Emotions and Behaviors After a Traumatic Injury

Traumatic experiences such as a burn can greatly affect a child’s behavior and mental health.

Your child may experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, body image changes, and behavioral changes after a burn injury. Please talk with a team member if you have concerns about how your child is coping.

Some emotional and behavioral responses children may have after a burn injury include:

• Difficulties with short-term memory, concentration and problem solving.
• Failing grades, disinterest in school, friends, and previously enjoyed activities.
• Generalized fear and anxiety.
• Nightmares, fear at night, and difficulty falling or staying asleep.
• Regressive behaviors such as bed-wetting, baby talk, thumb sucking, whining.
• Attachment anxiety such as clinging and excessive concern about parent leaving.
• Physical symptoms with no medical cause such as stomach aches, headaches, and other physical symptoms.
• Increased tantrums or meltdowns about seemingly small things.
• Arguing, fighting, or irritability.
• Older teens may have an increase in risky or acting-out behaviors such as substance. abuse, sexual acting out, delinquent behavior, skipping school, etc.