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Children and Disasters - Part V

Common Feelings and Behaviors

Children and adults express signs and symptoms to stressful events along four dimensions: cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral. Common reactions expressed by children along each of these dimensions include the following:

Cognitive

Trouble concentrating
Preoccupation with the event
Recurring dreams or nightmares
Questioning spiritual beliefs
Inability to process the significance of the event

Emotional

Depression or sadness
Irritability, anger, resentfulness
Despair, hopelessness, feelings of guilt
Phobias, health concerns
Anxiety or fearfulness

Behavioral

Isolation from others
Increased conflicts with family
Sleep problems
Avoiding reminders
Crying easily
Change in appetite
Social withdrawal
Talking repeatedly about the event
Refusal to go to school
Arguments with family and friends
Repetitive play

Physical

Exacerbation of medical problems
Headaches
Fatigue
Physical complaints with no physical cause

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Copyright © The Center for Mental Health Services. The information on this website is provided as a courtesy to My ParenTime's Family Community visitors, and is for educational purposes only. Reprinted with permission.

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