We often think of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a mental illness that only soldiers suffer from. In fact, it has been referred to in the past as Shell Shock or Combat Fatigue.(1)
While PTSD is common in those individuals who have seen and experienced war, unfortunately, any person who has experienced trauma can develop PTSD.
This even includes children.
So what should you be looking for if you suspect that your child or another child in your life has PTSD? And how can you help them? Let’s talk about it.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of PTSD specifically relating to the trauma include:
Flashbacks to the traumatic event
Intense distress when memories of the traumatic event are triggered
Avoidance of people or places associated with the event
Denial that the trauma happened
Reenacting the event
Those struggling with PTSD also tend to experience other symptoms such as:
Nightmares and sleep disturbances
Ongoing sadness, fear, and anxiety
Increased aggression or violent outbursts
Lack of positive emotions
Inability to show affection
Being hypersensitive to possible threats
Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
Loss of interest in hobbies and activities previously enjoyed
Symptoms must continue for at least one month before a diagnosis of PTSD will be given. PTSD symptoms often appear around 3 months after the traumatic event but can appear months or even years after the event.
It’s essential to understand PTSD across the lifespan and how it can look different in children than it does in adults. Many professionals have worked tirelessly to develop diagnostic criteria for PTSD in children that are developmentally appropriate.(2)(3)
Children with PTSD may have unique symptoms such as having problems at school or regressing to behaviors like thumb-sucking or bedwetting. They also may be overly worried about dying at a young age.(5)
Causes
A variety of traumatic events can cause PTSD. These include:
Sexual, emotional, or physical abuse or neglect
Being a witness to or a victim of a crime
Watching serious illness or death in a loved one
Natural disasters, such as a hurricane or tornado
Serious car accidents
Invasive medical procedures
This list is not exhaustive. Any event that is traumatic can trigger symptoms of PTSD in a person.
It’s important to remember that not every person experiences and processes events in the same way. Two people can experience the exact same event and only one person may emerge with PTSD. This is totally normal and does not mean that there is anything wrong with that person. They simply need more support to work through their trauma.
Risk Factors
Some children are more likely to experience PTSD than others. Genetics play a role, along with a child’s temperament. A more anxious or nervous child may be more likely to develop symptoms of PTSD.
A history of personal mental illness or having many family members with mental illness can also make a child predisposed to developing PTSD
Treatments
Psychotherapy
Many types of psychotherapy may be beneficial to treat PTSD. Using the variety of psychotherapy methods available, a therapist or psychologist will encourage a child to speak, draw, play, or write about the traumatic event.(8) As the mental health professional and patient converse, they examine the patient’s thoughts and feelings to determine the best way to change them for the better.
Many people are hesitant to try psychotherapy but having a non-judgmental, objective person listen to the sufferer can be incredibly healing. Plus, they will also help a person navigate the best way to cope with their symptoms.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is most often the first line of treatment after a diagnosis of PTSD. This type of therapy helps children recognize their thought processes and feelings around the traumatic event. CBT helps a person identify distortions, or inaccuracies, in their thinking that are causing them harm.
Then, a mental health professional will help the child learn how to reframe their thoughts and change their behavior. They learn problem-solving skills and coping techniques to better handle their symptoms when they strike.
If there are other mental health illnesses at play, CBT is a great option.(7) CBT has been proven effective in treating many mental health disorders including anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and more.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is another technique used in CBT that gives sufferers more tools to manage their stress.(9) This method may be useful for children with PTSD to understand what emotions they’re feeling, how their reactions affect their relationships with others, and what behavioral skills can help change those emotions and reactions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy is another type of psychotherapy that may be useful in treating PTSD. (9) This technique helps a child become more aware of their thoughts and feelings and works towards acceptance of them. Then, the mental health professional will encourage the child to commit to specific changes that will increase their ability to cope with their feelings and adjust better in stressful situations.
Supportive Psychotherapy
Supportive psychotherapy focuses on improving both a sufferer’s symptoms and their self-esteem.(10) The mental health professional is a source of comfort, support, and empathy to the child as they examine their emotional responses and behaviors. Praise, reassurance, and encouragement are used to help the child feel more comfortable with their emotions.
Medication
If a child is not experiencing improvements in their symptoms with therapy, medications may be prescribed as the next option. The use of medications in children should be used sparingly and under the careful supervision of mental health and medical professionals.
PTSD Awareness Month in the US
June marks PTSD Awareness Month in the United States. The goals of this event include raising awareness, understanding PTSD, and getting support. There’s an activity you can complete every day in June or you can join the Virtual Walk, walking 30 minutes every day to raise awareness for PTSD.
To check out more of the resources and events available, visit: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/index.asp
PTSD affects about 4% of people worldwide.(6) It is dark and scary, but it does not have to be tackled alone.
Children experiencing PTSD need us to come alongside them and support them through this difficult illness. With the right treatment, full recovery is possible.
Check out my podcast, Genius Little Minds, for more information on topics such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can even submit questions you have about your own children at the bottom of this page!
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References
https://www.talkspace.com/mental-health/conditions/articles/history-of-ptsd/
De Young, A.C., Landolt, M.A. PTSD in Children Below the Age of 6 Years. Curr Psychiatry Rep 20, 97 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0966-z
Pate, Kailey Marie, "A Comprehensive Review of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children" (2020). USF St. Petersburg campus Honors Program Theses (Undergraduate) https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/honorstheses/263
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral