Psychological Effects of Removing Children From Their Homes

By Don Rainwater, eHow Contributor

There are several psychological effects children can suffer if they are removed from their home. Whether it is a judgment by the state or a decision made by the family, the long- and short-term psychological damage can be detrimental to the child. The child could suffer from depression, separation anxiety, behavior disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder.

1. Depression

   • When a child is separated from his family, depression may occur. Depression can cause a drop in school work, irritability, sleep issues, anger and emotional outbursts. In some occasions suicidal ideology or self-harm could manifest. Depression can be caused by a lack of organization or family cohesion. If separation or divorce occurs, or a child is forcibly removed from the environment he is used to, the sudden loss of people he depends on or loves can cause dramatic effects in personality and ability to cope with certain social situations. Depression can be treated with pharmaceuticals.

   Separation Anxiety

   • Four to 5 percent of children in 2011 suffer from separation anxiety. This disorder manifests when a young child is taken from her caregiver or parent. Minor anxiety occurs in infants when their parents leave the room. Usually the child gets over the anxiety when she realizes that the caregiver is going to return. Separating a child from her home who is predisposed to anxiety can carry on the disorder to later developmental years. A child suffering from this disorder will cry, become nervous and sometimes cannot adjust to the new environment no matter how nurturing that environment is. Counseling instead of medication is the best treatment for anxiety disorder.

   Behavior Disorders

   • Separation from a family could leave a child with behavior disorders. Oppositional defiance disorder, ODD, is common once a child has gone through a separation from family or a removal from a home. Defiance, questioning of rules, arguments with adults and vengeful statements are all signs of a behavior disorder. Psychotherapy is the recommended treatment for behavior disorders, and disorders or behaviors left unaddressed could become a conduct disorder. Suggestions for helping a child with a behavior disorder is to take timeouts or breaks if the child is showing negative behavior and to always look toward the positive of a situation.

   Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

   • Children who are removed from their homes can be subject to post-traumatic stress disorder. Usually a child who goes through a stressful situation can recover quickly, but when a child goes through a traumatic event, such as witnessing violence or being pulled from her home, PTSD can develop. This can be a lifelong disorder where the child can display anger, fear, denial or horror. Psychotherapy and supplying the child with a circle of safety is the best treatment.
      

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Psychological Effects of Removing Children From Their Homes