A traumatic event is an event or situation that makes you feel a threat to your own or others' life and health. Examples of traumatic events include:
- war
- disasters
- terror
- violence and sexual assault
- sudden or terrifying death of friends and family
- being exposed to or witnessing serious injury and suffering
For many who experience something traumatic, the immediate symptoms and reactions will pass on their own. For others, it takes longer. Both reactions are normal.
How are children and young people affected by experiencing war?
Common reactions after experiencing war are sadness, fear, or anger, among other things. Some people start avoiding others and isolate themselves. It is also common to have body aches, such as in the stomach or head, or experience heart palpitations and dizziness.
Children who have experienced war react differently, depending on their age, among other things. Some of the reactions are also similar across ages.
Common reactions for preschool children:
- Crying or screaming
- Sleep problems and nightmares
- Fear of being separated from caregiver
- Poor appetite
Common reactions in older children and adolescents:
- Anger and irritability
- Feelings of guilt
- Concentration problems
- Sleep problems
Common reactions for older adolescents:
- Sadness and loneliness
- Anger and irritability
- Developing eating disorders or self-harming
- Misuse of alcohol or other drugs
- Risky behaviour
Children and young people can also have strong memories of what they have experienced. It is common to try to avoid things or people that remind them of what happened. It is also common to try to avoid talking about or thinking about it. This helps to intensify the negative symptoms.
In many people, these reactions will become milder and decrease over time. If the child continues to have problems over time, it is important to seek help. Contact your GP or local support team.
Talk to the children about what you have experienced
It is important that children and young people receive age-appropriate information. It is also important that they are allowed to talk and ask questions about what they have experienced. Reassure them that their feelings and reactions are normal.
- Tell them that what they are feeling is normal, that it will get easier over time, and that they can get help if they need it. Some people may not have strong reactions. This is also perfectly normal.
- Talk to your child about what you have experienced in the war and/or during the flight and what will happen in the future. Provide opportunities to ask questions. Do not assume that you know what the child is feeling or thinking. Plan to have more conversations with the child if the child has many questions.
- Talk about the good memories you have together and nice things you can do in the future.
Help children feel safe
Try to create a normal and predictable everyday life for your child. Try to ensure regular routines and social interaction with children of the same age.
- Show love and care for the child or young person and tell them you are both safe now.
- Ensure they have regular meals and get enough sleep. Shield the child from strong impressions just before bedtime. Try creating regular, pleasant evening routines adapted to the child's age.
- When starting in kindergarten and school, it is important for children and young people to quickly get into regular routines and get to know their peers.
- Make it easier for the children to feel positive emotions and experience positive things. This includes play and socialising with other children and young people of the same age. Perhaps there is a leisure club or sports club in the area? Or neighbours with children or young people of the same age?
- Be aware when talking about the war and your concerns about the situation while the children are listening. Right from infancy, children can pick up on negative feelings in their parents, such as fear, sadness and fright.
- Limit media exposure, as this can contribute to insecurity and fear in children. Preschool children should be shielded from all TV images of the war. For older children and adolescents, it is important to avoid exposing them to repetitive, strong impressions. Watch news about the war together so that you can share your impressions and talk about what you see.
- Be patient with yourself and with the child.