Definition

A traumatic event is an experience that causes physical, emotional, psychological distress, or harm to a child. It is an experience that is perceived by a child as a threat to their safety or to the stability of their world.

A traumatic event may involve:

• Physical injury or illness
• Separation from parents (perceived abandonment)
• Death of a friend, family member, or pet
• Divorce
• Hospitalization
• A move to a new location
• Anxiety
• Fear
• Pain
• Loss of trust

Information

Many events are experienced by children as traumatic. In fact, many adults do not realize that seemingly harmless events may be very traumatic for a child. For example, a child with a broken arm may assume that his arm cannot be fixed, yet adults may have no way of knowing that the child is even imagining such a thing.

Parents can reduce the negative emotional responses to potential traumatic events by preparing the child. Discussions, visits, pictures, videos, and play are activities that can introduce the upcoming experience to the child. Health care professionals are a good source of information regarding events that may be traumatic for the child, such as receiving injections (shots), or other experiences that are new, painful, or frightening.

Even after an event is over, the experience and memory of the experience may remain traumatic for the child. It is helpful to discuss the events and feelings with the child.

Children need time, support, and safety to re-establish their sense of trust. Experiences that have traumatized a child will usually cause signs of anxiety, including an increased need for physical and emotional closeness, fear of separation, difficulties sleeping, loss of appetite, bed wetting, or changes in interactions with others.