Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop at any age, including childhood. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
What causes childhood PTSD?
PTSD in children may be caused by:
- Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse
- Domestic violence
- School violence or trauma at school
- Neglect
- Serious accidents or medical procedures
- Natural disasters
- Death or loss of a loved one
- War or terrorism
Younger children are more vulnerable to developing PTSD after a traumatic experience than older children or adults. This is because their brains are still developing, so trauma can affect healthy development.
What are the symptoms of childhood PTSD?
Children may show PTSD symptoms differently than adults. Common symptoms include:
- Reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks, nightmares, or repetitive play.
- Avoiding reminders of the trauma like people, places, activities, objects, or situations.
- Increased negative thoughts and feelings such as fear, guilt, shame, or anger.
- Being easily startled.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.
- Changes in eating habits.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Irritability, outbursts, or aggression.
- Being very clingy with parents or caregivers.
- Regression in previously mastered skills like potty training or speaking.
How does childhood PTSD affect development?
PTSD can interfere with a child’s developmental milestones and cause:
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Poor impulse control
- Low self-esteem
- Social isolation
- Problems building trust
- Attachment issues
- Defiance or aggression
- Risk-taking behaviors
- Problems succeeding at school
When should I seek help for my child?
If your child exhibits PTSD symptoms for over a month after a traumatic event, seek help from a mental health professional. Leaving childhood PTSD untreated can lead to chronic issues like depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
Early intervention is key. Treatment is most effective when started soon after symptoms appear. Look for a child therapist or counselor with experience treating childhood PTSD.
How is childhood PTSD treated?
Treatment focuses on helping the child process their trauma in a healthy way to prevent long-term effects. Common treatments include:
- Therapy: Talk therapy helps children express their feelings, develop coping strategies, and process traumatic memories. Play therapy may be used for younger children.
- Medication: Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are sometimes prescribed, but therapy is still needed.
- Family therapy: Sessions involve both the child and parents to improve communication and create a supportive home environment.
Alternative treatments like art, music, or animal therapy can also help children express themselves in a safe environment.
What can parents do at home?
In addition to professional treatment, parents can provide support at home:
- Listen to your child’s fears and concerns without judgment.
- Reassure your child they are safe and the traumatic event is over.
- Maintain routines and structure as much as possible.
- Limit media exposure to distressing images or stories.
- Help your child relax before bed with a bath or reading time.
- Be patient – recovery takes time.
- Take care of yourself too – you can’t help your child if you are overwhelmed.
What is the outlook for childhood PTSD?
With early, appropriate treatment, many children can recover from PTSD. Therapy helps them process trauma, develop coping skills, and regain a sense of normalcy and safety.
Family support also makes a big difference. Creating a stable home environment helps counteract the disruption caused by trauma.
While some symptoms may still resurface during adolescence, treatment can minimize long-term effects on mental health, behavior, and development.
When to seek emergency help
Get emergency assistance if your child talks about harming themselves or others, has destructive outbursts, or shows any unusual behavior that concerns you. Call emergency services, take your child to the nearest hospital emergency room, or call your child’s doctor or mental health provider.
Preventing childhood PTSD
While not all childhood trauma can be avoided, parents can help minimize the impact and lower PTSD risk:
- Provide a safe, loving home.
- Teach children safety skills without overwhelming them.
- Limit media exposure to frightening images or stories.
- Get medical care quickly after any injury or trauma.
- Seek counseling after a traumatic event like a car accident or sexual abuse.
- Have your child evaluated if PTSD symptoms develop.
The takeaway
Childhood PTSD causes intense stress that can derail healthy development. Seeking treatment early on gives children the tools to process trauma in a healthy way. With family support and appropriate therapy, children can recover and avoid long-term effects of PTSD.