Symptoms by Age Group

Symptoms are expressed differently by age groups. It does not mean they are limited to that age group, but these are a basic guideline. Mainly remember that you know your child better than anyone else, if you feel that they aren't acting quite right trust your gut. Infants
symptoms
—       Increase screaming and crying
—       Increased need for cuddling and being held
What you can do
—       Simply meet their needs
—       Use the snuggly
—       Use a pacifier
—       Remember to take breaks – just like colic
—       Take care of your emotional needs – they can sense your stress, fear, and anxiety and react in kind

Preschoolers
symptoms
—       Clinginess
—       Sleep disturbances
—       Agitated or confused
—       Loss of appetite
—       Excessive fear of the dark
—       Stomach cramps and headaches
—       Fighting
—       Regression – accept initially, comfort without demands and gradually resume normal expectations. Don’t shame, criticize, or punish them. Reward good behaviors.
            ·        Thumb sucking
            ·        Bed-wetting
—       Withdrawal from friends
What you can do
—       Increase comfort and contact
—       They’re not being bad – they’re afraid
—       Frequent reassurance
—       Allow them to grieve loss valuables (use of rituals which well discuss shortly)

Elementary age
symptoms
—       Irritability
—       Aggressiveness
—       Clinginess
—       Nightmares
—       School avoidance
—       Poor concentration
—       Withdrawal from friends
—       Fantasies that the disaster never happened
—       May become preoccupied with the disaster
—       Stomach aches and headaches
They will ask more questions
They’re fears will increase at night time (same with younger ages)
What to do
—       Limit media exposure to the event
—       Allow open expression- encourage them to re-tell the story emphasizing the ending on personal safety
—       Don’t be afraid to say I don’t know
—       Allow them to grieve loss valuables

Adolescents (as if they weren’t already complicated)

symptoms
—       Sleeping and eating disturbances
—       Agitation
—       Increase in conflicts
—       Physical complaints
—       Delinquent behavior
—       Poor concentration
—       Increase in risk taking behavior
—       Fear of leaving home and withdrawal socially
—       May try to down play their worries
What you can do
—       Increase supervision for those with existing problems
—       Allow them to have time with their friends
—       Encourage discussion
—       Give them some time