Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
All children and adolescents experience stressful events which can affect them both
emotionally and physically. Their reactions to stress are usually brief, and they recover
without further problems. A child or adolescent who experiences a catastrophic event
may develop ongoing difficulties known as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The
stressful or traumatic event involves a situation where someone's life has been threatened
or severe injury has occurred (ex. they may be the victim or a witness of physical abuse,
sexual abuse, violence in the home or in the community, automobile accidents, natural
disasters (such as flood, fire, earthquakes), and being diagnosed with a life threatening
illness). A child's risk of developing PTSD is related to the seriousness of the trauma,
whether the trauma is repeated, the child's proximity to the trauma, and his/her
relationship to the victim(s).
Following the trauma, children may initially show agitated or confused behavior. They
also may show intense fear, helplessness, anger, sadness, horror or denial. Children who
experience repeated trauma may develop a kind of emotional numbing to deaden or block
the pain and trauma. This is called dissociation. Children with PTSD avoid situations or
places that remind them of the trauma. They may also become less responsive
emotionally, depressed, withdrawn, and more detached from their feelings.
A child with PTSD may also re-experience the traumatic event by:
• having frequent memories of the event, or in young children, play in which some
or all of the trauma is repeated over and over
• having upsetting and frightening dreams
• acting or feeling like the experience is happening again
• developing repeated physical or emotional symptoms when the child is reminded
of the event
Children with PTSD may also show the following symptoms:
• worry about dying at an early age
• losing interest in activities
• having physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches
• showing more sudden and extreme emotional reactions
• having problems falling or staying asleep
• showing irritability or angry outbursts
• having problems concentrating
• acting younger than their age (for example, clingy or whiny behavior,
thumbsucking)
• showing increased alertness to the environment
• repeating behavior that reminds them of the trauma
The symptoms of PTSD may last from several months to many years. The best approach
is prevention of the trauma. Once the trauma has occurred, however, early intervention is
essential. Support from parents, school, and peers is important. Emphasis needs to be
placed upon establishing a feeling of safety. Psychotherapy (individual, group, or family)
which allows the child to speak, draw, play, or write about the event is helpful. Behavior
modification techniques and cognitive therapy may help reduce fears and worries.
Medication may also be useful to deal with agitation, anxiety, or depression.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists can be very helpful in diagnosing and treating children
with PTSD. With the sensitivity and support of families and professionals, youngsters
with PTSD can learn to cope with the memories of the trauma and go on to lead healthy
and productive lives.
Quazi Imam, M.D.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry.
Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,Harvard Medical School Trained.
1833 W. Pioneer Parkway Tel: 682-323-4566
Arlington, Texas 76013
All children and adolescents experience stressful events which can affect them both
emotionally and physically. Their reactions to stress are usually brief, and they recover
without further problems. A child or adolescent who experiences a catastrophic event
may develop ongoing difficulties known as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The
stressful or traumatic event involves a situation where someone's life has been threatened
or severe injury has occurred (ex. they may be the victim or a witness of physical abuse,
sexual abuse, violence in the home or in the community, automobile accidents, natural
disasters (such as flood, fire, earthquakes), and being diagnosed with a life threatening
illness). A child's risk of developing PTSD is related to the seriousness of the trauma,
whether the trauma is repeated, the child's proximity to the trauma, and his/her
relationship to the victim(s).
Following the trauma, children may initially show agitated or confused behavior. They
also may show intense fear, helplessness, anger, sadness, horror or denial. Children who
experience repeated trauma may develop a kind of emotional numbing to deaden or block
the pain and trauma. This is called dissociation. Children with PTSD avoid situations or
places that remind them of the trauma. They may also become less responsive
emotionally, depressed, withdrawn, and more detached from their feelings.
A child with PTSD may also re-experience the traumatic event by:
• having frequent memories of the event, or in young children, play in which some
or all of the trauma is repeated over and over
• having upsetting and frightening dreams
• acting or feeling like the experience is happening again
• developing repeated physical or emotional symptoms when the child is reminded
of the event
Children with PTSD may also show the following symptoms:
• worry about dying at an early age
• losing interest in activities
• having physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches
• showing more sudden and extreme emotional reactions
• having problems falling or staying asleep
• showing irritability or angry outbursts
• having problems concentrating
• acting younger than their age (for example, clingy or whiny behavior,
thumbsucking)
• showing increased alertness to the environment
• repeating behavior that reminds them of the trauma
The symptoms of PTSD may last from several months to many years. The best approach
is prevention of the trauma. Once the trauma has occurred, however, early intervention is
essential. Support from parents, school, and peers is important. Emphasis needs to be
placed upon establishing a feeling of safety. Psychotherapy (individual, group, or family)
which allows the child to speak, draw, play, or write about the event is helpful. Behavior
modification techniques and cognitive therapy may help reduce fears and worries.
Medication may also be useful to deal with agitation, anxiety, or depression.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists can be very helpful in diagnosing and treating children
with PTSD. With the sensitivity and support of families and professionals, youngsters
with PTSD can learn to cope with the memories of the trauma and go on to lead healthy
and productive lives.
Quazi Imam, M.D.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry.
Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,Harvard Medical School Trained.
1833 W. Pioneer Parkway Tel: 682-323-4566
Arlington, Texas 76013
