Why it happens: Being on the lookout for danger makes sense after something scary has happened. It’s how we learn to keep ourselves safe from things that are truly dangerous.
Is this a problem?: Are your child’s feelings of being “on guard” for potential danger very strong? Does your child feel this way a lot of the time? Is it making it harder to get back to doing things s/he used to do?
Why it happens: One way we cope with overwhelming scary experiences is to “shut down” our emotions and not feel close to other people for a while. Sometimes other people are reminders of what happened or of how things have changed.
Is this a problem?: Does your child seem to be having a really hard time feeling relaxed and close to friends and family s/he usually trusts and enjoys time with?
Why it happens: One way we cope with overwhelming scary experiences is to “shut down” our emotions for a while. And kids may feel a bit down or stressed when dealing with a lot of changes after an injury.
Is this a problem?: Does your child seem to be not enjoying lots of things they used to like to do? Do they seem sad or withdrawn, or like their feelings are “shut down” much of the time?
Why it happens: After something scary happens, we can become afraid of things that are reminders of what happened.
Is this a problem?: Are fears stopping your child from doing (safe) things s/he would otherwise be able to do, or from enjoying activities even if she does manage to do them?
Why it happens: After something scary happens, reminders of what happened can make us feel very anxious, and we might start to avoid those things.
Is this a problem?: Is avoiding reminders stopping your child from doing (safe) things s/he would otherwise be able to do, or from enjoying activities even if she does manage to do them?
Why it happens: Everyone needs to take a break sometimes from thinking about or talking about a scary experience. (And there may be times when you’re ready to talk but your child isn’t.)
Is this a problem?: Does your child seem to never want to think or talk about it with anyone, or does talking about it make him / her feel quite upset?
Why it happens: When something scary happens, we learn to treat things connected to it as if they were danger signals. Sights, sounds, and even smells can be reminders.
Is this a problem?: Do these feelings happen nearly every day? Do they make it hard for your child to relax and have fun, or to concentrate on schoolwork?
Why it happens: It’s normal for kids to have bad dreams from time to time.
Is this a problem?: Are the nightmares worse or more frequent since the injury? Are they interfering with getting a good night’s sleep?
Why it happens: Thinking and talking about what happened, especially in the first few days and weeks, is part of how we help ourselves recover from a scary experience.
Is this a problem?: Do thoughts about it often pop into his/her mind even when s/he doesn’t want them to? Does this bother her / him?