Signs Your Child is Experiencing COVID-19-Induced Trauma and What To Do

COVID-19 has turned the entire world upside down, forcing people of all ages, race, gender and backgrounds to reluctantly adjust to a new and ever-changing "normal", thus creating some confusing, stressful and sometimes frightening situations. Lost jobs, crumbling relationships/divorce, racial tensions, and an economy in a downturn, we’re all feeling some level of trauma. 
 
But are Children Feeling this Trauma too?
According to Dr. Adam D. Brown, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone and member of its Child Study Center, THEY ARE. Children’s reactions following a traumatic event vary depending on their age, developmental level, degree of social support and coping skills, among other factors. Some show signs and some do not - each child’s response mechanism is completely different. 
 
Dr. Brown provided a few typical reactions that young children – ages 10 and under – may exhibit after experiencing trauma. 

• Unwanted Thoughts or Images: “Your child may replay certain thoughts or images in their mind or have an increase in nightmares—which may or may not be clearly related to the traumatic events,” Dr. Brown says. “Children often describe feeling unable to control these thoughts or images. Some children may draw, write, talk, or play about the events repeatedly.”

 

• Negative Feelings: “Your child may struggle with a range of negative feelings including sadness, hopelessness, irritability and anger, or numbness,” Dr. Brown says. “Some children may become overwhelmed by their feelings and act silly or younger than their age. Others may become anxious, especially when separated from caregivers. Your child may display behaviors they had previously outgrown, such as becoming clingier, bedwetting, separation anxiety, or having sleep difficulties.”

 

• Avoidance of Reminders and Problems with Attention: “Your child may avoid, or become agitated or distressed if unable to avoid, people, places, and things that remind them of what happened, or what is happening,” Dr. Brown says. “Your child may also have a hard time concentrating on schoolwork or other activities, seem more forgetful, or seem like they are daydreaming.”

 

• Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms: “The child may startle more easily or feel like there is danger or a threat present,” Dr. Brown says. “The child may have an increase in stomachaches, headaches, or other bodily aches and complaints, or have a change in appetite. The child may also have difficulty falling or staying asleep.”

 
When Should Caregivers Consider Professional Help for Their Child?
If the child’s symptoms do not decrease in two to four weeks after the traumatic event, it may be beneficial to seek out a child or adolescent psychiatrist of psychologist. However, with COVID, this is difficult to assess since it’s ongoing. If you’re unsure, consult with a professional and try to find a provider with knowledge of trauma and evidence-based or evidence-informed treatments for treating traumatic stress. 
 
Other situations that may warrant a specialist:

• If your family is unable to meet the needs of the child (maybe you’re also struggling with trauma).
• If the child’s symptoms are severe or significantly interfere with daily routines, ability to socialize or do schoolwork.
• If the child has been previously exposed to trauma, previously diagnosed with a mental health disorder or struggles with anxiety or mood problems. These children are particularly vulnerable for developing ongoing traumatic stress problems.
• If the child has experienced loss or grief, this may warrant additional support.

 
How Can Caregivers Help Their Child Cope?

• These are unprecedented times, so caregivers should provide developmentally appropriate information. Ask the child what they have heard and whether they have questions. Provide concrete explanations and use child-friendly language. If a family member or friend has passed, avoid using euphemisms as they can be confusing to the child.

 

• Be prepared for the child to ask the same questions or express the same concerns repeatedly.  Keep responses brief and honest. Caregivers should also be mindful about discussing the pandemic with others when children are present, and that includes limiting media exposure, as that can be overwhelming and confusing for young children (and adults too!). 

 

• Create opportunities to check in with the child. This doesn’t need to be formal but casually check in while in the car, eating dinner or at bedtime. 

 

• Children may have concerns about their safety and the health and safety of those close to them – especially as some will be returning to school soon. Provide concrete reassurances about what you’re doing in the present and future to keep them safe. Masks and gloves may be frightening, so have multiple and ongoing conversations about why we are wearing them. 

 

• Teenagers may want more information and may need to talk more. Alternatively, they may act as nothing is bothering them and won’t want to talk. Give them some space, but also keep a close eye on how they’re coping and continue to create opportunities for discussion.

 
How Can Caregivers Help Children Manage Their Feelings?

• Children may feel a wide range of emotions after trauma. Caregivers can help the child by labeling their feelings and providing validation. For example, you could say, “It makes perfect sense you’re feeling worried. Lots of people are getting sick, but we are doing everything we can to stay safe and healthy.”

 

• Help child identify activities to soothe themselves, like playing with the family pet, watching a show, listening to music, or playing a game. If the child is unable to calm down, use simple strategies such as deep breathing, thinking about a happy memory, or using a stress ball.

 

• Maintain consistency with daily routines if possible. If that’s not possible, keep the child informed about what changes they can expect.

 

• Caregivers should model healthy emotional expression. Talk about how you’re feeling and how you manage difficult feelings. As a previous blog post mentioned, children learn a lot about emotions by watching those closely around them. 

 

• Caregivers should demonstrate self-care. This could mean getting the optimal amount of sleep and exercise, establishing healthy eating habits, staying connected with family and friends, utilizing self-soothing strategies, etc. 

 
ACE’s website serves as a comprehensive resource hub for those seeking help with trauma. Please visit the Resource section for more information. Specifically, check out this Help Guide discussing trauma in children.