Stress Disorders in Children: Sign and Symptom Clusters W.E.Krill, Jr. M.S.P.C.
Re-experiencing:
Intrusive dreams, nightmares
Daytime intrusive memories
Physical agitation
Anger/rage
Severe upsets over apparently small issues
Enuresis, encopresis
Play reenactments
Hiding
Physically aggressive, combative
Complaints about wounds, pain, boo-boos that you can not see present
Talking about or relating details about the trauma
Avoidance, numbing, detachment:
Avoids discussing trauma or people associated
Lack of empathy or sympathy
Bullying/hurting others with no remorse
Lack of connectivity with others
Ignoring others’ feelings, statements, directives, conversation, assistance
Emotional numbing
Physical numbing
Self harm, disregard for danger or injuries
Lacks age appropriate play or activity
Cruelty to animals
Lack of focus
Overly submissive
Can not describe their emotions
Consistently misinterpreting what others are saying
Socially isolating
Can’t remember obvious time lines or events
Increased arousal:
Physical agitation, aggression
Trashing their toys, clothes, room
Door slamming
Screaming
Foul language not usually heard
Hyperactive
Hyper reactive
Jumpy, easily startles
Hyper vigilant
Fight or flight behaviors
Helpless
Frozen
Glassy eyes, dilated pupils, zombie like
Lack of focus/attention
Oppositional, defensive
Sexualized behaviors
Argumentative
Hiding behaviors (food, self, soiled clothes)
Easily brought to tears
Rushing through work, schoolwork, doing a poor job
Can not seem to calm down for hours upon hours, or even days
Psychological alterations:
Age regressed behaviors
Heightened vulnerability
Emotional cycling
Memory difficulties
Chronic fatigue, physical complaints
Risk taking
Heightened impulsivity
Statements of despair
Can’t seem to comfort self
Relational:
Mistrust
Heightened accusations against others
Secretive
Guarded
Self defeating interactions
Child like or precocious
Worried about being abandoned or left behind
Increased boundary problems
Inconsistent approach, friendliness, affect in relating
Seems to try to hard to fit in
Makes complaints about being excluded by others
Argumentative for no apparent reason
Bossy, parentified
Clingy, seeking attention
Excessive seeking out of nurturing/comfort
“Push-pull” feeling of intimacy and care
Refusal of assistance, help, care, affection.
Calls older relatives by first name
Ego structure:
Attributes traumatic events to their fault
Self harm verbalizations
Seems to “fall apart” very easily
Shame, guilt. Low self esteem statements
Has multiple names either given to them or for themselves
Alteration between very stubborn and excessively vulnerable
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