|  | Mental Health | Stress

PTSD Symptoms in Children

All children experience traumatic events, be it physical or emotional, as part of growing up. However, in extreme cases, a child who experiences a catastrophic event may exhibit symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In many cases, children suffering from PTSD have experienced a life threatening situation or severe injury or witnessed one of the two. Childhood PTSD can also be the result of childhood physical or sexual abuse. Other cases of childhood PTSD are the result of experiencing a natural disaster, car or airplane crash, or other physical trauma. Childhood PTSD can also result from a child's internalizing of a traumatic event that has happened to a close friend or family member.

  1. Initial Symptoms

    • Initial symptoms of PTSD in a child can include strong feelings of fear, depression, hopelessness, denial, anger, sadness or helplessness.

    Effects of Repeated Trauma

    • Children who experience repeated trauma, such as in cases of repeated physical or sexual abuse, can suffer from disassociation. Disassociation is an emotional numbing to block the pain of repeated traumas. They tend to avoid places and situations that remind them of the trauma and become emotionally withdrawn and unresponsive when reminded of the trauma.

    Re-Living the Event

    • Children suffering from PTSD often have frequent memories of the event. In very young children, aspects of the event sometimes appear in play scenarios. Children sometimes suffer from dreams and nightmares related to the event or events and sometimes, upon waking, act or feel as if the event is occurring again. In some cases, the child will exhibit emotional or physical symptoms when reminded of the event.

    Other Symptoms of PTSD

    • Children suffering from PTSD will often worry about dying at a young age. Some children will lose interest in activities that they previously enjoyed and be irritable with strong anger outbursts. In some cases, exhibitions of more intense emotional responses that are more sudden and extreme than previously noted may occur. Sometimes a child will show increased environmental alertness, yet have trouble concentrating. In some cases a child may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

    Physical Symptoms

    • Physical symptoms may sometimes occur in children suffering from PTSD. These symptoms can include headaches and digestive problems, including indigestion and stomach aches. In certain extreme cases, sweating and nausea can occur.

Stress - Related Articles