|
All children and adolescents experience stressful events
which can affect them both emotionally and physically. Their reactions to
stress are usually brief, and they recover without further problems. A child
or adolescent who experiences a catastrophic event may develop ongoing
difficulties known as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The stressful or
traumatic event involves a situation where someone’s life has been threatened
or severe injury has occurred (ex. they may be the victim or a witness of
physical abuse, sexual abuse, violence in the home or in the community,
automobile accidents, natural disasters (such as flood, fire, earthquakes),
and being diagnosed with a life threatening illness). A child’s risk of
developing PTSD is related to the seriousness of the trauma, whether the
trauma is repeated, the child’s proximity to the trauma, and his/her
relationship to the victim(s).
Following the trauma, children may initially show agitated
or confused behavior. They also may show intense fear, helplessness, anger,
sadness, horror or denial. Children who experience repeated trauma may
develop a kind of emotional numbing to deaden or block the pain and trauma.
This is called dissociation. Children with PTSD avoid situations or places
that remind them of the trauma. They may also become less responsive
emotionally, depressed, withdrawn, and more detached from their feelings.
A child with PTSD may also re-experience the traumatic
event by:
 having frequent memories of the event, or in
young children, play in which some or all of the trauma is repeated over and
over
having upsetting and frightening dreams
acting or feeling like the experience is
happening again
developing repeated physical or emotional
symptoms when the child is reminded of the event
Children with PTSD may also show the following symptoms:
worry about dying at an early age
losing interest in activities
having physical symptoms such as headaches and
stomachaches
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),
"Facts for Families," No. 70 (10/99)
showing more sudden and extreme emotional
reactions
having problems falling or staying asleep
showing irritability or angry outbursts
having problems concentrating
acting younger than their age (for example,
clingy or whiny behavior, thumbsucking)
showing increased alertness to the environment
repeating behavior that reminds them of the
trauma
The symptoms of PTSD may last from several months to many
years. The best approach is prevention of the trauma. Once the trauma has
occurred, however, early intervention is essential. Support from parents,
school, and peers is important. Emphasis needs to be placed upon establishing
a feeling of safety. Psychotherapy (individual, group, or family) which
allows the child to speak, draw, play, or write about the event is helpful.
Behavior modification techniques and cognitive therapy may help reduce fears
and worries. Medication may also be useful to deal with agitation, anxiety,
or depression.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists can be very helpful in
diagnosing and treating children with PTSD. With the sensitivity and support
of families and professionals, youngsters with PTSD can learn to cope with
the memories of the trauma and go on to lead healthy and productive lives.
|
