Tsunami Disaster - Psychosocial Care for Children [PDF] - Nimhans

After a horrifying disaster like the tsunami, it is inevitable that children will indulge in antisocialacts such as stealing, substance abuse, and use of foul language. This in no way should be interpretedas reflecting the child’s character. Instead it is more a reaction of the child to the pain andtrauma that he/she has gone through - a response to the event the child has been unable to comprehendand cope with. If one understands this, then one is in a better position to help the child in therecovery process.REACTIONS SEEN IN CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPSAfter a disaster, children can show physical reactions, emotional reactions and there can bebehavioral changes. These are normal reactions to an abnormal event in their life. Children of differentage groups react differently as they perceive the event differently. The reactions are temporaryfor most children and some support and attention can help them to overcome the trauma and reachtheir normal level of functioning. Given below are the reactions shown by children of different agegroups:Preschool (1–5 years)„ Temper tantrums„ Crying – whimpering or screaming„ Excessive clinging and demanding„ Regressive behavior (thumb sucking, wanting to be carried, bed-wetting)„ Loss of bowel/bladder control„ Fear of darkness„ Fear of being left alone„ Easily frightened and then angry„ Sleep disturbances- gets up crying, unable to sleep alone, nightmares„ Sensitivity to loud noises„ Fears weather- lightening, rain, strong winds„ Moodiness,irritability„ Helplessness and confusion„ Loss of appetite„ Speech difficulties„ Increased aggression, especially in boys*3-year-old Santosh had been a very playful boy earlier. The waves of the tsunamidestroyed his house. Since then he has become very quiet, always clings to his mother andinsists that his mother carry him all the time unlike before. He does not eat properly andTOT INFORMATION MANUAL - 1 11