Types of Childhood Trauma

Distressing events, such as abuse or witnessing violence, can affect a child’s physical health, emotions, and social skills. Knowing the different types of childhood trauma can help parents respond effectively.

This guide covers 14 examples of childhood trauma and offers a list of resources for families.

Types of Childhood Trauma

Young people may face different types of childhood trauma during their lives. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network lists bullying, abuse, medical challenges, and loss among them [*]:

Neglect

A common misconception is that trauma only involves violence or visible harm, but neglect can be just as damaging, even when there are no physical injuries.

Neglect happens when a child’s basic needs are not consistently met, such as not receiving enough food, appropriate clothing, medical care, supervision, or emotional support.

This can occur for many different reasons. Sometimes caregivers are struggling with their own challenges, such as mental health difficulties, substance use, financial hardship, or lack of support.

Bullying

Bullying is repeated hurtful behavior toward a child or teen, happening in person or online. It can take the form of teasing, threats, being left out, or spreading rumors. Bullying at school is affecting children worldwide, which requires coordinated efforts to prevent and address [*].

Children who are bullied may experience low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, or difficulties with their schoolwork. In more severe cases, bullying can contribute to self-harm or suicidal behaviors. Bystanders, or those who witness bullying, can also feel guilty for not intervening.

Caring adults can help by acknowledging what their child is going through. Aside from observing for signs of distress, they need to work together with teachers or school staff to address bullying. Professional help, such as counseling or therapy, can teach children coping strategies.

Community Violence

Community violence includes acts of aggression or crime that children may see or experience. These events can happen at home, at school, or in their neighborhood. Even if a child isn’t the direct target, witnessing violence can be scary and make familiar places feel unsafe.

Children exposed to community violence may develop ongoing fear. Some may have trouble sleeping, while others may show increased aggression [*].

In the aftermath of community violence, children need caring adults to help them feel safe again. Let children share feelings like fear or anger. Remind them that they are protected. Returning to familiar routines can help restore a sense of normal life.

Complex Trauma

Complex trauma refers to a child's exposure to multiple traumatic events, often caused by people close to them. This may include repeated abuse, chronic exposure to instability, or several types of trauma over time, and can deeply affect a child's sense of safety and self-worth.

Being exposed to complex trauma leads to difficulty with emotional regulation and forming healthy relationships. Children may appear hypervigilant, withdrawn, or easily overwhelmed, as their nervous system is stuck in a state of heightened alert.

Complex trauma typically requires ongoing, structured intervention. Evidence-based, trauma-informed therapies include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Disasters

Disasters include natural or human-made events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, floods, or large-scale accidents. These unpredictable events can leave children feeling powerless.

After a disaster, children may experience nightmares, anxiety, clinginess, or fear that the event will happen again. Being forced to leave home or see someone get badly hurt or die can increase distress.

Helping children recover after a disaster involves restoring a sense of stability as soon as possible. You can listen to their worries and correct misconceptions about danger using age-appropriate language. Let them know there is a plan in place to protect them [*].

Early Childhood Trauma

Early childhood trauma occurs during the first years of life, when the brain is rapidly developing. Trauma at this stage may include neglect, abuse, prolonged separation from caregivers, or unmet basic needs. Even when children are too young to remember them, their brains can still be affected.

Young children who experience trauma may show delays in development and struggle to self-soothe. Their ability to learn, pay attention, and remember things may also be affected because trauma can impact the brain’s cortex.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is the most studied treatment for young children. It helps reduce trauma symptoms and can be adjusted for preschoolers [*].

Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence, also called domestic violence exposure, occurs when a child is exposed to violence or control between caregivers or adults in the home. Even if a child is not physically harmed, witnessing this violence can feel frightening.

Children worry about their own safety or the safety of the people they love. They may experience low self-esteem, difficulties with relationships, and challenges with learning. However, some kids learn to cope with what they are experiencing and find strength through supportive relationships with caregivers, teachers, friends, or community members [*].

Children can be helped by noticing concerns early and examining what may be happening at home. Support works best when it focuses on helping them feel safe and gives them tools to manage their emotions.

Medical Trauma

Medical trauma is when a child goes through frightening or painful medical experiences, such as emergency treatment or repeated procedures. Although care can be lifesaving, children may feel scared, especially if they don’t understand what’s happening.

Medical experiences that are frightening or painful can make children anxious about doctors, hospitals, or medical tools. They may get easily upset or have trouble sleeping.

