PTSD in Children & Adolescents

Traumatic Events

Traumatic events seem to be common place in today’s world. It seems we see a stream of never ending media reports of mass shootings, migrant children being separated from their parents, natural disasters uprooting children and families from their communities, and reports of other traumatic experiences.


It is estimated that 40 % of children are affected and experience a traumatic event during their life.


Some of these experiences trigger an overwhelming response of care and support from those around them which helps these children to recover from their traumatic experience. However some children grapple with their traumatic experience and struggle to recuperate. They experience frequent flashbacks of the event, which puts them in a constant state of anxiety, fear, and sadness.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms in Children

These children exhibit symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The symptoms of PTSD we are most likely to observe in children include:

• Frequent “flashbacks” or nightmares
• Avoidance of certain things
• Difficulty focusing in school
• Detachment, emotional numbness
• Excessive anxiety
• Impulsive or aggressive actions​

Treatment for PTSD

PTSD symptoms in children can be treated under the guidance of a trained mental health professional who specializes in working with children and can provide a comprehensive assessment of the child’s symptoms and what the best course of treatment will be.


Treatments available and found highly effective for children with PTSD include:


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• It is considered a form of “talk therapy”
• Focuses on the trauma the child experienced
• To recover child’s sense of identity
• And manage irrational thought patterns 
• Promotes relaxation through coping techniques

Play Therapy

• Effective for younger children in particular 
• Facilitated the child’s ability to process their trauma
• Use of art therapy, games, and other activities 

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Technique involves eye movement exercises that are guided by therapist
• Technique is carried out during a recall of the traumatic event

Medication 

• Use of anti-depressants & anti-anxiety medications
• Medications alleviate symptoms in conjunction with ongoing therapy visits

These treatments help children with PTSD to recover control of their life and path, the children systematically accept the trauma and become free of their symptoms. Contact our office below to speak with a child psychiatrist who can help you on the road towards recovery.

Disclaimer: All information, content, and material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. ​​