Health Library

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

What Are Some Causes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

PTSD is often thought of as an illness that soldiers get after going to war. We now know that PTSD is much more complicated than that. Any person of any age may develop PTSD after experiencing traumas such as:

• Physical harm or threats of harm
• Witnessing a friend or family member being seriously hurt
• Being a victim of or witnessing a crime, serious accident or life-threatening illness
• Natural disasters or terrorism
• Sexual abuse or assault
• Psychological abuse or neglect
• Sudden or violent loss of a loved one
• Family or community violence

A child’s or teen’s risk for developing PTSD may depend on how close they were to the trauma, the severity of the trauma, and how long the trauma lasted. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Having a strong support system, good coping skills, and being able to respond and act even when afraid are resiliency factors that reduce the risk of PTSD.

What Are Signs and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Kids?

Children and teens with PTSD experience extreme emotional, mental and physical distress when exposed to situations that remind them of the traumatic event. Some may repeatedly experience the trauma in the form of nightmares and flashbacks.

The following are the most common symptoms of PTSD. Each child or teen may experience PTSD in different ways, and may have some or all of these symptoms:

• Trouble sleeping or with appetite
• Depression and guilt
• Being on constant alert for trouble and watching out for danger
• Being easily startled
• Losing interest in things they used to enjoy
• Feeling numb and lacking emotions, feeling alone
• Becoming irritable or angry and possibly violent
• Avoiding certain places or situations that bring back memories
• Having flashbacks or intrusive images (flashbacks can come in the form of images, sounds, smells or feelings; a person usually believes that the traumatic event is happening all over again)
• Spacing out / losing touch with reality
• Acting as if they are reliving the experience for a period of seconds or hours or, very rarely, days
• Having problems in school; difficulty concentrating
• Worrying about safety or dying at an early age
• Acting younger than their age (for example, thumb sucking)
• Feeling sick (headaches, stomachaches)
• Using drugs or alcohol
• Having thoughts of hurting themselves or someone else

In very young children, symptoms can include bedwetting, acting out the trauma while playing, being “clingy” with their caregivers, and regressing in their development.

How is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosed?

PTSD is diagnosed if symptoms persist for more than one month and are adversely affecting the child's life and level of functioning. In those who are diagnosed with PTSD, symptoms usually begin within three months following the trauma, but can also start months or years later.

The length of the illness varies. Some people recover within six months, others have symptoms that last much longer.

A qualified mental health professional usually diagnoses PTSD in children or teens after meeting and talking with them and completing a full evaluation, which includes a diagnostic interview and trauma symptom checklist.

How is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treated?

PTSD can be treated. Getting help soon after the symptoms appear is very important and can help reduce the severity of symptoms. Parents should arrange an evaluation with a healthcare professional as soon as signs and symptoms of PTSD are noticed.

Specific treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder will be determined by your child's physician or mental health provider based on:

• Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• The extent of your child's symptoms
• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies

Treatment should always be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the child and family. Treatment recommendations may include cognitive behavior therapies or parent training. Some children may also benefit from treatment with medications.

Recovery from PTSD depends on the child or teen’s internal strengths, coping skills and resiliency (ability to "bounce back") as well as the severity of the trauma, frequency of re-exposure of traumatic events, and the presence of other mental health disorders. Recovery is most influenced by the support given within the family environment. Parents play a vital supportive role in the treatment process.

How Can Childhood Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder be Prevented?

Parents cannot prevent all tragedy, but they may work to prevent some types of traumatic events by:

• Teaching children that it is okay to say NO to someone who tries to touch their body or approach them in any way that makes them feel uncomfortable
• Teaching children that it is okay to tell an adult they trust right away if someone makes them feel uncomfortable
• Encouraging violence prevention programs within the community or local school system
• Fostering school programs to deal with severe emotional distress

For More Information

For additional information on this topic, visit the National Institute of Mental Health website or the National Child Traumatic Stress Network website.