Glossary
Traumatic grief
When trauma reactions after a death, often a sudden one, get in the way of a child's daily life and happy memories.
Traumatic grief describes what happens when a death, often a sudden one, brings trauma reactions that make grieving harder. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (opens in a new tab) explains that many children adjust well after a death, but some develop childhood traumatic grief, with ongoing difficulties that interfere with everyday life and make it hard to recall positive memories of the person who died.
Traumatic grief can follow a sudden, unexpected death, such as an accident, or an expected one, such as after an illness. Signs can include:
- intrusive memories or nightmares about how the person died;
- avoiding reminders of the person or the place;
- being unable to think about happy times with them;
- strong fear, anger or numbness that lasts.
What helps: a calm, honest adult; steady routines; and, when trauma reactions persist, a mental health professional trained in childhood trauma and grief. The AAP (opens in a new tab) suggests talking with your child's doctor if difficulties persist, and calling or texting 988, or seeking emergency care, if a child may be at risk of suicide. See grief after a drowning and helping a child grieve a sibling.
What you can do today: if a child's fears or nightmares after a death aren't easing, call their pediatrician.