Recognizing Stress

Outreach

Strategies for Parents & Teachers

Benefits of Play & Age-Specific Interventions

 

Recognizing Stress in Children A disaster is frightening to everyone. Several factors play an important part in a child's reaction to the event. Children will be affected by the amount of direct exposure they have had to the disaster. If a friend or family member has been killed or seriously injured and/or the child's school, home or neighborhood has been destroyed or severely damaged, there is a greater chance that the child will experience difficulties. Adults can help children grieve by patiently listening and being able to tolerate feelings. This is a major factor in a child's perception of adults' reactions to the disaster. Children are very aware of adults' worries most of the time but they are particularly sensitive during the period of a disaster. Acknowledging your concerns to the children is important, as is your ability to cope with stress. Another factor that affects a child's response is his/her developmental age. Talking about the disaster together using words children can understand is important, as is being sensitive to their different responses. Preschool children will cling to parents and teachers and will worry about their parents' whereabouts. School-age children whose homes have been damaged by a fire may express the fear that life isn't safe or fair, whereas adolescents may minimize their concerns but fight more with parents and spend more time with their friends. It is important to listen to children's individual concerns and to be alert to signs of difficulty. Children are the most vulnerable population. Times of disaster and trauma increase their vulnerability. Recognizing children's symptoms of stress is not easy. Some stress reactions may include the following: Sleep disorders Persistent thoughts of trauma Belief that another bad event will occur Conduct disturbances Hyperalertness Avoidance of stimulus or similar vents, i.e., boating, swimming, baths, traveling Moving Regression, thumb sucking Dependent behaviors Time distortion Obsession about the event Feeling vulnerable Excessive attachment behaviors Extension professionals, parents and caregivers can work with child care providers to help them understand that parents who are under stress may not be able to provide enough love and affection for their children. Some of this lack of affection can be supplemented in child care settings. There are multiple factors that determine how to negotiate stress with children. Child's developmental level Elementary school children in the developmental stage of accomplishing and feeling competent may not progress well in school. This is an interference in development. Research indicates that the stage of identity development (usually in adolescent and teen years) can be hampered if fear is pronounced. Latent reactions observed in children experiencing the Buffalo Creek flood in New York was depression, powerlessness, vulnerability, difficulty distinguishing fact from fantasy, fear of separation, and chronic anxiety. Child's perceptions of family reactions Sometimes, anxiety in children can be attributed to anxiety in parents. Children who realize that their parents are powerless (the inevitability of flood waters for example) are fearful. Erikson suggests a loss in the belief of adults' power results in the questioning of adult authority in other instances and may manifest itself in juvenile misconduct. Collaboration between parents, care givers, social workers has worked in the past. Meaningful adaptations in children's environments will aid in their feelings of security. Expected Reactions of Children and Adolescents to Disasters Refusal to return to school or child care. This may emerge up to several months after the disaster. Fears related to the disaster (i.e. the sound of wind, rain, thunder, sirens, etc.) Sleep disturbances persisting several months after the disaster, manifested by nightmares and bed wetting. Misconduct and disobedience related to the disaster reflecting anxieties and losses that the child may not be talking about may appear weeks or months later. Physical complaints (stomach aches, fevers, headaches, dizziness) for which no immediate physical cause is apparent. Withdrawal from family and friends, listlessness, decreased activity, preoccupations with the events of the disaster. Many children may be confused or upset by their normal grief reaction. Children have reported that they do not feel enough support from adults during a disaster. Loss of concentration, irritability. Increased susceptibility to infection and physical problems related to the disaster. The most common psychological disturbances found among children who have lived through a disaster include: anxiety disorders, sleep-disturbances, phobias, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Children proceed through a variety of stages following a trauma. The following stages have been identified as stages one might expect following a disaster. Terror - Exhibits for children through crying, vomiting or bodily discharge, becoming mute, loss of temper, or running away. Rage, anger - Adrenaline release, tense