Studies of children following natural disasters have shown that children may experience emotional and behavioral effects for months, one year or even two years following the disaster. Vivid memories may intrude during the day. Young children reenact parts of the disaster in their play. The flood may become like an evil person in their eyes. After severe disasters, even children as young as 7 and 8 have attempted suicide.
Some children withdraw from life.
Boys tend to have more difficulty talking about their losses and showing their feelings. Children also develop in character. Many show insight and increasing concern for others. Adolescents tend to lose some of their sense of invulnerability. They realize they, or someone like them, could be devastated by a similar disaster.