By the mere age of 16 years old, more than two-thirds of children report experiencing a traumatic event (or multiple). Sometimes, that trauma came from a direct experience, like physical abuse or sexual assault. Often, it comes from witnessing something traumatic, like a school shooting or death of a loved one. However, trauma has no boundaries. Any frightening or life-threatening event can be traumatic and carry long-term negative effects.
This is especially true for children and adolescents. Due to their stage of brain development, children and teenagers are very susceptible to adverse experiences and the mental health consequences that can stir. As such, it’s important for parents and caregivers to react and respond quickly and appropriately.
In this article, we’ll unpack the effects of trauma in childhood and adolescence, and how they can impact young people long-term. We’ll also dive into the “why” behind this impact, and show where parents can play a role.
For more information on understanding trauma in children and teens, check out our guide here.
What are the Effects of Trauma at a Young Age?
The effects of trauma are not always clearly defined. The changes you’ll see in one person might look different in another, especially depending on their age and stage of development. In general, though, trauma has the power to disrupt a young person’s brain development, emotional regulation, and bodily health. Children and teens who have experienced prolonged trauma, or multiple traumatic events, are more likely to develop longer-term issues after the event(s) have occurred.
Trauma can have both short- and long-term effects. Short-term effects occur immediately after the traumatic event, and may involve changes in emotions, behavior, or thought patterns. Long-term effects can extend into adulthood if the trauma is severe and, typically, is left unaddressed. In children and teenagers, the effects of trauma typically involve the following.
Short-term effects of trauma in children and adolescents:
- Fear, anxiety, or constantly feeling unsafe
- Sadness, hopelessness, and other signs of depression
- Irritability or frequent anger outbursts
- Guilt, shame, and/or self-blame
- Lack of self-worth, confidence, and self-love
- Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from others
- Withdrawal from friends and activities they once loved
- Clinginess to attachment figures (especially in younger children)
- Risk-taking behaviors (especially in adolescents)
- Aggressive or defiant behavior, including tantrums in young children
- Regressive behaviors, such as bedwetting or thumb-sucking in younger children
- Changes in eating habits
- Trouble sleeping, with nightmares or insomnia being a cause
- Easily startled
- Low energy and fatigue
- Headaches or stomachaches without a clear cause
- Difficulty concentrating and retaining information
- Intrusive thoughts or memories, specifically of the event
- Declining academic performance
Long-term effects of trauma in children and adolescents:
- Development of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Ongoing panic attacks, getting in the way of enjoying life fully
- Self-harm behaviors and/or suicidal thoughts (more common in adolescents)
- Low self-esteem and struggles building relationships as a result
- Struggles with emotional regulation and impulse control
- Inability to trust other people
- Frequent, intense reactions to stress
- Poor responses to conflict
- Trouble with paying attention, learning, and memory (leading to lower academic achievement)
- Inability to plan, organize, and stay on top of tasks
- Higher risk of chronic health disorders, such as heart disease or diabetes in adulthood
- Sleep disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Weakened immune system, due to chronic stress
It’s also important to note that trauma can affect young people differently, depending on the age at which the event or events occurred. For example, young children (typically under 5 years old) who experience trauma are more likely to experience separation anxiety, developmental regressions, and sleep issues. School-age children are more likely to withdraw from social experiences and have difficulty concentrating in school (or struggle in going to school altogether). Meanwhile, teenagers dealing with trauma are more likely to face issues with their mental health, or put themselves at risk through substance abuse, reckless driving, unprotected sex, and self-harm.
While these effects are possible and can be common as a person grows up, it’s important to note that they are not inevitable. Not every child who experiences trauma will develop these conditions or feel long-term effects. Many children with stable home environments and supportive relationships, combined with therapy, will go on to recover and live very fulfilling, productive lives.
Why Does Trauma Affect Children and Teens So Much?
When any person encounters a stressful experience, their body goes into fight-or-flight mode. This is our body’s natural response to stay safe and survive when it senses danger. While most reactions to stress are normal and resolve in short periods of time, problems can occur when the body’s stress response remains active after the “threat” or event has passed.
In the case of traumatic events that are severe, repeated, or prolonged, the risk of lingering effects is high. This is because the body’s stress-response system becomes dysregulated, flooded with hormones like cortisol that can take a toll on one’s mental and physical health.
This is especially true for children and teenagers, whose brains are still developing. They are forming new neurons and pathways that affect emotional regulation, decision-making, learning, and social relationships. This development concludes around a person’s mid-twenties. Until then, adverse experiences can significantly disrupt developmental processes. How? By repeatedly activating the body’s stress-response system.
Learn more about the effects of trauma on the body and brain here.
Trauma in childhood and adolescence, then, has the potential to disturb one’s emotional regulation, attention and memory, language development, social development, and ability to respond to stress in a healthy way. It can also increase their risk of mental health issues. Specifically, studies have linked trauma during childhood to a higher likelihood of developing anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, heart disease, and other health conditions later in life.
Because children and adolescents are also still developing their sense of identity, traumatic experiences can disrupt that progress. It can interfere with developmental milestones, making it more difficult for young people to build healthy attachments and develop resilience. Difficulties in school, social relationships, and emotional functioning can compound over time if early trauma is not addressed.
What Can Parents Do to Prevent the Negative Effects of Trauma in Children?
While trauma in children and teens is a harrowing reality, there’s a silver lining to it all: Children and adolescents are highly adaptable. Because the developing brain is in a state of change, it has high neuroplasticity, and therefore a high capacity for recovery. When children feel safe, stable, and supported, they are more likely to recover from trauma and carry out healthy lives long-term.
Parents can play a key role in ensuring that this is the case. As explained by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
“Young people often need time and emotional support to feel secure again after experiencing trauma or a disaster. Their reactions are influenced by how parents, relatives, teachers, and caregivers respond. These individuals provide comfort and stability, and play a vital role by maintaining normal routines or establishing new ones after a crisis. With proper caregiving and access to trauma-informed services, many children recover and thrive.”
So, if you are a parent or caregiver whose loved one has experienced a traumatic event, do not hesitate to step in and offer your support. Listen to your child, validate their emotions, and do not exercise judgement or opinions. Offer only your love, support, and a safe place for them to heal. You may look for outside support, as well, to help them cope and recover.
For teens and children who have experienced trauma, professional intervention is often recommended. Evidence-based therapies, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can significantly reduce and mitigate the long-term effects of trauma in childhood.
Turnbridge offers trauma-informed therapy and mental health care for adolescents and young adults struggling. If your child has been facing ongoing issues since a traumatic experience, such as frequent panic attacks, nightmares, depression, or concerning behaviors like self-harm, know that we are always here and just one call away. Contact 877-581-1793 to speak to a mental health specialist.