Psychological trauma occurs in children, when they are exposed to a frightening or dangerous event; represents a threat to his life or physical integrity.

Witnessing a traumatic event can be life-threatening for a family member; It is also painful, as traumatic experiences lead to strong feelings and physical reactions; Sometimes it persists long after the event.

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Symptoms of psychological trauma in children and its effects

Children feel terrified, frightened, or helpless when exposed to a traumatic experience, and they also experience some physiological reactions such as vomiting, loss of bladder or bowel control, or an irregular heartbeat.

Overwhelmed by emotional and physical responses, children who have not been able to protect themselves or who lack protection from others are overwhelmed by the feeling of exhaustion.

This danger can come from outside the family, such as a car accident or community violence, or from within the family, such as domestic violence or the unexpected death of a loved one.

Signs of child traumatic stress are:

1- Problems sleeping, eating, anger and attention

Some symptoms of childhood trauma are similar to those of depression, including too much or too little sleep, loss of appetite or overeating, irritability, unexplained anger, and trouble focusing on school projects and conversations.

Symptoms sometimes look similar to an anxiety disorder, with difficulty separating from parents.

2- Disintegration or separation from reality

Children may mentally separate themselves from the experience, when faced with a terrifying experience, they may see themselves separated from their body, in the ceiling or elsewhere, watching what is happening to their body.

Some children sometimes lose all memories or experiences that happened to them, resulting in gaps in time or in their personal history.

Separation can affect a child's ability to be fully present in daily activities, break their sense of time and continuity, causing some negative effects related to learning and social interactions.

3- A defect in the physical health of the child

As a child grows up afraid or under constant stress, the immune system and the body's stress response systems may not develop normally.

Later, when a child or adult is exposed to high levels of stress, some physiological responses such as rapid breathing or heart palpitations appear, or they may stop completely when exposed to stressful situations.

Children with a complex history of trauma develop chronic physical complaints, such as headaches or stomachaches.

Some of the other symptoms are:

1- Difficulty trusting others.

2- Social isolation.

3- It is difficult to ask for help.

4- Hypersensitivity to physical contact.

5- Difficulty describing feelings and internal experiences.

6- Discomfort easily and difficulty in calming down.

7- Poor impulse control.

8-Aggressive and self-destructive behavior.

9- Learning difficulties and developmental delays.

10- Low self-esteem.

11- Feelings of shame and guilt.

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