• Some children have reactions to trauma immediately after an event. Others have reactions weeks or months later.
• Some traumatic events are over quickly, but memories of them can last much longer. Certain sights, sounds and smells might trigger thoughts.
• Some children are traumatized by a single event. Others are traumatized repeatedly.
• Children often think that a traumatic event will happen again; they can find it difficult to believe that it won’t be repeated.

Trauma causes physical and psychological reactions. For instance, children might have:

• Trouble sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Jumpiness
• Nightmares
• Feelings of detachment 
• Flashbacks
• Feelings of insecurity
• Sudden fears
• Increased breathing rate
• Phobias
• Increased blood pressure

Here are some things you can do and some things you shouldn’t do.

Do:

• Listen carefully.
• Let them know they’re safe.
• Allow them to show all kinds of emotions.
• Answer their questions honestly.
• Spend extra time with them.
• Hug, with permission.
• Support them, even when they’re in a bad mood.
• Encourage them to play.
• Maintain a consistent routine.
• Let them have some private time.
• Offer choices, whenever possible.
• Remain calm when around them.
• Expect some regression (going back) in behavior and skills. (For example, they might have toileting accidents.)
• Let them re-tell the traumatic event.
• Give them time to heal their physical and emotional wounds.
• Remember “firsts” and anniversaries (for example, the first holiday after a trauma).
• Take care of yourself.

Don’t:

• Force children to talk.
• Minimize or make light of their feelings.
• Make big changes while they’re adjusting.
• Lie to them.
• Expose children to violent images or movies, or reminders of trauma.
• Let children hurt themselves or others.
• Blame children for causing a traumatic event.
• Ignore their concerns or feelings.

To learn more about treatment options at Gillette for patients who have experienced trauma, contact Child and Family Services at 651-229-3855.