Withdrawal from family and friends, listlessness, decreased activity, preoccupations with the events of the disaster. Many children may be confused or upset by their normal grief reaction. Children have reported that they do not feel enough support from adults during a disaster. Loss of concentration, irritability. Increased susceptibility to infection and physical problems related to the disaster.
Children proceed through a variety of stages following a trauma.
The following stages have been identified as stages one might expect following a disaster. Terror - Exhibits for children through crying, vomiting or bodily discharge, becoming mute, loss of temper, or running away. Rage, anger - Adrenaline release, tense muscles, heart rate increases. Denial - Adults may exhibit denial differently than children. Some behaviors include feeling numb, blocking off pain and emotion, dreaming, feeling removed from experiences, or no feelings at all.