Everything happened before their eyes. This Thursday, Abadlmasih H. attacked with a knife children present in a playground located in a park of Annecy (Haute-Savoie). Four children - all of whom were able to be operated on according to Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne - are among the six victims. But other children may also have been affected - from a psychiatric point of view - by these events. "The younger the children, the more vulnerable the brain is to this type of violence," says Muriel Salmona, psychiatrist and president of the Association Mémoire Traumatique et Victimologie.
Concretely, Muriel Salmona explains that even if children "do not understand anything" in the sense of what is happening before their eyes, an alert is created in their head at the time of the facts. "The brain puts the person in a state of astonishment in the face of a completely crazy event. It creates trauma," she explains. The brain sets up a "safeguard to protect the person" mechanism to manage "extreme stress" that would represent a "vital risk" without the establishment of this "shield".
Children 'may look indifferent'
If these young children do not concretely understand what is happening before their eyes, they can nevertheless "realize" that an unusual and "dangerous" situation is occurring. "Children may appear disconnected, with the impression of being spectators of the event. They can look indifferent to this state of shock," explains Muriel Salmona, according to whom young age "amplifies this state" of astonishment. According to her, the child's lack of reaction, or if he subsequently reacts as if nothing had happened, is often the "most worrying", since it reflects a state of shock.
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So, what consequences for the youngest witnesses of the tragedy? At first, "the memory circuit can be interrupted," says this specialist. Similarly, it can subsequently generate "very important" anxiety disorders or even depression from an early age. "The child may feel that he or she is reliving the same situation of imminent death, danger or distress." For child psychiatrist Agnès Pargade, other sequelae such as "nightmares" can also arise later. "Similarly, it can involve the child's appetite or ability to smile," she says.
To overcome this, Muriel Salmona believes that "immediate psychiatric care" is necessary. "Parents need to quickly assess their children's symptoms," she says. Otherwise psychotraumatic disorders may develop with long-term repercussions." "The longer we wait, the greater the risk that victims will feel that they are reliving this scene frequently." According to her, "we must be able to accompany the victims and give them care to treat this traumatic memory", including with medication if necessary. "In any case, an immediate de-echocage must be carried out."
Reassuring children
Another question arises: how to act beyond psychological care? "Parents need to explain to children that this is something very rare," says Agnès Pargade. We must tell them that they will be protected, that parents will be very vigilant when they walk in a park with the child. What happened must be explained to them 'in simple words.'" Misunderstanding maintains the trauma," adds Muriel Salmona. Concretely, the two specialists interviewed believe that it is necessary to reassure the child and have a "cheerful" attitude with him. "Psychotrauma can heal," adds Muriel Salmona.
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The problem is that the parents of the children concerned may also have been traumatized by what they saw. "In this case, adults must first go to consult alone," advises Agnès Pargade. Another solution is to call on people who were not present on site at the time of the events, such as "grandparents or godparents".
A psychological cell has been opened for parents, including those of the Quai Jules school located not far from the park where the tragedy took place, said Thursday the mayor of Annecy François Astorg. Another was opened for city officers, as two city officials tried to stop the assailant in his run.
