After a traumatic event, how do I know when a child needs treatment or just more time to heal?
In the days after a traumatic event, it’s normal for a child to feel jumpy; keep thinking or having nightmares about the event; or avoid any person or situation that serves as a reminder of the trauma. Parents can help by taking children’s traumatic experiences seriously and letting them know it’s OK to talk about their feelings and the ways they’re reminded of what happened. When traumatic stress reactions are particularly severe or don’t begin to improve over the first few weeks—or when a child’s ability to function in school and relationships is impaired—it’s important to seek consultation from a mental-health professional with experience in child trauma.
