How Do You Help A Child With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Some children who experience trauma develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. While PTSD must be diagnosed by a mental health professional, caring adults can help children exposed to traumatic events by knowing what signs and symptoms to look for. They then can children and families get the help they need. Become informed about PTSD. Experiencing a traumatic event does not mean that the person will definitely develop the disorder. With children and adolescents, several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing PTSD. These include the severity of the event, family support and parental coping and the physical proximity of the event. There are additional risk factors for children, adolescents, and adults. Girls may be more likely to develop PTSD than boys. Traumas such rape and assault, which are intentionally inflicted by another person are more likely to cause PTSD than other traumatic events. Watch for warning signs. Children and adolescents may reexperience or reenact
