How to Help Your Child Suffering From PTSD
Before anything else, if your child is intentionally hurting him or herself, expressing suicidal thoughts, or appears at risk of hurting others, call 911.
It isn't easy to raise a child even in the best of circumstances, but when you have a child with PTSD, life can seem beyond difficult at times. Above all else, your child needs your support and understanding. Children exposed to the same trauma may react very differently, even if they are in the same family. It is important to remember that children with PTSD continue to suffer the effects long after the trauma is over. Learn about PTSD and pay attention to how your child is doing. Watch for signs such as sleep problems, anger, and avoidance of certain people or places. Also watch for changes in school performance and problems with friends.
What is PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition caused by experiencing traumatic events. Symptoms of PTSD often are grouped into four main categories:
1. Re-experiencing/reliving the trauma
This can be in the form of nightmares, becoming upset when reminded of the trauma, or spontaneous disturbing memories that can seem real (flashbacks)
2. Avoidance
Avoiding places or people that bring up memories of the trauma
3. Negative thoughts & moods
Feeling detached or isolated from others, negative beliefs ("I can't trust anyone", "I'm a monster"), self blame for the trauma, persistent negative emotions (anger, guilt, fear), lack of interest or participation in important or pleasurable activities they used to enjoy
4. Reactivity/increased arousal
Feeling on guard, being irritable or angry, trouble sleeping, startling easily, being reckless or self-destructive
Additional symptoms include flashbacks, panic attacks, feeling sad, angry, upset, or numb, difficulty sleeping, physical problems like headaches or pain that are not caused by another medical problem
What are triggers?
Triggers can be places, physical sensations or even thoughts, memories, or dreams that cause symptoms of PTSD
How is PTSD in children and adolescents different than in adults?
Signs of PTSD in teens are similar to those in adults. But PTSD in children can look a little different. Younger kids can show more fearful and regressive behaviors. They may reenact the trauma through play and may suffer from delayed development in areas such as toilet training, motor skills, and language.
Symptoms usually begin within the first month after the trauma, but they may not show up until months or even years have passed. These symptoms often continue for years after the trauma. In some cases, they may ease and return later in life if another event triggers memories of the trauma (in fact, anniversaries of the event can often cause a flood of emotions and bad memories.)
How can I help my child with PTSD?
Most kids will need a period of adjustment after a stressful event. During this time, it's important for parents to offer support, love, and understanding.
Try to keep your child’s schedule and life as similar as possible to their pre-trauma world. This means not allowing your child to take off too much time from school or activities, even if it's hard at the beginning.
Let them talk about the traumatic event when and if they feel ready. Praise them for being strong when they do talk about it, but don't force the issue if they don't feel like sharing their thoughts. Some kids may prefer to draw or write about their experiences. Either way, encouragement and praise can help them get feelings out.
Reassure them that their feelings are typical and that they're not "going crazy." Support and understanding from parents can help with handling difficult feelings.
Some kids and teens find it helpful to get involved in a support group for trauma survivors.
Help build self-confidence by encouraging kids to make everyday decisions where appropriate. PTSD can make kids feel powerless, so parents can help by showing their kids that they have control over some parts of their lives. Depending on a child's age, parents might consider letting him or her choose a weekend activity or decide things like what's for dinner or what to wear.
Tell them that the traumatic event is not their fault. Encourage kids to talk about any feelings of guilt, but don't let them blame themselves for what happened.
Stay in touch with caregivers. It's important to talk to teachers, babysitters, and other people who are involved in your child's life.
Do not criticize regressive behavior (returning to a previous level of development). If children want to sleep with the lights on or take a favorite stuffed animal to bed, it might help them get through this difficult time. Speak to your child's doctor or therapist if you're not sure about what is helpful for your son or daughter.
Many children benefit from individual counseling with a trained therapist who understands trauma and childhood PTSD. Additionally, family counseling can be incredibly helpful to the whole family in learning how to maneuver through the difficulty of having mental health issues present in the home. If you do not know of someone in your area, please reach out and let us know so that we may help connect you with the resources your child and family needs.
