Severe Trauma

There are 3 main types of severe emotional trauma that can have a debilitating effect, especially on children, that we need to be watchful for and get immediate professional help for them. I've included a link to more information for each area.

PTSD
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/facts_for_families – facts for families search: PTSD
PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – is a set of symptoms that can result from experiencing, witnessing, or participating in an overwhelmingly traumatic event.
Symptoms
—       Regular trauma symptoms
—       Persistent fears (particularly separation from parents)
       Repeated episodes of re-experiencing the trauma in play or nightmares (which may or may not include the disaster)
—       Anticipating the disaster will happen again
—       Emotional numbness
—       Sleep disturbances
—       Jumpiness and startling
—       Behavior problems at home or school
—       Preoccupation with the disaster
—       Avoid reminders of the disaster
—       Increased arousal symptoms (inability to concentrate and startle reactions)
—       May increase risk of suicide and depression
—       Develop emotional or physical symptoms that remind them of the event
—       Sudden and extreme emotional reactions
        Worry about dying young
—       Repetitive play in which themes or aspects of the trauma may occur.
A minority of victims are at risk of developing PTSD, and it often surfaces months or years after the event.
Continue to emphasis feelings of safety and get help. Women usually have a higher rate of PTSD.

Generalized anxiety disorder
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/coping-with-disaster/helping-children-handle-disaster-related-anxiety
Persistent and excessive anxiety and worry (not just in relation to disaster and its consequences)- for children these concerns may be school competency, punctuality, overzealous approval seeking, perfectionist tendencies, conforming
— Difficult to control worry- it interferes with functioning
— Anxiety and worry associated with symptoms
Symptoms
—·        Restlessness
·        Feeling on edge
·        Easily fatigued
·        Difficulty concentrating or mind goes blank
·        Irritability
·        Muscle tension
·        Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
·        Usually have depression symptoms as well
·        Can include physical symptoms
o       Cold clammy hands, dry mouth, nausea
o       Panic attacks (heart racing, difficulty breathing, intense fear and Panic)

Depression
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/facts_for_families – facts for families search: The Depressed Child
Symptoms
—       Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying
—       Decreased interest in activities or inability to enjoy previous favorites
—       Hopelessness
—       Persistent boredom, low-energy
—       Isolation, poor communication
—       Low self esteem and guilt
—       Extreme sensitivity to rejection and failure
—       Increased irritability, anger, hostility
—       Difficulty with relationships
—       Frequent physical complaints
—       Frequent school absences or poor performance
—       Poor concentration and memory
—       Major eating and sleep changes
—       Self-destructive behavior or thoughts or expressions of suicide
—       Talk or efforts to run away
—       Often occurs with PTSD
Symptoms may vary between home and school. She may not always be sad.

For these three areas of severe trauma, continue to do what you were doing before. Those coping strategies are helping and will continue to help. I would also recommend healthy eating, exercise, and service. They have added important if these are a concern as they are natural remedies (not eliminators).