Children are sensitive and can struggle to make sense of events that are traumatizing and deadly. There are common symptoms people experience following a traumatic event. Your children may experience only some or many of these:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Stomach and/or digestive problems
• Bed-wetting, thumb-sucking, acting out or other behaviors from when they were younger
• Reduced awareness or lack of concentration
• Difficulty paying attention at school, forgetting to complete or turn in assignments
• Feeling numb or not part of the world
• Isolation, spending more time alone and less time with friends
• Indecisive
• Helplessness/hopelessness
• Bad dreams or flashbacks
• Feeling like the scary event is happening again
• Scary thoughts they can't control
• Staying away from people and places that are reminders of what happened
• Feeling worried, guilty or sad
• Lack of responsiveness
• Lack of interest in things that once interested them
• Trouble sleeping
• Changes in appetite or eating habits
• Feeling on edge, nervous or easily startled
• Irritable and angry outbursts
• More conflict with teachers, friends, siblings and parents
• Thoughts of self-harm or hurting others

If your child exhibits these or other concerning behaviors for more than two weeks, seek professional help. For additional advice, help and resources on parenting through a crisis situation, contact the Boys Town National Hotline at 1-800-448-3000. Trained counselors are available 24/7.