Common Behavioral Issues in Traumatized Children

Traumatized children may exhibit various behavioral issues as a result of their experiences. Here are some common behavioral issues often observed in traumatized children:

Disclaimer: Blogs are a great place to get helpful information but they should never replace mental healthcare and this blog is no exception. These blog posts do not replace mental health care and are not medical advice.

Hyperarousal

Trauma can lead to a heightened state of arousal, causing children to be easily startled, have difficulty concentrating, and display an excessive fight-or-flight response. They may be constantly on edge and struggle to relax. Children may run away for seemingly no reason at times or may fight teachers or other students who try to prevent them from getting away.

Emotional dysregulation

Traumatized children may have difficulty managing and expressing their emotions appropriately. They may exhibit intense mood swings, have frequent outbursts of anger or sadness, or struggle with emotional numbing. When I worked as a teacher with preschoolers with trauma experiences I would typically see a 3-5 year old go from seemingly fine to throwing chairs and hitting people because they were angry or sad about something toddler-typical (like a friend not sharing toys). 

Withdrawal and social isolation

Trauma can cause children to withdraw from social interactions and isolate themselves. They may avoid making connections with others, struggle to trust people, and display a general reluctance to engage in social activities. Some children may not talk very much at all, a phenomenon called selective mutism which means  that the person does not talk in certain situations or with certain people. I’ve seen this so severely that people sometimes think there is something neurologically wrong with the child, when in reality the phenomenon is psychological.

Aggression and impulsivity

Some traumatized children may exhibit aggressive behaviors, including physical and verbal aggression towards others. They may also display impulsive behaviors, acting without thinking about the consequences.

Sleep disturbances

Trauma can disrupt a child's sleep patterns, leading to difficulties falling asleep, frequent nightmares, night terrors, or disturbed sleep. This can contribute to fatigue and difficulties with attention and concentration during the day.

Regression

Traumatized children may exhibit regression in their behavior. They may revert to behaviors typical of a younger age, such as bedwetting, thumb-sucking, or clinging to caregivers.

Avoidance behaviors

Children who have experienced trauma may engage in avoidance behaviors to prevent reminders of the traumatic event. This can involve avoiding certain places, people, or activities that trigger distressing memories. Again, I’ve often seen this in school or day program settings. 

Often, a traumatized child was traumatized at the hands of an adult or older child who exerted power and force over them. School settings can be triggering because there is an adult exerting power over the children to direct them to do things. In addition, sometimes children are triggered by sounds, smells, and sights that remind them of the traumatic event. 

For example, a four year old who is told to lay on his cot during quiet time may protest by disobeying, throwing things, hitting their teacher, or running out of the room.

To the average adult this child is “bad” or “undisciplined” but realistically this child may have experienced sexual abuse at the hands of a caregiver who forced them to lay in bed so that they could be abused. Therefore, the cot, the dim lights in the room, and a person of power demanding them to lay down may all be probing events that lead to a trauma response like running away or fighting the teacher.

It's important to note that each child is unique, and their response to trauma can vary. Additionally, these behavioral issues may not be exclusive to traumatized children and can occur due to other factors as well. Professional help, such as therapy or counseling, is crucial for supporting traumatized children and helping them overcome these challenges.

For more mental health tips sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter.

Talk to you soon,

Carmelita