From a New Zealand news source, an article that warrants serious consideration. See Quake stress hurting our young. One in five kids shows signs of stress disorder.  It deals with the aftermath of the Christchurch Earthquakes of  2011 and 2012, some excerpts from the article:

Research is showing that the Canterbury earthquakes have caused more trauma in young children than expected. So how bad is it and what can be done?

 It could be serious. Researchers say they do not want to alarm, but a generation of children may be carrying around the unprocessed trauma of the Canterbury earthquakes.

Canterbury University school of health sciences associate professor Dr Kathleen Liberty says a study of 5-year-olds starting primary school in east and south Christchurch is finding that as many as one in five now exhibit the classic symptoms of post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

 “These kids are having difficulty coping which shows through being irritable and clingy. They are aggressive and withdrawn – both reactions to anxiety. They are having difficulties concentrating, difficulties learning, difficulties working in groups with other children.”

 The level of trauma is unexpectedly high. Liberty says people are probably being caught out by the myth that young children are less formed and therefore more resilient to life shocks than adults.

 The belief is that any psychological effect of the quakes ought to be forgotten quickly and so the problem is going unrecognised, she says. “Parents will just think their kids are acting up.”

Thanks for Ian McLean for pointing out this article.