The possible effects of childhood trauma on children under the age of six years are extensive and can be divided into three main categories. These three categories are as follows :- BEHAVIOURAL EFFECTS
- COGNITIVE EFFECTS (i.e. effects on thinking and conscious mental processes)
- PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS (i.e. effects on physical health and biological processes)
Below, I list the possible effects of being exposed to prolonged and significant trauma on young children :
A) FROM 0 YEARS OLD TO TWO YEARS OLD
B) FROM THREE YEARS OLD TO SIX YEARS OLD
A) POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON CHILDREN AGED 0 TO 2 YEARS :
BEHAVIOURAL :
Aggression
Regressive behaviour
Extreme temper tantrums
Fear of adults connected to the traumatic experiences
Fear of separation from the parent / primary caregiver (see my article about separation anxiety)
Irritability
Anxiety
Sadness
Withdrawn behaviour
Highly sensitive ‘startle response’
Prone to excessive screaming and crying
COGNITIVE :
Memory impairment
Impairment of verbal skills
PHYSIOLOGICAL :
Sleep problems
Nightmares
Reduced appetite
Low weight
Problems with the digestive system
B) POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON CHILDREN AGED 3 TO 6 YEARS
BEHAVIOURAL :
Aggression
Regressive behaviour
Extreme temper tantrums
Fear of adults connected to the traumatic experiences
Fear of separation from the parent / primary caregiver
Irritability
Anxiety
Sadness
Withdrawn behaviour
Highly sensitive ‘startle response’
Low self-confidence
Anxiety / Fearfulness
Avoidant behaviour
Difficulty placing trust in others
Difficulties making friends
Self-blame in relation to traumatic experiences
Acting out
Imitating the abusive behaviour suffered (e.g. by bullying school peers)
Reenacting traumatic event
Verbal aggression
COGNITIVE :
Memory impairment
Impairment of verbal skills
Problems with concentration and associated problems with learning
PHYSIOLOGICAL :
Sleep problems
Nightmares
Psychosomatic complaints such as headaches and stomach aches
Regressive behaviour (i.e. behaving in ways associated with an earlier period of development such as stress-related bed-wetting)
David Hosier BSc Hons; MSc; PGDE(FAHE)
How Childhood Trauma Can Physically Damage The Developing Brain (And How These Effects Can Be Reversed)
The Irrefutable Link Between Borderline Personality Disorder And Childhood Trauma
Holder of MSc and post graduate teaching diploma in psychology. Highly experienced in education. Founder of childhoodtraumarecovery.com. Survivor of severe childhood trauma.
