Tsunami Aftermath - Trauma and Children

There are two main sources of security for a child-- the security of the family and that of the physical environment. Both may be disrupted as a result of an trauma. It is important to restore both these anchors, to the extent possible as soon as possible.

Adults, first of all, must become aware of their own fears and anxieties and try to cope with these. This is because the parents' anxieties are communicated to the child. It is difficult for a stressed parent to reassure a frightened child.

It is important to remember that different people react differently to the same situation and also manifest their anxieties differently. Moreover children and adults react differently. Different children may express their anxieties in different ways. Sometimes smaller children may not exhibit serious anxiety symptoms immediately after the quake, and thus they may not be attended to.

Even though we, as adults, may be under great stress, we must take time to understand that children need special attention and care during this period. The first step is to recognize symptoms of stress in a child.

How can one tell that a child is suffering from trauma?
- Seem more irritable than normal
- Get angry easily
- Seem restless
- Seem unable to concentrate
- Get easily startled
- Seem unusually quiet and withdrawn
- Seem to forget important things
- Seem worried or disturbed?

As a parent, look out for the following symptoms:
Is the child:
- Upset over the loss of a favorite toy or something else that adults might consider insignificant but which is important to the child.
- Afraid the event will recur
- Easily upset
- Given to crying often and uncontrollably?

- Has the child:
- Become uncharacteristically noisy and aggressive, or shy and afraid
- Become afraid of sudden loud noises
- Reverted to bedwetting and thumb sucking
- Lost trust in adults?