As a parent, it’s one of our primary purposes to ensure our children have a good life. We make decisions in the best interests and do whatever we can to make them feel safe. Unfortunately, though, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) still happen. In fact, according to the CDC, the vast majority of high school students (75%) have experienced an adverse event in their childhood. These events – abuse, violence, neglect, and beyond – are often very traumatic, leading to mental health struggles long-term. 

Children and teenagers are especially vulnerable after traumatic events or disasters. Their brains are in a critical period of development, and the stress that trauma brings can disrupt their brain’s progress. As a result, young people often need a lot of emotional support, therapy, and time to feel secure after a traumatic event takes place. 

If you are concerned your son, daughter, or loved one is struggling with the aftermath of trauma, it’s important to educate yourself and get help immediately. The way you respond, and the support you pursue now, has the potential to prevent deeper-seated issues with trauma long-term. Read on to learn all about trauma in childhood and adolescence. 

The Different Types of Trauma in Children and Teens 

First you may be wondering, what classifies as a traumatic event in childhood? How worried should you be? In general, a traumatic event is an occurrence that is extremely frightening or threatening to one’s safety or life. It can happen directly to a child, such as physical abuse, or a child may witness it happening to someone they love. The result is a high level of emotional, psychological, and often physical distress. 

In children, common types of traumatic experiences include: 

• Abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional/psychological) 

• Neglect as a child 

• Family or community violence 

• Discrimination  

• Bullying 

• Sudden or violent loss of a loved one 

• Traumatic separation from family/attachment figures 

• Serious, life-threatening accidents or illness 

• Natural disasters or terrorism 

• Extreme poverty or loss of property 

• Military, war, or refugee-related stressors in family 

What Trauma Looks Like in Childhood and Adolescence 

Trauma affects children and teens differently than adults, and its signs often vary depending on a child’s age and stage of development. While every child responds differently, the following behaviors may indicate that a young person is struggling after a traumatic experience. 

Preschool Children: 

• Become unusually clingy, fearful, or distressed, especially when separated from caregivers 

• Have frequent tantrums, increased irritability, crying, or disruptive behavior 

• Revert to earlier developmental behaviors, such as bed-wetting or thumb-sucking 

• Develop new fears (such as fear of the dark, being alone, or monsters) or have nightmares 

• Experience sudden and noticeable changes in appetite 

• Reenact or repeatedly include aspects of the traumatic event during play 

Elementary School Children: 

• Experience difficulties at school, such as trouble concentrating or poor academic performance 

• Withdraw from family, friends, or favorite activities, or avoid reminders of the traumatic event 

• Show increased anxiety, guilt, shame, anger, aggression, or defiant behavior 

• Develop sleep problems  

• Begin experimenting with alcohol or other substances 

Adolescents: 

• Develop signs of depression and self-harming behaviors 

• Increased aggression, anxiety, and mood swings 

• More rebellious tendencies (such as engaging in risky or impulsive behaviors) and defiance 

• Participate in drug and alcohol abuse 

• Withdraw from friends, family, social events, and activities they once enjoyed 

• Major changes in appetite and/or sleep (e.g. nightmares, insomnia) 

• Difficulty concentrating and retaining information, especially at school 

• Loss of motivation 

• Feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, or emotional numbness 

• Being easily startled, constantly on guard (hypervigilance), or having difficulty relaxing 

At Any Young Age: 

• Complain of physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches without a clear cause 

• Have nightmares, difficulty sleeping, or resist going to bed 

• Struggle with concentration and emotional regulation  

• Experience feelings of guilt, self-blame, or thoughts of revenge related to the traumatic event 

How Trauma Affects Children and Teens 

When children and adolescents are affected by trauma, it can lead to both short-term and long-term disruptions in their lives. For example, in the short-term, they may turn to other outlets (like drugs or alcohol) to cope with their negative feelings. They may act out, whether through childhood tantrums or outward defiance as teens. They may experience a downturn in school performance, as they struggle to pay attention or retain information. 

Longer-term, trauma in children and adolescents can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It can lead to deep-seated struggles with body image, self-worth, and one’s ability to build relationships with others. Studies have also linked childhood trauma to long-term health issues like diabetes, due the ongoing stress, and higher involvement in juvenile justice systems. 

How to Get the Help Your Child Deserves 

The challenge that parents often face with teens and children who have experienced trauma is communication. Young children especially cannot communicate when they are struggling, at least fully, due to lacking the words to describe what happened or how they feel. Teenagers may also have a hard time sharing their experience, or simply hesitant to reveal their feelings to family members. This may stem from not wanting to talk about or revisit the event, not wanting to upset their parents, or are afraid of how their family might react. They may just assume parents will tell them what to do, or may not fully understand the event, which results in silence altogether.  

For this reason, it’s important for parents to take that step when they suspect something is wrong. 

As a parent or caregiver, here are ways you can support your child: 

• Keep conversations open and ensure your child knows that you are there for them 

• Check in regularly with your child to see how they’re doing 

• Offer reassurance that they are loved and supported 

• Validate their feelings and emotions, and listen without judgement 

• Remind your child that what happened is not their fault 

• Encourage them to express their feelings in some capacity, whether through talking to someone, writing it down, drawing it out, or playing (if and when they are ready) 

• Prioritize your child’s physical and emotional safety, making sure their basic needs are met  

• Maintain familiar routines whenever possible, such as regular mealtimes and bedtime rituals, to provide a sense of predictability 

• Give your child age-appropriate choices to help restore a sense of control 

• Limit exposure to reminders of the traumatic event (e.g. social media, news, people/places, etc.) 

• Be patient with temporary behavioral changes or emotional outbursts; healing takes time 

• Watch for changes in mood, behavior, sleep, appetite, or school performance 

Additionally, consider speaking with a pediatrician or mental health professional if your child: 

• Continues to struggle for several weeks or symptoms are getting worse instead of improving 

• Appears persistently anxious, depressed, emotionally numb, or withdrawn 

• Has frequent nightmares, flashbacks, or becomes easily startled 

• Engages in dangerous, reckless, aggressive, or self-harming behaviors 

• Begins using alcohol, tobacco, or other substances to cope 

• Shows dramatic personality or behavior changes that seem out of character 

• Experiences ongoing difficulties at school, with friends, or in daily functioning 

• Refuses to communicate or completely withdraws from family and loved ones 

• Frequently complains of physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches, without a clear medical cause 

• Makes statements about hopelessness, suicide, or wanting to harm themselves or others (Seek immediate emergency or crisis support if this occurs) 

Of course, you do not have to wait until a crisis develops to ask for help. If you’re worried about your child or teen’s emotional well-being, trusting your instincts and seeking an evaluation early can make a meaningful difference in their recovery.  

Unsure where to start or who to turn to for support? Turnbridge is a recognized mental health treatment professional, specializing in the unique experiences of teens and young adults. Give us a call at 877-581-1793 to learn about our trauma-informed treatment programs, or for advice on what to do next.