Changes in behavior are a natural reaction to incidents of community violence. But when the distress is severe or lasting, you may be facing childhood trauma. Here are some common signs children at different ages exhibit in response to community violence that – over time – may signal that your child is experiencing trauma.
Preschool Children (Birth to 6)
- Cries more than usual
- Screams more than usual
- Changes eating habits
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Hard for an adult to calm a child down
- Startles more easily
- Develops new fears
- Has nightmares
- Wets the bed
- Becomes more fearful
- Has more trouble separating from parents
- Increases in temper tantrums
- Complains of headaches or stomachaches
- Continues to ask many questions about the incident or (if relevant) about death over time
- Continues to recreate the incident in play over time
- Develops new fears
- Goes back to behaviors they already outgrew (for example, thumbsucking or being afraid of the dark)
- Becomes unusually withdrawn and quiet
Elementary Schoolers (Ages 7 to 11)
- Seems sadder than usual
- Wants to be left alone a lot
- Becomes hyperactive
- Is more anxious
- Gets startled by loud noises
- Has outbursts of anger
- Returns to old fears or develops new fears
- Changes eating patterns (eating more or less than usual)
- Complains of headaches or stomachaches
- Has nightmares
- Becomes unusually withdrawn and quiet
- Appears numb
- Seems unfocused or distracted
- Becomes more aggressive, fighting more
- Has trouble concentrating
- Gets into trouble a lot at school and/or at home
- Worries about their own or others’ safety
- Becomes clingy with teachers or parents
- Repeatedly tells others about the traumatic incident over time
- Continues to express fears that the event will happen again over time
- Shows changes in school performance
- Feels guilt or shame
Teenagers (Ages 12 to 18)
- Discusses the traumatic event repeatedly and in detail over time
- Denies that the violent event ever took place
- Develops eating disorders
- Begins self-harming behaviors, such as cutting
- Starts using or abusing alcohol, tobacco or drugs
- Feels depressed or alone
- Becomes unusually withdrawn and quiet
- Thinks about wanting to die or committing suicide
- Experiments with risky behaviors, like driving too fast
- Complains about being tired all the time
- Stops following rules
- Doesn’t want to leave the house or spends more time away from home
- Has trouble sleeping and/or nightmares
- Rebels at school or home
- Refuses to go places that remind him or her of the violent incident
- Becomes sexually active
- Starts skipping school
- Becomes a perpetrator or victim of violent dating relationships
- Breaks the law or destroys property