Like adults, most children's reactions diminish

over time. Parents and other adults can help the

If the following common reactions continue for more
than a few days they should alert parents to the
Posttraumatic
recovery process in the following ways:

● Keep communicating: talk about what is

possibility of more serious trauma reactions and the
need for further help: Stress Disorder
happening and how family members feel.This ● Severe and continued sleep disturbance
helps prevent children from feeling alone, ● Severe anxiety on separation from loved ones
isolated and misunderstood ● Continued fears about things which may remind
● Reassure children that they are safe and will be the child of the trauma GENERAL INFORMATION
cared for ● Behaviour problems at home or school
● Listen and talk to them about the experience.
Honest, open discussion is best - even very
● Self-doubts, a desire for withdrawal or other
significant changes in emotions or personality
Trauma
young children know something has happened.
Like adults, the unknown is often more
frightening than the reality for children
● A return to "babyish" behaviour that the child
had grown out of Reactions
● Some children will need extra encouragement
or special attention, especially at bedtime
If you are concerned, talk to your family doctor,
community health centre or school counsellor.
in Children
● Allow expression of emotions - they are part You may wish to ask for a referral to a mental health
of the healing process; support the child and practitioner who specialises in child trauma.The No 6 in the PTSD series of
allow them time to work through it
department of psychiatry in your local children’s Australian Centre brochures
● Do things as a family and make sure time is
hospital is also a good source of information, support
reserved for enjoyable and rewarding
and treatment if required.
experiences together; shared pleasure carries a
family through many difficulties
● Keep family roles clear. Don't expect children To find out more about PTSD, other veteran
to take too much responsibility but, equally, do and military mental health issues or the
not become too overprotective.
Australian Centre, please contact us at:
AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR POSTTRAUMATIC
When To Seek Assistance MENTAL HEALTH (INC.)
A&RMC, 300 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg Heights
Like adults, most children will adapt and grow
3081 AUSTRALIA.
through crisis with the love and support of their
family and friends. However, if the child's reactions Telephone: (03) 9496 2922
are particularly severe or prolonged, or if you have Facsimile: (03) 9496 2830
other concerns about the way your child is reacting Email: acpmh-info@unimelb.edu.au
to a traumatic incident, contact someone who is WebSite: www.acpmh.unimelb.edu.au
trained to assess the situation and advise you.
 The following signs may be seen in children ● Fearfulness, especially at night or when
What is PTSD? following trauma, but do not necessarily indicate separated from parents
the existence of PTSD. Most are normal and will ● Sleep disturbance and nightmares
resolve in time with the help of caring family ● Grizzling, whining and irritability
STRESS DISORDER
P OSTTRAUMATIC
(PTSD) is a specific psychological
reaction that may occur in response to
members and friends. However, if signs are too
severe or last too long, they may indicate the
need for professional assistance.
ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS
Children may develop several associated problems
the experience of traumatic events. following trauma, including:
It can affect people of any age, culture RELIVING THE TRAUMA
or gender. PTSD comprises three groups In traumatised children, reliving may occur in: ● Aches and pains
of symptoms.The first relates to ● Bed wetting
● Repetitive play that re-enacts the trauma ● General misbehaviour and "naughtiness"
re-experiencing the trauma, which can
● Distressing dreams of the event that may evolve ● Tantrums and attention seeking behaviour
take the form of repetitive thoughts, into general nightmares of monsters or of ● Poor school performance, loss of motivation
memories and dreams.The second group threats to self or significant others ● Sometimes, experience of trauma can result in
involves avoidance of reminders, ● In cases of traumatic loss, children often report other problems in the child's development
withdrawal from social interaction and experiencing "ghosts" of loved ones
difficulty in responding emotionally ● Disorganised or agitated behaviour Occasionally, the onset of these problems may be
to others.The third group involves ● Preoccupation with other traumatic events delayed until some time after the trauma. Often
heightened arousal, with reduced sleep, these signs are misunderstood - it appears the
increased jumpiness and prominent anger. AVOIDANCE AND NUMBING
child is just being naughty. However, they may be
While less common in children than in adults, the
indicators of a traumatic stress reaction and should
following signs may be present:
Post Trauma Symptoms be given careful attention.
in Children ● Social withdrawal and wanting to be alone
● Loss of interest in significant activities
PTSD may develop in children.Their responses to ● A sense of foreshortened future: being unable How Can You Help?
trauma may, however, differ in important ways to to imagine themselves as grown up
● A return to "babyish" behaviour Parental responses are very important in helping
those seen in adults. Children may find it difficult to
the child to cope with the aftermath of trauma.
understand what has happened.They may be unable
AROUSAL It is important for parents to recognise that the
to describe how they are feeling and instead may
Following trauma, children may become tense and child's behaviour may be part of a traumatic stress
express themselves in other ways. Children
frightened.This may be expressed through: response, rather than willful behaviour. It is crucial
respond to trauma in a range of ways - there is no
not to become angry and blame the child for this
typical or "normal" reaction. Nevertheless, some ● Attention and concentration problems behaviour.
responses are common. ● Clinging, dependent behaviour