What are the common warning signs of emotional distress for children?

Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Children and Teens Withdrawing from playgroups and friends. Competing more for the attention of parents and teachers. Being unwilling to leave home. Being less interested in schoolwork. Becoming aggressive. Having added conflict with peers or parents. Having difficulty concentrating.

samhsa.gov - Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Emotional Distress | SAMHSA

What is the lowest paid movie of all time?

Release and box office gross From February 25 to March 2, 2006, Zyzzyx Road was shown once a day, at noon, at the Highland Park Village Theater in...

Last updated Apr 9, 2021

Who would win in a race Flash or Superman?

Barry Allen The first decisive victory between Superman and a speedster takes place in World's Finest Comics #198-199. As the cover to issue #198...

Last updated Jan 3, 2021

Promotion

Learn about the common warning signs and risk factors for emotional distress that children, adults, and first responders often experience. It is common to feel stress symptoms before or after a crisis. Natural and human-caused disasters can have a devastating impact on people’s lives because they sometimes cause physical injury, damage to property, or the loss of a home or place of employment. Anyone who sees or experiences this can be affected in some way. Most stress symptoms are temporary and will resolve on their own in a fairly short amount of time. However, for some people, particularly children and teens, these symptoms may last for weeks or even months and may influence their relationships with families and friends. Common warning signs of emotional distress include:

Eating or sleeping too much or too little

Pulling away from people and things

Having low or no energy

Having unexplained aches and pains, such as constant stomachaches or headaches

Feeling helpless or hopeless

Excessive smoking, drinking, or using drugs, including prescription medications

Worrying a lot of the time; feeling guilty but not sure why

Thinking of hurting or killing yourself or someone else

Having difficulty readjusting to home or work life

For those who have lived through a natural or human-caused disaster, the anniversary of the event may renew feelings of fear, anxiety, and sadness. Certain sounds, such as sirens, can also trigger emotional distress. These and other environmental sensations can take people right back to the disaster, or cause them to fear that it’s about to happen again. These “trigger events” can happen at any time.

Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Children and Teens

Children are often the most vulnerable of those impacted during and after a disaster. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, a growing body of research has established that children as young as infancy may be affected by events that threaten their safety or the safety of their parents or caregivers. Disasters are unfamiliar events that are not easily understood by children, who can find them emotionally confusing and frightening. During the time of turmoil, they may be left with a person unfamiliar to them and provided with limited information. Some warning signs of distress in children ages 6 to 11 include:

Withdrawing from playgroups and friends

Competing more for the attention of parents and teachers

Being unwilling to leave home

Being less interested in schoolwork

Becoming aggressive

Having added conflict with peers or parents

Having difficulty concentrating

For teens, the impact of disasters varies depending on how much of a disruption the disaster causes their family or community. Teens ages 12 to 18 are likely to have physical complaints when under stress or be less interested in schoolwork, chores, or other responsibilities. Although some teens may compete vigorously for attention from parents and teachers after a disaster, they also may:

Become withdrawn

Is .22 a good survival round?

As a survival tool, the . 22 rifle serves its purpose well. In addition to being effective against small game, such as squirrels and rabbits, the ....

Last updated Sep 15, 2020

Can you just claim land UK?

Generally speaking, if you have been occupying lands that you do not own, rent or otherwise have permission to use in excess of 12 years (or in the...

Last updated Oct 28, 2021

Promotion

Resist authority

Become disruptive or aggressive at home or in the classroom

Experiment with high-risk behaviors such as underage drinking or prescription drug misuse and abuse

Children and teens most at risk for emotional distress include those who:

Survived a previous disaster

Experienced temporary living arrangements, loss of personal property, and parental unemployment in a disaster

Lost a loved one or friend involved in a disaster

Most young people simply need additional time to experience their world as a secure place again and receive some emotional support to recover from their distress. The reactions of children and teens to a disaster are strongly influenced by how parents, relatives, teachers, and caregivers respond to the event. They often turn to these individuals for comfort and help. Teachers and other mentors play an especially important role after a disaster or other crisis by reinforcing normal routines to the extent possible, especially if new routines have to be established.

Access SAMHSA publications on helping youth cope with disaster-related emotional distress:

Learn about coping tips for dealing with natural and human-caused disasters.

Adults impacted by disaster are faced with the difficult challenge of balancing roles as first responders, survivors, and caregivers. They are often overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of responsibility and immediate task of the crisis response and recovery at hand. They must also take the time to address their own physical and emotional needs as well as those of their family members and community.

