Humanitarian Week 2022

Day 5: Trauma

Trauma and Children

  • More than two thirds of children reported at least 1 traumatic event by age 16

  • Children are more vulnerable to trauma because of their size, age, and dependence

  • Potentially traumatic events include:

    • Psychological, physical, or sexual abuse

    • Community or school violence

    • Witnessing or experiencing domestic violence

    • National disasters or terrorism

    • Commercial sexual exploitation

    • Sudden or violent loss of a loved one

    • Refugee or war experiences

    • Military family-related stressors (e.g., deployment, parental loss or injury)

    • Physical or sexual assault

    • Neglect

    • Serious accidents or life-threatening illness

Signs and Symptoms of Trauma

The signs of traumatic stress may be different in each child1: 

  • Preschool Children

    • Fear being separated from their parent/caregiver

    • Cry or scream a lot

    • Eat poorly or lose weight

    • Have nightmares

  • Elementary School Children

    • Become anxious or fearful

    • Feel guilt or shame

    • Have a hard time concentrating

    • Have difficulty sleeping

  • Middle and High School Children

    • Feel depressed or alone

    • Develop eating disorders or self-harming behaviors

    • Begin abusing alcohol or drugs

    • Become involved in risky sexual behavior

Lasting Impacts of Trauma

  • Trauma is a risk factor for nearly all behavioral health and substance use disorders.1

  • After a crisis or traumatic event, a child is at risk of developing traumatic stress. About 25% of victims and witnesses of violence develop PTSD, depression or anxiety disorders.2

  • Traumatic stress can interfere with children’s ability to concentrate and learn. Exposure in infancy and early childhood can seriously delay development of their brains and bodies.2

  • Serious, ongoing traumatic stress reactions that include intrusive thoughts and images, strong emotional and physical reactions to reminders of the trauma, avoidance, and a sense of “being on alert” are hallmarks of traumatic stress. If symptoms persist after 60 day, an evaluation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is recommended.2

Sources:

“Understanding Child Trauma.” SAMHSA. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, September 27, 2022. https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma/understanding-child-trauma. 

Wong, Marleen. “Basic Facts about Child Trauma.” The Melissa Institute. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Accessed November 6, 2022. https://melissainstitute.org/.