Recognizing When Your Child Is Distressed

Children are sensitive and can struggle to make sense of events that are traumatizing and deadly. There are common symptoms people experience following a traumatic event. Your children may experience only some or many of these:

1. Fatigue

2. Headaches

3. Sweating

4. Stomach and/or digestive problems

5. Bed-wetting, thumb-sucking, acting out or other behaviors from when they were younger

6. Reduced awareness or lack of concentration

7. Difficulty paying attention at school, forgetting to complete or turn in assignments

8. Feeling numb or not part of the world

9. Isolation, spending more time alone and less time with friends

10. Indecisive

11. Helplessness/hopelessness

12. Bad dreams or flashbacks

13. Feeling like the scary event is happening again

14. Scary thoughts they can’t control

15. Staying away from people and places that are reminders of what happened

16. Feeling worried, guilty or sad

17. Lack of responsiveness

18. Lack of interest in things that once interested them

19. Trouble sleeping

20. Changes in appetite or eating habits

21. Feeling on edge, nervous or easily startled

22. Irritable and angry outbursts

23. More conflict with teachers, friends, siblings and parents

24. Thoughts of self-harm or hurting others

If your child exhibits these or other concerning behaviors for more than two weeks, seek professional help. 

Star point counseling Center has offices in Brandon and Tampa Fl. 813-244-1251

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