Childhood Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)  

Childhood Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)  

Jeanette Loftus 

Children with PTSD have experienced a traumatic event which can lead to the development of an exaggerated anxious stress response. An example of this is if they have experienced a stressful life event such as a natural disaster or if they have been abused. Children who are most at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder are children who witnessed a traumatic event and were hurt directly or already have other anxieties prior to the traumatic event. 

A child with post-traumatic stress disorder can re-experience trauma and have nightmare's or think about their past traumatic experiences. 

Children are resilient, the good news is that many children who have experienced a traumatic event will not develop PTSD or they will recover in a small amount of time. 

Children who have post-traumatic stress disorder have experienced a traumatic event or sometimes if they have been abused. 

Children are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder if they have witnessed a traumatic event, were hurt directly or already have other anxieties prior to the traumatic event. 

A child with post-traumatic stress disorder can experience trauma over and over and have nightmares about the traumatic event or think about their past traumatic experiences.

Childhood Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disorder that affects children who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Children can develop PTSD after going through a frightening or dangerous threatening event, such as abuse or violence. It's estimated that about 5% of children in the United States struggle with PTSD. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a type of childhood anxiety disorder that occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. 

Children with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may experience intrusive thoughts, nightmares or some children may experience flashbacks about the traumatic event too. 

A common and effective therapy for children with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is play therapy. A therapist uses toys, games or maybe arts and crafts to help children express their feelings and cope with the traumatic event in a safe environment.

If your child has witnessed or experienced a traumatic event and is showing symptoms of PTSD, it is very important to seek help. Reach out to your doctor with your concerns.