SYMPTOMS OF TRAUMA: BIRTH - 2
All infants and toddlers become angry or have tantrums at times. The following symptoms might indicate the child has experienced a traumatic event if they are excessive or interfere with the child’s or family’s lives.
- Unusually high level of anger
- Tantrums that do not stop within a few minutes
- Inability to be soothed or comforted
- Agitation
- Heightened startle response (easily startled)
- Terrified responses to sights, sounds, etc., that remind the child of the trauma
- New fears
- Loss of skills such as use of the toilet and/or speech (children at this age may quit speaking)
- Aggression towards family and others
- Fear of adults who remind them of the trauma
- Fear of being separated from parent or caregiver
- Eating problems such as loss of appetite, low weight or digestion issues
- Nightmares
- Sleeplessness
- Irritability
- Listlessness
- Withdrawal from previously trusted adults
- Avoidance of eye contact and/or physical contact
More about symptoms:
13-18 (middle and high school)
