Know ways to identify signs of trauma in your kids

After some disturbing episodes in the life, it is obvious that kids may be disturbed. Certainly, teachers and parents do their best to help kids cope with their anxiety. But anxiety is not cured completely, there are chances it can develop as a trauma in kids.

Most of the kids will rebound without suffering long-term effects. But some children are more at risk for experiencing long-term pain. These kids include those who have lost a close friend and those who learned about an event or loss in a very upsetting way.

Even as you try to soothe and comfort your child, it’s important to know when you might need to seek professional help.

There are some clear signs that your child might be traumatized. They could need some additional help with their emotions if they:

Some of the symptoms of trauma in children (and adults) closely mimic depression, including too much or too little sleep, loss of appetite or overeating, unexplained irritability and anger, and problems focusing on projects, school work, and conversation. Sometimes the symptoms appear more like an anxiety disorder—obsessive or pervasive worry, difficulty separating from parents.

· Experience grief 3 to 6 months after the event happened

· Have become fascinated by death

· Have become obsessed with their safety

· Suddenly have problems with sleeping, eating, anger or attention

· Are triggered by things like the birthday of someone who died

· Continue to refuse to go to school because that is where the upsetting event happened

In extreme cases, children can develop post-traumatic stress disorder, but even less extreme PTSD-like symptoms can interfere with a child’s life and happiness. Stress and trauma can look different in girls and boys. Typically, boys tend to react more quickly and with more irritation and anger. Girls may take longer to react and keep their feelings inside.