How to Identify if a Child Has Been Traumatized by an Event

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Unfortunately, children are not immune to traumatic events and conditions like PTSD. While a traumatic experience can damage a child if left unspoken about and untreated, the good news is that children are better able to cope with a traumatic event if they receive support from trusted adults. The sooner you recognize the signs of trauma in a child, the sooner you can help them get support, move forward, and put their life back together again.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Noticing Physical Symptoms

PDF download Download Article
  1. Compare how the child acts now to how the child acted before the trauma. If you see extreme behavior, or a noticeable change from their normal behavior, then something is probably wrong.
    • A child may seem to develop a new personality (e.g. a confident girl turning into a shaky people-pleaser overnight), or may switch between several strong moods (e.g. a boy who flip-flops between withdrawn and aggressive). [1]
  2. A traumatized child may cry and whine over relatively small things that wouldn't have bothered them so much before.
    • Some children may already cry or become angry easily, especially between the ages of two and seven. The key part is if it happens more than usual.
    • A child may become extremely upset when reminded of anything related to the trauma - for example, they may become highly anxious or cry when they see an object or person that reminds them of what happened. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. The child may revert to younger behavior, such as thumb-sucking and wetting the bed. [3] This is especially common in cases of sexual abuse, but can be seen in other forms of trauma as well. [4]
    • Regression may also be caused by a child adapting to a change in their life, such as a new baby or a new school. The reason change might cause kids to regress is because they long for a time when life was easier.
    • Children with developmental disabilities such as autism may experience regression more easily, which can make it harder to figure out whether the regression is related to trauma or not.
  4. Traumatized children, especially those harmed by an adult, may attempt to appease adults or avoid angering them. You may notice avoidance of attention, complete compliance, and/or overachieving to turn into a "perfect" child.
  5. Traumatized children may act out, become frustrated easily, and start throwing more temper tantrums. They may even become aggressive towards others. [5] [6]
    • A child who has been traumatized may seem defiant or frequently get in trouble. [7] This may be more apparent in school, especially if the traumatic event took place at school.
  6. Observe symptoms of illness, such as headaches , vomiting or fever. Children often react to trauma and stress with physical symptoms which may not have an obvious cause. [8] These symptoms may worsen when the child must do something related to the trauma (e.g. going to school after abuse at school), or when the child is stressed.
    • The child may also be faking sick to avoid school after trauma; however, you should never assume they are faking in the case of trauma. Trauma can affect kids in very real, physical ways, so it’s important to help them and support them through their trauma.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Noticing Psychological Symptoms

