In the first month after traumatic events, it’s very common for children and adolescents to have bad memories and to avoid things that remind them of the event (e.g. places, people, etc.). Children and adolescent can also become anxious, nervous, and\/ or have problems concentrating.<\/p>\n
Such reactions are perfectly normal in the first few weeks and are no cause for concern.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you’re concerned about your child’s well-being and if you don’t know if to consult a mental health care professional is advisable, let your child fill out the Trauma-Check<\/strong> (not before at least 5 days have passed since the traumatic event).<\/p>\n Studies show that parents tend to underestimate the psychological stress their children experience following traumatic events, compared to their self-reported problems. This applies in particular to thoughts and mood (e.g. whether and how frequent unwanted images are experienced) and emotional problems (e.g. feelings of guilt, shame, etc.). Therefore, have your child fill out the Trauma-Check<\/strong> to get a more accurate assessment of the problems your child might experiences. Afterwards, discuss the result together and involve your child if you are looking for professional advice.<\/span><\/p>\n In case your child shows specific symptoms, your child also get tips on how to cope with them.<\/p>\n\n\n