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Withdrawn behaviour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Withdrawn behaviour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)
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