ABSTRACT
This chapter presents case examples to illustrate the vulnerability of bereaved, traumatized children and adolescents, and delineates major challenges that confront them. It focuses on the impact of sensory stimuli and ways children manage traumatic anxiety, and briefly discusses post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In case examples, surviving children and teens reflect the array of challenges arising from a sudden, traumatic death. These include intellectual, practical, physical, emotional, social or interpersonal, and spiritual or existential challenges. The adult literature warns that tragic events outside of the usual range of human experience may result in symptoms collectively categorized as PTSD. The literature reflects diversity in the beliefs and practices of professionals who help bereaved children and adolescents to debrief, cope with the impact of a sudden tragic death, and prevent PTSD. Both group and individual intervention can be effective in debriefing bereaved traumatized children and adolescents and preventing PTSD.