muscles, heart rate increases. Denial - Adults may exhibit denial differently than children. Some behaviors include feeling numb, blocking off pain and emotion, dreaming, feeling removed from experiences, or no feelings at all. Children may withdraw into uncustomary behavior patterns. One study reported avoidance and resistance to participating in art therapy by not drawing anything related to the actual disaster (Newman, 1976). Behaviors may appear non-responsive and be overlooked. Unresolved grief - Unresolved grief could move into deep depression or major character changes to adjust to unresolved demands of grief and trauma. A child may stay sad or angry, be passive or resistant. Shame and guilt - Children do not believe in randomness and may even feel at fault after a disaster. Shame is one's public exposure of vulnerabilities. Guilt is private. There is a need to resolve these feelings, regain a sense of control, gain a new sense of independence and feel capable. The effects of trauma in childhood can be found both immediately and after a long period of time. Trauma changes those involved. Knowing what to look for in children can lead caring adults to seek professional assistance. Behavioral Signals Generally the world for small children is predictable and stable served by dependable people. Any disruption in stability causes stress. The two most frequent indicators that children are stressed are CHANGE in behaviors and REGRESSION of behaviors. Children can change their behavior and react by doing things that are not in keeping with their usual style. Behaviors seen in earlier phases of development such as thumb sucking and regression in toileting may reappear. Age groups differ in reactions. For example, loss of prized possessions, especially pets, hold greater meaning during middle childhood. Of concern to adolescents during/after a major disaster is the fear related to own body (intactness), disruption of peer relationships and school life. Adolescents feel their growing independence from parents and family is threatened. At this time, it feels different since the family needs to pull together during this time and less independence is allowed. There will be a difference between age groups: Normal Behavior/Stressed Behavior Preschool (1-5) Normal Development Possible Stressful reactions Consider referral for professional assistance   thumb sucking, bedwetting uncontrollable crying excessive withdrawal   lacking self-control; no sense of time; wanting to exhibit independence (2+) trembling with fright, immobile does not respond to special attention   fear of the dark or animals, night terror running aimlessly     clinging to parents excessive clinging, fear of being left alone     curious, explorative regressive behavior     loss of bladder/bowel control marked sensitivity to loud noises, weather     speech difficulties confusion, irritability     changes in appetite eating problems   Middle Childhood (5-11) Normal Development Possible Stressful reactions Consider referral for professional assistance   irritability marked regressive behaviors     whining sleep problems     clinging weather fears     aggression question authority try new behaviors for 'fit' headache, nausea, visual or hearing problems     overt competition with siblings for parents' attention irrational fears     school avoidance refusal to go to school, distractability, fighting     nightmares, fear of dark poor performance     withdrawal from peers       loss of interest/ concentration in school     Early Adolescence (11-14) Normal Development Possible Stressful reactions Consider referral for professional assistance   sleep disturbance withdrawal, isolation disoriented, has memory gaps   appetite disturbance depression, sadness suicidal ideation severely depressed, withdrawn   rebellion in the home/refusal to do chores aggressive behaviors substances abuser   physical problems (skin, bowel, aches and pains) depression unable to care for self (eat, drink, bathe) Adolescence (14-18) Normal Development Possible Stressful reactions Consider referral for professional assistance   psychosomatic problems (rash, bowel, asthma) confusion much the same as middle childhood   headache/ tension hypochondriases withdrawal, isolation hallucinates, afraid will kill self or others   appetite and sleep disturbance antisocial behavior, i.e., stealing, aggression, acting out cannot make simple decisions   -begin to identify with peers -have a need for alone time -may isolate self from family on occasion withdrawal into heavy sleep OR night frights excessively preoccupied with one thought   agitation, apathy depression     irresponsible behavior       poor concentration     Continue on to next the section > This material adapted by Dr. Karen DeBord, Child Development Specialist with North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. The material came from the Stress and Coping with Disaster manual from University Extension in Columbia, Missouri developed during the Flood of 1993.

Special Thanks to Dr. Karen DeBord, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and North Carolina State University   Was This Information Helpful? Yes No Maybe Comments: Comments Back to Top