Can a 2-Year-Old Child Be Traumatized by a Car Accident?

A car accident is enough to shake up anyone of any age, and your 2-year-old might not forget such an important event any time soon. In fact, you might notice your child going through a range of emotions related to the trauma of the collision. Knowing what to look for will clue you in to how your 2-year-old is feeling so you can help him overcome the traumatic accident.

  1. PTSD Isn't Just for Grownups

    • When you hear the words "post traumatic stress disorder," or PTSD, you likely think about victims of violent crimes or soldiers returning from war, but children are susceptible to the disorder as well. PTSD includes a range of symptoms that can occur following a traumatic event, such as an unexpected death of a loved one, witnessing an act of violence and even a car accident, according to KidsHealth. The symptoms are present when a child experiences flashbacks to the event and recalls memories of the trauma.

    Toddler Terror

    • Your toddler might experience PTSD because of hormonal changes that can follow a trauma, including a car accident. According to KidsHealth, children with PTSD can have abnormal levels of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine hormones, and each of these are involved in the human instinct of fight or flight that occurs in dangerous and scary situations. The signs and symptoms of PTSD generally appear within 3 months of the accident, but can appear at any time in the future. The most common signs you might notice in your toddler following a car accident include nightmares, distressing memories of the event, fear, anxiety, jumpiness, trouble sleeping, irritability, difficulty concentrating and avoidance of anything that reminds him of the trauma.

    Getting Help

    • Each child will experience trauma differently. Some children might not be affected by a car accident at all while other children might become fearful and withdrawn as the result of even a minor accident such as a fender bender. In other words, it can be tough to know if your child is experiencing PTSD or any feelings of anxiety, according to the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute. If you notice that your child isn't acting normally or appears fearful, make an appointment with his pediatrician who can give you advice or refer you to a counselor trained to help children deal with trauma.

    More To Think About

    • Even if your toddler doesn't have true PTSD, he might still be scared to ride in a car, or experience symptoms such as nightmares. While you can't expect that your toddler will never ride in the car again, reducing how often he goes on car trips to run errands can help him deal with his feelings. Let your child talk about his feelings and reassure him with calm, soothing words, recommends the Child Trauma Academy. Most children experience an improvement of symptoms within 3 months or so, the Child Trauma Academy notes, so seek help if your toddler doesn't seem to be getting better or is getting worse.

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