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your child acts differently than they used to before the event, it may mean that something is wrong. Look for an increase in anxiety-related behaviors. [9] [10]
    • These changes in behavior will happen over a pretty short timeframe. [11]
    • It's common for children to start having difficulty with everyday life after experiencing a trauma. They may resist things like bedtime, attending school, or spending time with friends. (Resisting bedtime or school is common among young children, but if they do it more often, or more extremely, than usual, it could be a sign of something serious). Their performance in school might slip and they may experience behavioral regression. Take note of anything that's become a problem after a traumatic event. [12]
    • A traumatized child may also act withdrawn all of the sudden. [13]
  2. The child may feel lost without a person they trust, or a favorite object like a toy, blanket, or stuffed animal. [14] A traumatized child may become extremely upset if this person or object is not with them, because they feel unsafe.
    • Children who have experienced a trauma may develop separation anxiety from parents or caregivers and fear being apart from them. [15]
    • Carrying toys and blankets around is a phase many children go through, but it could be a sign if they start doing it when they previously did not, or if they do it more often. They may cling to toys or stuffed animals because for a lot of kids, having a special toy or stuffed animal will help them feel more secure. So when they’re separated from it, the emotional trauma could escalate. As such, one way of telling whether their attachment to the toy is truly a sign or just a phase could be whether or not they become nervous or teary-eyed when separated from the toy.
    • Some children withdraw and "disconnect" from family or friends instead, preferring to be alone. [16]
  3. Children who have been traumatized may have difficulty falling or staying asleep, or resist bedtime. They may be afraid to sleep alone at night, with the light off, or in their own room when they previously had no issue with it. They may have an increase in nightmares, night terrors, or bad dreams. [17] [18]
    • Some children resist bedtime due to simply not wanting to go to bed rather than fear. To determine the difference, ask a child why they don't want to go to bed. If they're scared, they will say something like "I don't want to be alone" or "What if an alien abducts me?", whereas if they just don't want to go to bed, they will say something like "Going to bed is boring" or "I don't want to stop playing".
    • Some children may also relive the traumatic event in flashbacks. [19]
  4. The child may ask questions about if it will happen again, or ask about taking steps to prevent it (such as repeatedly asking people to drive safely after a car accident). Reassurance from adults is unlikely to soothe their fears. [20]
    • Some children may obsess over preventing the event in the future, such as constantly checking the smoke alarm after a house fire. This may turn into Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
    • Children might replay the event repeatedly in their art or play, like drawing the event over and over again, or repeatedly recreating the incident with their toys (for instance, crashing toy cars into things if it was a car crash). [21]
  5. Adults were not able to protect them in the past, so they might reason "who can?" and decide that nobody can keep them safe. [22] They may not believe adults who try to assure them.
    • If a child has been traumatized, they may have difficulty trusting others as a defense mechanism, as they're unable to view other people or places as safe. [23]
    • A child who was abused by an adult may start fearing other adults. For example, a girl who was hurt by a tall, blond man may be afraid of her tall, blond uncle because he looks similar to the man who hurt her.
  6. If a child experienced a traumatic event in a specific location, they may avoid or become fearful of the place in question. [24] Some children may be able to tolerate it with help from a loved one or security object, but be unable to bear being left there alone.
    • For example, a child abused by a therapist may scream and cry if they see the therapy building, and may panic if they even hear the word "therapy."
    • Some places are just commonly scary to a lot of children, such as the doctor. However, if the child is scared of a place most children aren't afraid of, or if they become scared of a place they previously weren't scared of, it's a bad sign.
  7. The child may blame themselves for the traumatic event because of something they did, said, or thought. [25] These fears are not always rational; the child may blame themselves for a situation in which they did nothing wrong, and could not have made things any better. [26]
    • This may lead to obsessive-compulsive behavior. For example, maybe a boy and his sister were playing in the dirt when the traumatic event happened, and now he feels the need to keep everyone perfectly clean and away from dirt.
  8. A traumatized child may feel alienated, and may be uncertain how to interact normally with others, or not interested. Or, they may want to talk about or replay the traumatic event, which could annoy or upset other children.
    • A child who has been traumatized may struggle with friendships and appropriate dynamics. They may become extremely passive towards their peers, or try to control or bully them. [27] Other children withdraw, feeling unable to connect to their peers. [28]
    • Having trouble with social interactions could also be a sign of autism, introversion, or social anxiety.
    • Children who have been sexually abused may try to mimic the abuse in their play, so it's important to watch how a child plays with peers after trauma. [29]
  9. Trauma can result in hypervigilance and the child may always be "on guard". A child may become afraid of wind, rain or sudden loud noises, or seem fearful or aggressive if someone gets too close to them. [30] [31]
    • Fear of sudden loud noises might also signify sensory integration issues, but if a child has those, they were likely born with them, whereas with trauma, the fear comes on later.
  10. Children who have been traumatized tend to develop new fears, and may talk or worry about them extensively. [32] It may seem like nothing can soothe the fear and reassure them that they're safe.
    • For example, if the child experienced a natural disaster or is a refugee, the child may talk about worries that their family will not be safe, or will not have anywhere to live.
    • A traumatized child may obsess over their family's safety and try to protect their family. [33]
  11. Watch for thoughts of self-harm or suicide . A suicidal child may start talking a lot about death, give away items for no apparent reason, withdraw from social activities, and talk about what you will do after they are dead.
    • After a trauma, some children fixate on death and may talk or read about it excessively, even if they aren't necessarily suicidal. [34]
    • If there was a death in the family, talking about death isn't always a sign of suicidality. Sometimes, it's just a sign that they're trying to understand death and mortality. Still, if it is happening a lot, it may be worth investigating if something is wrong (whether it's suicidality or something else that's wrong).
  12. If you think there may be problems, take your child to a psychologist or psychiatrist.
    • Anxiety is a big marker for experiencing a traumatic event. [35]
    • Watch your child's eating habits, sleep, mood, and concentration. If any of these change dramatically or seem unusual, it's best to investigate it. [36]
    • Trauma can mimic other conditions. For example, some children become hyper, impulsive, and unable to concentrate after experiencing a trauma, which is frequently mistaken for ADHD. Others may seem defiant or aggressive, which can be misconstrued as simple behavioral problems. If something's wrong, get a professional involved. [37]
    13. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Moving Forward

