“Sadly, girls’ trauma is more likely to be missed than that of boys. In children younger than about 11, boys tend to act out and behave badly if they are unhappy - so their trauma is noticed and (hopefully) addressed.Girls tend to react by becoming “people pleasers”. It’s as if they see trauma as a punishment, and hope that they can avoid it by being “good”. They will talk less, work harder, always be springing up ready to help anyone with anything at the slightest indication they may want it. They watch the emotional states of adults like a hawk and soothe, placate and offer practical help at the slightest sign of anger or displeasure. As this is the kind of behavior encouraged in girls, no one takes any notice until it’s too late.”