It isn't easy to raise a child even in the best of circumstances, but when you have a child with PTSD, life can seem beyond difficult at times. Above all else, your child needs your support and understanding. Children exposed to the same trauma may react very differently, even if they are in the same family. It is important to remember that children with PTSD continue to suffer the effects long after the trauma is over. Learn about PTSD and pay attention to how your child is doing. Watch for signs such as sleep problems, anger, and avoidance of certain people or places. Also watch for changes in school performance and problems with friends.
What is PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition caused by experiencing traumatic events. Symptoms of PTSD often are grouped into four main categories:
1. Re-experiencing/reliving the trauma
This can be in the form of nightmares, becoming upset when reminded of the trauma, or spontaneous disturbing memories that can seem real (flashbacks)
2. Avoidance
Avoiding places or people that bring up memories of the trauma
3. Negative thoughts & moods
Feeling detached or isolated from others, negative beliefs ("I can't trust anyone", "I'm a monster"), self blame for the trauma, persistent negative emotions (anger, guilt, fear), lack of interest or participation in important or pleasurable activities they used to enjoy
4. Reactivity/increased arousal
Feeling on guard, being irritable or angry, trouble sleeping, startling easily, being reckless or self-destructive
Additional symptoms include flashbacks, panic attacks, feeling sad, angry, upset, or numb, difficulty sleeping, physical problems like headaches or pain that are not caused by another medical problem
What are triggers?
Triggers can be places, physical sensations or even thoughts, memories, or dreams that cause symptoms of PTSD
How is PTSD in children and adolescents different than in adults?
Signs of PTSD in teens are similar to those in adults. But PTSD in children can look a little different. Younger kids can show more fearful and regressive behaviors. They may reenact the trauma through play and may suffer from delayed development in areas such as toilet training, motor skills, and language.
Symptoms usually begin within the first month after the trauma, but they may not show up until months or even years have passed. These symptoms often continue for years after the trauma. In some cases, they may ease and return later in life if another event triggers memories of the trauma (in fact, anniversaries of the event can often cause a flood of emotions and bad memories.)
How can I help my child with PTSD?
Most kids will need a period of adjustment after a stressful event. During this time, it's important for parents to offer support, love, and understanding.
Try to keep your child’s schedule and life as similar as possible to their pre-trauma world. This means not allowing your child to take off too much time from school or activities, even if it's hard at the beginning.
Let them talk about the traumatic event when and if they feel ready. Praise them for being strong when they do talk about it, but don't force the issue if they don't feel like sharing their thoughts. Some kids may prefer to draw or write about their experiences. Either way, encouragement and praise can help them get feelings out.
Reassure them that their feelings are typical and that they're not "going crazy." Support and understanding from parents can help with handling difficult feelings.
Some kids and teens find it helpful to get involved in a support group for trauma survivors.
Help build self-confidence by encouraging kids to make everyday decisions where appropriate. PTSD can make kids feel powerless, so parents can help by showing their kids that they have control over some parts of their lives. Depending on a child's age, parents might consider letting him or her choose a weekend activity or decide things like what's for dinner or what to wear.
Tell them that the traumatic event is not their fault. Encourage kids to talk about any feelings of guilt, but don't let them blame themselves for what happened.
Stay in touch with caregivers. It's important to talk to teachers, babysitters, and other people who are involved in your child's life.
Do not criticize regressive behavior (returning to a previous level of development). If children want to sleep with the lights on or take a favorite stuffed animal to bed, it might help them get through this difficult time. Speak to your child's doctor or therapist if you're not sure about what is helpful for your son or daughter.
Many children benefit from individual counseling with a trained therapist who understands trauma and childhood PTSD. Additionally, family counseling can be incredibly helpful to the whole family in learning how to maneuver through the difficulty of having mental health issues present in the home. If you do not know of someone in your area, please reach out and let us know so that we may help connect you with the resources your child and family needs.