Understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children
For some children, the pain of certain events may be too much to bear. As a result, they may develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fortunately, there is hope for children who suffer trauma.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a series of symptoms that happen after a distressing event. A child may have anxiety, anger, and bad dreams. But PTSD can be treated. Working with a counselor and other health care providers will help your child. Recovery may take time. But your child can feel better.
Who is at risk for PTSD?
PTSD may follow a severe trauma. It may be something the child experiences. Or it may be an event the child sees or hears about. Even violent movies or TV shows can cause trauma.
A child is at risk for PTSD after any of these:
A rape or sexual assault
A car accident or plane crash
Physical and/or mental abuse
Being a victim or witness of violence, such as riots or wars
Natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods
The sudden death or hospitalization of a parent or other loved one
Symptoms of PTSD in children
Symptoms of PTSD often appear a few weeks after the trauma. But sometimes they may occur months or years later. A child with PTSD may have:
Bad dreams about the event.
Vivid memories of the event that seem real (flashbacks).
A fear of people or places connected with the event.
Reactions to things that remind them of the event the event (trauma cues) such as sights, sounds, people, smells, and places.
And they may:
Seem withdrawn and unfeeling.
Be nervous.
Have angry outbursts.
Have trouble sleeping or focusing.
Have headaches or other health problems.
Reenact the event over and over in play.
Treating PTSD
PTSD in a child can be treated with:
Trauma-focused psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy).
Other types of one-on-one or group talk therapy.
Medicines to manage anxiety, aggression, sleep disruption (insomnia, nightmares, frequent awakening), and depression.
It’s also important for a child to be with other children. It can make them feel less alone and help them work through their pain.
What you can do
You can play a large part in your child’s healing process. You can:
Accept your child's emotions. Remind them of your love and support.
Encourage them to share their feelings with you or a trusted doctor.
Schedule ongoing mental health care for them.
Ask school staff for support if PTSD causes problems with schoolwork or friendships.