Warnings signs of stress in adults may include:

Crying spells or bursts of anger

Difficulty eating

Losing interest in daily activities

Increasing physical distress symptoms such as headaches or stomach pains

Fatigue

Feeling guilty, helpless, or hopeless

Avoiding family and friends

Exposure to other traumas, including severe accidents, abuse, assault, combat, or rescue work

Chronic medical illness or psychological disorders

Chronic poverty, homelessness, or discrimination

Recent or subsequent major life stressors or emotional strain, such as single parenting

Those who survived a previous disaster

Those who lost a loved one or friend involved in a disaster

Those who lack economic stability and/or knowledge of the English language

Older adults that may lack mobility or independence

As with children and teens, adults also need time to get back into their normal routine. It is important that people try to accept whatever reactions they have related to the disaster. Take every day one-at-a-time and focus on taking care of your own disaster-related needs and those of your family. Read SAMHSA’s Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress – 2007 for additional information. Learn about coping tips for dealing with natural and human-caused disasters.

Warning Signs and Risk Factors for First Responders and Recovery Workers

First responders and recovery workers include:

Fire fighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, 911 operators, and other fire, emergency, and medical personnel

Military service men and women

What are the 5 necessities in life?

Food, water, clothing, sleep, and shelter are the bare necessities for anyone's survival. For many people, these basic needs can not be met without...

Last updated Nov 16, 2022

What are the 10 basic needs of all living things?

So, what do all living things need? Sunlight, water, air, habitat, and food are the basic needs of all living things. Without one or more of these...

Last updated Sep 30, 2021

Promotion

Clergy

Staff and volunteers serving with disaster-relief organizations, including sheltering, animal rescue, food service, and crisis counseling First responders and recovery workers are not only physically and emotionally tested during an emergency, but they also may have loved ones in the area for whom they are concerned. They also are often the last to seek help for work-related stress.

Warnings signs of stress in responders and recovery workers may include:

Experiencing a rapid heart rate, palpitations, muscle tensions, headaches, and tremors

Feeling fear or terror in life-threatening situations or perceived danger, as well as anger and frustration

Being disoriented or confused, having difficulty solving problems, and making decisions

Engaging in problematic or risky behaviors, such as taking unnecessary risks, failing to use personal protective equipment, or refusing to follow orders or leave the scene Becoming irritable or hostile in social situations, resorting to blaming, and failing to support teammates First responders and recovery workers most at risk for emotional distress include those who have experienced:

Prolonged separation from loved ones

Life-threatening situations

Trauma from having witnessed or been exposed in some way to difficult stories of survival or loss For first responders, being prepared for the job and strengthening stress management skills before a disaster assignment is the best protection from stress. Responder stress can be diminished by practicing for the disaster role, developing a personal toolkit of stress management skills, and preparing themselves and loved ones for a disaster.

Get information in SAMHSA publications on helping first responders and recovery workers:

Learn about coping tips for dealing with natural and human-caused disasters.

Intimate Partner or Family Violence

Disasters can be extremely disruptive to individual families and community routines, leading to stress and inviting all types of violent behavior, including intimate partner violence or family violence. Women and girls can be particularly at risk. Following a disaster, resources for reporting violent crimes may be temporarily suspended or unavailable. For women and girls who have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or family violence, this can further heighten their sense of isolation and vulnerability. Before, during, and after a disaster, what may seem like fighting between intimate partners or family members may actually be a symptom of a larger pattern of abuse. Further, during the response and recovery phase after a disaster, the risk for violence against women and girls becomes greater. These disaster survivors may become displaced from their homes and moved to shelters or temporary housing, where they encounter overcrowded, co-ed living conditions and a lack of security, among other things. If you or someone you care about is or may be experiencing intimate partner, sexual, or family abuse or violence, call the Disaster Distress Helpline. Other resources are also available:

samhsa.gov - Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Emotional Distress | SAMHSA

Does Lauren still talk to Lo?

Even though the former best friends don't appear to be as close as they once were on Laguna Beach or The Hills, there doesn't seem to be any bad...

Last updated Dec 30, 2019

How can I change my life in 10 days?

How to Change Your Life in 10 Days 1 – Learn How to Not Win. Letting go of the desire to always win can help heal relationships that are wrought...

Last updated Nov 4, 2020

Promotion

How do you get tested for ADHD?

If you are concerned about whether a child might have ADHD, the first step is to talk with a healthcare provider to find out if the symptoms fit...

Last updated Jan 18, 2019

Promotion

How often should a father see his son?

Child Visitation Schedule Options While there's no one-size-fits-all routine, a typical visitation schedule may include: Overnights every other...

Last updated Oct 4, 2019