Like adults, children can develop PTSD and other mental health conditions as a result of trauma.
According to research published in 2019, trauma can double the chances a child will develop a mental health condition.
The symptoms of trauma in children, however, are often complex. Age plays an important role — children in preschool won’t have the same opportunities for expressing themselves as children in middle school.
Age-related symptoms of childhood trauma may include:
Preschool children
- excessive crying and screaming
- language development delays
- aggression
- hypervigilance or alertness
- recurrent nightmares
- loss of appetite
- weight fluctuations
- clinginess or separation anxiety from adult caregivers
- avoidance of some adults
- acting out the trauma during play
- physical symptoms, like headaches and tummy aches
- hyperactivity
- restlessness
- impaired social skills
- sudden changes in behaviour
Elementary children
- difficulty sleeping
- nightmares
- changes in concentration and school performance
- fearfulness
- anxiety
- expressing guilt or shame
- constantly talking about the event
- sudden changes in behaviour
Middle school and high school children
- substance use
- self-harm behaviours
- eating disorders
- hazardous sexual activity
- impulsivity
- anger outbursts
- behaviours that put them in jeopardy
- depression and anxiety
- not typical social withdrawal
PTSD in children
The symptoms of PTSD in children are similar to those in adults.
Children may particularly experience:
- acting out the traumatic incident in play
- sudden changes in behaviour
- episodes of intense irritability and anger
- distrust or fear of others
- symptoms of depression
- clinginess
- event denial
- absence of positive emotions
- avoidance of places and people
- changes in sleep patterns
- bed wetting
- reluctance to stay alone even for a moment
Children may exhibit these behaviours for several reasons, including other mental health conditions, physical conditions, or everyday stress responses.
It’s common to have days where they feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or down.
When symptoms persist, or if there’s no apparent acute cause (school test stress, performances), a traumatic event may be a possibility.
It’s highly advisable to seek the support of a mental health professional. Only they can diagnose and treat a condition accurately.
Childhood PTSD vs. childhood traumatic stress
Childhood PTSD is a clinical diagnosis with specific symptoms outlined in the DSM-5.
Childhood traumatic stress is a phrase used to describe symptoms of distress from a traumatic experience that don’t meet DSM-5 criteria but still impacts how a child moves forward in life.
All children with PTSD will experience childhood traumatic stress, but not all children with childhood traumatic stress will be diagnosed with PTSD.
References:
- About child trauma. (n.d.).
https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/about-child-trauma - Adverse childhood experiences. (2021).
https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/adverse-childhood-experiences-aces.aspx - Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). (2019).
https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aces/pdf/vs-1105-aces-H.pdf - DSM-5 changes: Implications for child serious emotional disturbance [Internet]. (n.d.).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519712/ - Effects. (n.d.).
https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma/effects - Mock SE, et al. (2010). Childhood trauma and chronic illness in adulthood: Mental health and socioeconomic status as explanatory factors and buffers.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3153850/ - Post-traumatic stress disorder in children. (2021).
https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/ptsd.html - Recognizing and treating child traumatic stress. (2021).
https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma/recognizing-and-treating-child-traumatic-stress - Signs and symptoms of childhood trauma. (2020).
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/publication/signs-symptoms-childhood-trauma - Torjesen I. (2019). Childhood trauma doubles risk of mental health conditions.
https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.l854 - Trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). (2021).
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/publication/trauma-adverse-childhood-experiences-aces - What are ACEs? (2021).
https://www.joiningforcesforchildren.org/what-are-aces/ - What is child traumatic stress? (2003).
https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/childrens_mental_health/what-is-child-traumatic-stress.pdf - What is posttraumatic stress disorder? (2013).
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd
Signs of Childhood Trauma: How to Identify in Children and Adults
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