Know What To Look For
Trauma can bring about strong emotions that persist long after the traumatic experience and not all symptoms are experienced at the same severity, some symptoms include:
- Terror
- Helplessness
- Fear
- Numbness
- Guilt
Trauma can also cause physical reactions such as:
- Changes in sleeping or eating habits
- Headaches
- Profuse sweating
- Chills
- Fainting
Know What To Do
You can help a child or adolescent after a traumatic event, but remember not all children will experience trauma the same:
- Control your emotions
- Create a safe and loving environment for the child or adolescent
- Build on your relationship with the child, the connection will help you regulate the child when needed
- Know what calms the child when they are feeling overwhelmed
- Listen to their story without judgement or criticism
- Seek help from your school counselor if you need help or need additional resources