PDF download Download Article
  1. A child can be impacted by a traumatic event but keep it bottled up inside out of a misguided need to be strong or courageous for family, or fear of upsetting others. [38]
  2. Assume that a child who has been part of a traumatic event needs to be cared for with extra attention to helping them through the event. They should have opportunities to talk about their feelings about the event, and they should also have opportunities to do fun things completely unrelated to it. [39]
    • Tell your child that they can come to you if they have fears, questions, or things they want to talk about. If your child does so, give them your full attention and validate their feelings . [40]
    • If the traumatic event made the news (e.g. a school shooting or natural disaster), reduce your child's exposure to media sources, and monitor their use of the internet and TV. Repeated exposure to the event on the news can make it harder for the child to recover. [41]
    • Providing emotional support can reduce your child's risk of developing trauma, or make the trauma less severe than it could have been.
  3. Some children may not give evidence for being upset for several weeks or even months. [42] Avoid rushing a child to explore and express their feelings. It can take time for some children to process what has happened.
  4. The responses, reactions and abilities of those immediately responsible for a child influence the child's ability to cope with a traumatic occurrence.
  5. While your love and support is very helpful, sometimes children need more than this to help them recover from terrifying events. Don't be afraid to seek help for your child. [43]
  6. The types of therapy likely to assist recovery for your child include psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
    • If the traumatic event happened to multiple family members, or if you think the family could use help, look into family therapy. [44]
  7. While it is only natural for you to want to try to be the support for your child, going it alone will make it harder on you, especially if you have also experienced the traumatic event. [45] Your child will pick up on it if you're distressed or scared, and will take their cues from you, so self-care is a necessity. [46]
    • Take time to talk about what's going on with your loved ones, like your spouse and friends. Talking about your feelings can help you deal with them and feel less alone.
    • Look into support groups if you or a loved one is going through something very difficult.
    • If you're feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself what you need right now. Do you need a warm shower, a cup of coffee, a hug, 30 minutes with a good book? Take good care of yourself.
  8. Family members, friends, therapists, teachers, and others can all support your child and your family in coping with the aftermath of the traumatic event. You are not alone, and neither is your child.
  9. You can help a great deal by seeking to restore a routine as soon as possible, continuing to feed your child a nutritious diet and helping your child maintain play and exercise schedules that ensure connections with others of their own age and body movement for good health. [47]
    • Try to get your child moving (taking walks, going to the park, swimming, jumping on a trampoline, etc.) at least once per day.
    • Ideally, 1/3 of your child's plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables that they like eating.
  10. What does your child need right now? How can you support them today? Just like coping with the past is important, enjoying the present is important too.
    11. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Understanding Trauma

PDF download Download Article
  1. A traumatic experience is one that terrifies or shocks the child and may have felt life-threatening (whether real or perceived) and caused the child to feel extremely vulnerable. Potentially traumatizing events include... [48] [49] [50]
    • Natural disasters
    • Vehicle accidents and other accidents
    • Neglect
    • Verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse (including things like compliance therapy, restraint, or seclusion)
    • Sexual assault or rape
    • Wide-scale violence, like a mass shooting or terrorist attack
    • War
    • Violent/intense bullying or victimization
    • Witnessing someone else's trauma (e.g. witnessing abuse)
  2. If two children go through the same experience, they may have different symptoms or different severity of trauma. [51] What is traumatizing to one child may simply be upsetting to another.
  3. A parent suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder can also be a trigger for a child to develop a traumatized response. A child may even react more strongly to trauma because adults around them have done so, especially parents because they're so attuned to them.
    4. Advertisement

Quiz Pack: We’ve handpicked these quizzes just for you.

You’ve read the article, now get personalized advice with wikiHow Quizzes. Each quiz is carefully researched and even endorsed by experts. Have fun and get the expert advice you need!
1
Childhood Trauma Test
2
Abandonment Issues Quiz
3
Trauma Response Quiz

