Children’s developmental years are some of the most important years of their lives. As children go through phases of physical, cognitive, and emotional growth, they are highly impressionable to outside factors. These factors can impact their cognitive abilities, social skills, and outlook on the world.
When young children experience a traumatic event, it can have a major impact on them while they are still in the early stages of development and in a vulnerable state. Children might not understand what has happened or its impact on them.
A mental health condition that may arise when a person has experienced a terrifying emotional or physical event is post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD.
At Just 4 Kids, we offer therapy for kids to help address traumas they have experienced and the issues that can result.
Even when the traumatic event is over, individuals struggling with PTSD often still feel unsafe in everyday life.
A person who has experienced severe trauma may feel trapped in the past or caught in a cycle of constantly reliving what has happened. Flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety are common indicators of PTSD.
For example, if a person were to survive a car crash, they could potentially come out of the crash feeling fine physically. Providing they managed to avoid injuries, they may even return to their normal life very quickly. But the impact of this event could stay with them. They might struggle with a fear of cars or driving, vivid flashbacks of the accident, or nightmares involving car crashes. Physical survival of a trauma does not negate the emotional impact that trauma can have.
Over 3 million children in the U.S. suffer from PTSD. For young kids, dealing with PTSD is particularly complex because they do not have the cognitive or emotional skills that adults have to understand and address the effects of trauma. It can be confusing for them to experience something terrifying but not understand how to approach the feelings that result.
When children perceive an event as dangerous, life-threatening, or fear-inducing, they can develop PTSD. Boston Children’s Hospital explains that various occurrences can cause PTSD in children. Examples include:
Although children might not understand how such events have affected them, their behavior might indicate that they are struggling with PTSD. Symptoms may not always show right away, but instead develop and worsen over time.
Children suffering from PTSD usually show three kinds of symptoms:
Children may cope by avoiding what has happened entirely. To protect themselves, they might subconsciously stay away from triggers of the event, including related thoughts, situations, and objects. They may also develop a sense of numbness to their feelings and surroundings. In some cases, children might struggle to remember the event, blocking out the experience entirely.
When children feel unsafe after a trauma, they can feel as though they must constantly look over their shoulder in case of another similar event arising. Because of this, they may struggle with sleep and concentration. They might also be easily startled, scared, and prone to random outbursts of anger.
Some children may feel as though they are repeatedly re-living the traumatic experience. They may suffer from intense flashbacks of the trauma, which can include physical sound, smell, or scene hallucinations. Vivid nightmares and a need to consistently dwell on the event are also common.
If not treated, PTSD can significantly impact a child during important stages of their cognitive, emotional, and social development. This condition can hinder their ability to function normally at home or in school, leaving them feeling constantly on edge. PTSD treatment can help children work through these feelings and reach a place of mental security.
At Just 4 Kids, we believe that physical and mental health are interconnected. Our approach to mental health combines physical and mental healing in order to optimize the health of your child.
Our team of dedicated counselors is here to help treat your child’s PTSD symptoms and begin the healing journey.
Professional services for children with PTSD include:
Learn more about Just 4 Kids and how we can help treat children’s mental health challenges
Watching your child struggle with PTSD is difficult. If you need help or advice, Just 4 Kids is here. For expert support and kid-friendly professional mental health services in Eastern Idaho, call (208) 534-7881 and schedule an appointment for your child now. We have same-day availability and are eager to help your child feel better.
(208) 534-7881
