How do the effects of trauma on young children differ from those on teenagers?

Young children process and express trauma differently than teenagers due to their developmental stage. Young children often do not have the verbal skills or emotional maturity to articulate their feelings and experiences related to trauma directly. As a result, they may project their trauma through play, using toys and imaginative scenarios to recreate and make sense of what they have experienced. This type of play can serve as a coping mechanism, allowing children to express emotions they may not fully understand or be able to communicate verbally.

In contrast, teenagers typically possess advanced cognitive and emotional skills, enabling them to articulate their feelings and experiences more clearly. They may display trauma symptoms through behavior or mood changes, but they tend to have a more straightforward way of discussing their feelings compared to younger children. This age group might also engage in more complex coping strategies, yet the differences in expression and understanding of trauma are significant when considering their developmental stages.