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you're trying to help a child through a traumatic experience, it can be helpful to read more about how trauma affects children. Read books and online information from government or trusted medical sites that explains more fully what your child is going through and what you can do to help restore their general well-being.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Drawing and writing can be very therapeutic means for children to express their vulnerability, unhappiness and memories of the event. While a professional may direct these as a response, you can encourage a child to use these means as a form of expressing feelings at any time. Stories about child survivors of traumatic events and how they coped with difficult situations can also be helpful.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • A child unable to bounce back from a traumatic event can develop differently from the way they were developing prior to the event. The areas in the mind responsible for emotional and language processing and memory are particularly hard hit as a result of trauma. Changes to these areas of the brain can be long-lasting and can soon impact schoolwork, play and friendships.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • If the trauma is caused by experiences that are continuing to happen, such as abuse, immediately remove the child from the source of the abuse and get help and distance from the abuse.
        Thanks
        Helpful 65 Not Helpful 11
      • If a child experiences any of these symptoms and they are ignored, the child may experience psychological problems.
        Thanks
        Helpful 20 Not Helpful 2
      • Do not become angry at new bad behaviors that are likely to be a symptom of the traumatic experience; the child can't help it. Find the root of the bad behaviors that are caused by the traumatic event and work through them. Be especially careful and sensitive to behaviors involving sleeping and crying (and don't become angry when the child has excessive difficulty sleeping or trouble stopping themselves from crying).
        Thanks
        Helpful 9 Not Helpful 1
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      20 Signs of Abuse to Look for in Toddlers or Babies
      How to
      Treat Shock
      How to
      Help Your Child Cope with Sexual Abuse
      How to
      Help Your Body Grow Taller Sooner
      How to
      Recognize Spina Bifida Symptoms
      How to
      Get a Child with Diarrhea to Eat Food
      How to
      Help a Female Child Provide a Urine Sample
      How to
      Cure a Child's Stomach Ache
      How to
      Remove Something Stuck in a Child's Ear
      How to
      Care for a Child's Hair
      How to
      Stop Diarrhea in Toddlers
      How to
      Not Be Afraid of the Dark
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/signs-of-trauma/
      2. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/look-acute-stress-disorder-and-ptsd/
      3. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-primary-school-age-children
      4. ↑ https://www.stopitnow.org/ohc-content/tip-sheet-7
      5. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/signs-trauma-children/
      6. ↑ Meredith Brinster, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 23 July 2021.
      7. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/signs-of-trauma/
      8. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-primary-school-age-children
      9. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/signs-trauma-children/
      1. ↑ Meredith Brinster, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 23 July 2021.
      2. ↑ Meredith Brinster, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 23 July 2021.
      3. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/signs-of-trauma/
      4. ↑ Meredith Brinster, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 23 July 2021.
      5. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/trauma-and-children-two-to-five-years
      6. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-primary-school-age-children
      7. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-primary-school-age-children
      8. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-primary-school-age-children
      9. ↑ Meredith Brinster, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 23 July 2021.
      10. ↑ Meredith Brinster, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 23 July 2021.
      11. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/trauma-and-children-two-to-five-years
      12. ↑ https://www.ecmhc.org/tutorials/trauma/mod3_1.html
      13. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/how-trauma-affects-kids-school/
      14. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/signs-of-trauma/
      15. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/signs-trauma-children/
      16. ↑ https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma/recognizing-and-treating-child-traumatic-stress
      17. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/trauma-and-children-two-to-five-years
      18. ↑ https://www.ecmhc.org/tutorials/trauma/mod3_1.html
      19. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/signs-of-trauma/
      20. ↑ https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/sexual-abuse/effects
      21. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/trauma-and-children-two-to-five-years
      22. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/signs-of-trauma/
      23. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/trauma-and-children-two-to-five-years
      24. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/signs-trauma-children/
      25. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/signs-trauma-children/
      26. ↑ Meredith Brinster, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 23 July 2021.
      27. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/signs-trauma-children/
      28. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/how-trauma-affects-kids-school/
      29. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-primary-school-age-children
      30. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/#tips-for-helping-children-after-the-event
      31. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-primary-school-age-children
      32. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/#tips-for-helping-children-after-the-event
      33. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/signs-trauma-children/
      34. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/#tips-for-helping-children-after-the-event
      35. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-primary-school-age-children
      36. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/#tips-for-helping-children-after-the-event
      37. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-primary-school-age-children
      38. ↑ https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/#tips-for-helping-children-after-the-event
      39. ↑ Dr Pamela Stephenson Connolly, Head Case: Treat Yourself to Better Mental Health , p. 65, (2007), ISBN 978-0-7553-1721-9
      40. ↑ https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/about-child-trauma
      41. ↑ https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma/recognizing-and-treating-child-traumatic-stress
      42. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-children-tips-for-parents
      43. FEMA for Kids: After a Disaster – research source
      44. Disaster Training International, New York, NY – research source
      45. Dr Pamela Stephenson Connolly, Head Case: Treat Yourself to Better Mental Health , (2007), ISBN 978-0-7553-1721-9 – research source

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you're unsure whether your child has been traumatized by a disturbing event, there are common signs you can look for. Any significant shift in personality and energy levels will be a red flag. For example, if your child used to be outgoing and confident but now is quiet and shy, they’ll need some help to process the event. They may also overreact to small things that go wrong, like crying or getting angry. Many children also return to childlike behaviors, such as thumb-sucking, wetting the bed, and attachment to their favorite toy or a person. It can be really tough seeing your child suffer from the aftermath of trauma, but the majority of children heal and overcome their experience in time. However, it’s important to encourage your child to talk about their thoughts and feelings to help process them. It may also help to take them to therapy if their symptoms don’t improve. For more tips, including how to take care of yourself while helping your traumatized child heal, read on.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 260,732 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Deedee Mycloud

        May 2, 2020

        "Article helped me understand better abused people, and all the small signs that I can see in them, like fear, ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement