CHILDREN MAY EXPERIENCE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF DISASTER Rural
Mental Health Project Cooperative Extension Service Kansas State
University Children need time to heal from traumatic events.
Studies of children following natural disasters have shown that
children may experience emotional and behavioral effects for
months, one year or even two years following the disaster. -
Nightmares become more common, especially about the disaster.
Vivid memories may intrude during the day. - Young children
reenact parts of the disaster in their play. - Storms bring
fear. - Preschoolers tend to personify the disaster in some way.
The flood may become like an evil person in their eyes. -
Children generally feel more anxiety than their parents are
aware of. Increasing physical complaints (headaches, stomach
aches) may be caused by stress and anxiety. - Academic
performance suffers; falling grades, disruptiveness in class,
rudeness and falling asleep in class contribute to academic
problems. - After severe disasters, even children