When someone experiences a shocking, scary, or dangerous event, they may develop a disorder known as PTSD. It is natural to feel fear during and after a traumatic situation. Fear creates changes in the body that help to defend against dangerous situations or help to avoid traumatic situations. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction that protects a person from harm. Almost everyone will experience a range of reactions after a traumatic event, and the majority of people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems can be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger.

Children, adolescents, and young adults can have extreme reactions to trauma. The symptoms of PTSD for children, adolescents, and young adults may not be the same as of adults.
Children less than 6 years old, may show these symptoms:

• Bed wetting after having learned to use the toilet
• Acting out scary event(s) while playing
• Forgetting how to speak or become silent
• Showing signs of being unusually clingy with a parent or with another adult or with someone with who they have a close relationship

Adolescents and young adults are more likely to exhibit symptoms similar to those seen in adults. They may also become disruptive, disrespectful, and/or destructive. This particular age group may develop feelings of guilt for not being able to prevent injuries and/or deaths. In some cases, it can lead to dangerous thoughts of revenge.

If you know or have a child, adolescent, and/or young adult suffering from PTSD, please click to learn more about our The Mathers CAYA practice.

It is natural to have some of these symptoms after a traumatic event, it is natural to have some of the symptoms listed below. Some may have serious symptoms that disappear after a few weeks. This is called acute stress disorder or ASD.

Symptoms may not show up for weeks or months. When the symptoms occur for more than a month and seriously affect one’s ability to function, one might be suffering from PTSD. These symptoms are not due to substance use, medical illness, or anything except the event itself. PTSD is often accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or anxiety disorders.

There are two types of PTSD – ongoing (chronic) and short-term (acute) PTSD. The event needs not be dangerous, it can be triggered by something sudden and unexpected. Symptoms may not begin until 3 months after the traumatic incident. For some, the symptoms may not become evident until years after the trigger event. If the illness lasts more than a month and interferes with relationships or with their daily life, it can be considered PTSD. The length of time for the recovery of this illness varies and if not treated can become chronic. A psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose when someone is suffering from PTSD.

Some of the most common symptoms of PTSD include the following:

• Extreme physical reactions to the triggers of the traumatic event: accelerated heartbeat, nausea, sweating
• Intense thoughts/feelings of distress when reminded of a traumatic event
• Recurring invasive and upsetting memories of a traumatic event
• Loss of interest in daily activities or life in general
• Lacking a positive outlook for the future
• Flashbacks (when the traumatic event occurs over and over again)
• Recurring nightmares that are related to the event
• Feeling emotionally numb; isolated from friends, family, and other people; avoiding feelings/thoughts, activities, or places that are reminders of the traumatic event
• Difficulty recalling important aspects of a traumatic event

Those diagnosed with PTSD must have all of the following symptoms for 1 month or longer:

• Re-Experiencing Symptoms (one or more symptoms)

Re-experiencing symptoms can cause problems in a person’s everyday routine. The symptoms can begin from the person’s own thoughts and feelings. Words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event can also trigger re-experiencing symptoms.

Re-experiencing symptoms include:

• • Nightmare
  • Flashbacks—reliving the trauma over and over
  • Flashbacks accompanied by physical symptoms: heart pounding or sweating
  • Scary/frightening thoughts

Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. This includes, but is not limited to: military veterans, children, and people who have been through abuse, accident, disaster, physical or sexual assault, or other traumatic events. PTSD can also occur without experiencing a traumatic event. A trigger event may be the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one.

Genetic make-up may make some people more likely to develop PTSD than others. Studies have found that more women are found to suffer from PTSD than men.

Not everyone with PTSD has been through a dangerous event. Some people develop PTSD after a friend or family member experiences danger or harm. Various factors play a part in the development of PTSD. Some examples are listed below. Risk factors that make a person more likely to develop PTSD are listed below. Other factors, called resilience factors, can help reduce the risk of the disorder.

A common form of treatment for PTSD may contain a combination of psychotherapy (talk therapy) and/or pharmacotherapy. Each individual with PTSD has unique circumstances which lead to different methods for treatment befitting their specific needs. It is crucial the one being treated with PTSD is treated by a mental health care professional who specializes in PTSD. Each case of PTSD is unique, so do not be discouraged if one method of treatment is not successful. Your mental health care professional will help you find the proper treatment that will work for you.

PTSD is often accompanied by other conditions that must be addressed. These conditions may be but are not limited to the following: being in an abusive relationship, suffering from persistent traumas, panic disorders, substance abuse, depression, and suicidal thoughts/tendencies. These conditions must be addressed in order to treat PTSD.

Psychotherapy involves talking with a mental health professional to treat a mental illness. Psychotherapy can occur one-on-one or in a group. This type of therapy usually lasts 6 to 12 weeks and can be extended in necessary. Support from family and friends is an important part of recovery.

Psychotherapy can be successful when it includes teaching the symptoms of PTSD, learning to identify what triggers those symptoms, and utilizing skills to manage the symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy has also proven to be successful when combined with exposure therapy which allows one to face and control their fear, and with cognitive restructuring which is the making sense of traumatic memories. Every case of PTSD is unique and PTSD affects each person differently, so one form of treatment that works for one person may not work for another.