Children may be reminded by persons, places, things, situations, anniversaries, or by feelings such as renewed fear or sadness. These reminders are linked to aspects of the traumatic experience, its circumstances, and its aftermath. Traumatic experiences leave a legacy of reminders that may persist for years. There may be ongoing criminal or civil proceedings. They may now be living with injury or disability to themselves or others. These can include changes in where they live, where they attend school, who they’re living with, and their daily routines. Traumatic experiences can set in motion a cascade of changes in children’s lives that can be challenging and difficult. Adult survivors of traumatic events may also have difficulty in establishing fulfilling relationships and maintaining employment. Traumatic stress can also lead to increased use of health and mental health services and increased involvement with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Research shows that child trauma survivors can be more likely to have long-term health problems (e.g., diabetes and heart disease) or to die at an earlier age. Without treatment, repeated childhood exposure to traumatic events can affect the brain and nervous system and increase health-risk behaviors (e.g., smoking, eating disorders, substance use, and high-risk activities). The way that traumatic stress manifests will vary from child to child and will depend on the child’s age and developmental level. Even infants and toddlers can experience traumatic stress.

At no age are children immune to the effects of traumatic experiences. Although many of us may experience reactions to stress from time to time, when a child is experiencing traumatic stress, these reactions interfere with the child’s daily life and ability to function and interact with others. Older children may use drugs or alcohol, behave in risky ways, or engage in unhealthy sexual activity.Ĭhildren who suffer from traumatic stress often have these types of symptoms when reminded in some way of the traumatic event. Traumatic reactions can include a variety of responses, such as intense and ongoing emotional upset, depressive symptoms or anxiety, behavioral changes, difficulties with self-regulation, problems relating to others or forming attachments, regression or loss of previously acquired skills, attention and academic difficulties, nightmares, difficulty sleeping and eating, and physical symptoms, such as aches and pains. What Is Child Traumatic Stress?Ĭhildren who suffer from child traumatic stress are those who have been exposed to one or more traumas over the course of their lives and develop reactions that persist and affect their daily lives after the events have ended. When children have been in situations where they feared for their lives, believed that they would be injured, witnessed violence, or tragically lost a loved one, they may show signs of child traumatic stress. Military family-related stressors (e.g., deployment, parental loss or injury).Serious accidents or life-threatening illness.Refugee and war experiences (including torture).Traumatic separation (including as part of an immigration journey or incarceration).Substance use disorder (personal or familial).Terrorism, mass violence, and school shootings.Physical, sexual, or psychological abuse and neglect (including trafficking).This danger can come from outside of the family (such as a natural disaster, car accident, school shooting, or community violence) or from within the family, such as domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or the unexpected death of a loved one.

Children who experience an inability to protect themselves or who lacked protection from others to avoid the consequences of the traumatic experience may also feel overwhelmed by the intensity of physical and emotional responses.Įven though adults work hard to keep children safe, dangerous events still happen. Children may feel terror, helplessness, or fear, as well as physiological reactions such as heart pounding, vomiting, or loss of bowel or bladder control.

Traumatic experiences can initiate strong emotions and physical reactions that can persist long after the event. This is particularly important for young children as their sense of safety depends on the perceived safety of their attachment figures. Witnessing a traumatic event that threatens life or physical security of a loved one can also be traumatic. A traumatic event is a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or bodily integrity.

Signs of developmental trauma in adults