Letting them know what to expect, staying calm, and having a caregiver present can help them cope. In some cases, therapy can help children work through their fears and regain a sense of safety.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the intentional use of force that causes physical harm to a child, such as hitting, shaking, or injuring them. Children rely on adults for safety and protection, so when the person they trust harms them, they can get confused and frightened.

Children who experience physical abuse may be more likely to act out aggressively or have trouble controlling their impulses. For example, they may get very angry quickly or lash out at others [*].

Early treatment is very important. As long as the source of abuse is removed and the child is kept safe, therapy can help them heal and learn how to cope. It is also important to provide parent training so caregivers can support their child’s recovery and build a safe, nurturing home.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse can be deeply harmful because it affects how a child sees themselves and how safe they feel in relationships. It may involve constant criticism, humiliation, rejection, threats, or being made to feel unloved or unimportant.

In some situations, a child may also experience gaslighting, where a caregiver denies or distorts what happened.

This kind of repeated stress can affect a child’s developing brain, especially areas involved in emotional regulation and self-worth.

Children who experience emotional abuse become emotionally dysregulated, which may manifest as intense mood swings, difficulty calming down, and heightened anxiety. They may also struggle to cope with everyday stress in healthy ways.

Refugee Trauma

Refugee trauma affects children who are forced to flee their home country due to war or violence. Children who are refugees experience multiple traumatic experiences before, during, and after displacement. This can include surviving dangerous journeys and adjusting suddenly to new cultures.

Research shows that war-related trauma increases the risk for anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [*]. Simply moving to a safer place does not automatically make a child’s fear go away. They still need support.

Helping children with refugee trauma isn’t just about addressing what happened to them before. They also need safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments, especially at school.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves any sexual activity imposed on a child. This includes inappropriate touching or exposure. It can occur in person or online and is carried out by someone the child knows and trusts.

Children who experience sexual abuse may feel shame, fear, or confusion. Some children may not talk about what happened right away.

It is important to believe them and protect them from further harm. A trauma-informed therapist can create a safe space where children can talk about their experiences at their own pace. Over time, therapy will help them rebuild a sense of safety and trust.

Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking occurs when a child is exploited for sexual purposes in exchange for money, shelter, or other necessities. Traffickers use manipulation to control the child, which makes it difficult for them to seek help.

Children who have been trafficked may seem withdrawn, scared, or unsure whom to trust. They struggle with shame or emotional pain. Some may stop going to school completely, especially if traffickers move them to different locations.

They need to be removed from danger and given medical care to address any injuries or malnutrition. Mental health care helps them process trauma and rebuild trust. Types of therapy that can help include TF-CBT, play therapy for younger children, or EMDR.

Terrorism and Violence

Seeing or hearing about shootings, bombings, or attacks (whether in their community or through news and media) can still lead to trauma in children.

Terrorism feels frightening because people never know when or where it might happen. This can cause children to feel scared or worried all the time, even if they are not in immediate danger [*].

Children affected by terrorism or violence need calm, honest support and a safe space to ask questions when they are ready. Adults can help by listening to children’s worries. Exposure to upsetting media needs to be limited, as repeated images or stories about violence can increase fear and anxiety.

Traumatic Grief

Traumatic grief, sometimes called traumatic loss, occurs when a child loses someone close in a sudden way. The trauma connected to the loss can make feelings of sadness and grief more intense.

Children may show sadness, fear, or anger. Some may withdraw from friends, have trouble sleeping, or struggle in school. It’s important to note that children move in and out of their grief, which is why they may cry one moment and play the next. This doesn’t mean they aren’t sad. Playing helps them take a break from overwhelming feelings.

Interventions for childhood traumatic grief help children cope with both the trauma they experienced and the sadness of losing someone. These strategies can also be adapted to support children dealing with temporary separations, such as being apart from a parent.

Race-Based Trauma

Race-based trauma is the emotional and mental stress a child feels from experiencing or seeing racism, discrimination, or unfair treatment. This may happen at school, in the community, or even online.

Children affected by race-based trauma may feel unsafe or disconnected from their identity. Some may internalize negative messages, such as believing they are less capable or that they don’t belong.

It’s important to affirm their experiences and help them understand that the unfair treatment is not their fault. Caregivers and educators can also teach coping skills and provide safe spaces to express feelings. They can also connect children with a therapist if needed.

Resources

If you think your child may have experienced trauma, support is available. These trusted resources may help you understand your child’s needs and connect with services that promote safety and healing:

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• Child Welfare Information Gateway
• Prevent Child Abuse America
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)