PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Before you read the webpage please read the following notes:
NOTE 1 – We are giving you an overview of this condition in a question and answer format so you have some information for when you talk to a health professional. We have not discussed how to diagnose this condition, the types of treatment available for this condition and how you as the parent can help your child. We will leave that for a professional to discuss with you when a healthcare plan or special educational needs plan is being written for your child once they have been diagnosed.
NOTE 2 – Children can suffer from more than one condition at any one time. This is known as comorbid.
NOTE 3 – The exact cause of many of the conditions we have written about is unknown. Research is continuing. There can often be a genetic component which when inherited can make an individual prone to the condition. There are also other factors which can play a part in the development of the condition and can trigger it. We have detailed these factors in each write up.
NOTE 4 – Education for children with special education needs and disabilities is written elsewhere on this website. Please click the link below to access it.
WHAT IS PTSD?
PTSD is short for post traumatic stress disorder. This disorder occurs when a child develops long term symptoms because they have experienced a severe trauma directly or they have witnessed something traumatic.
PTSD is a mental health problem.
PTSD is a complex multifaceted anxiety disorder with different causes and outcomes.
The trauma can be a stressful injury, a natural disaster, neglect, a bombing, physical abuse, abandonment, bullying, an animal bite, sexual assault, death of a close person, severe car accident or a violent episode.
To be diagnosed with PTSD the symptoms have to persist longer than 1 month.
Children with PTSD are regarded as children with special educational needs.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR OVERVIEW – POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES A CHILD WITH PTSD DISPLAY?
All children react differently to trauma and although many children will share symptoms that come with the condition, each child will experience these symptoms in different ways. They will have different strengths and limitations of these symptoms.
The common symptoms of PTSD are:
- Nightmares
- Unable to sleep or broken sleep
- Constantly reliving the traumatic episode in the mind or flashbacks.
- Being upset at the anniversary of the trauma
- Being upset when and avoiding anything that reminds the child of the trauma
- Being consumed with anger
- Being always on guard or in protective mode
- Withdrawn
- Feeling scared, helpless or numb
- Restlessness and feeling on edge.
- Fidgety
- Loss of focus and concentration.
- Trouble with organising themselves and things
- Self destruction
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Unable to give affection
- Negative thoughts
ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE PTSD BORN WITH IT OR DO THEY ACQUIRE IT?
Both are true.
PTSD at birth – Some research shows that PTSD can be passed down from parent to child. If a parent experiences a trauma it could leave a chemical print on their genes which can then be passed down to their child and perhaps through many generations. Therefore, PTSD could be inherited.
There are some babies that have had traumatic births and can have PTSD.
Acquired PTSD – Acquired PTSD is when a child suffers from or witnesses a traumatic event. Please read ‘What is PTSD’ above.
WHEN DO MOST CHILDREN FIRST DISPLAY THE SIGNS OF PTSD?
Children who have suffered or witnessed a traumatic event can acquire PTSD either almost immediately after the event. They can also get it up to 6 months after the event. Sometimes PTSD can develop years after the trauma.
CAN PTSD GO AWAY, BE CURED OR PREVENTED?
The trauma that causes the PTSD and the PTSD itself can be successfully managed with treatment but it will never fully go away or be cured. The success of the treatment will depend upon the child and their individual circumstances. There are many variable factors such as:
- The severity of the trauma
- How long ago was the trauma
- How long the traumatic event lasted.
- If the trauma was repetitive
- How the child is coping with the trauma
- How resilient the child is
- What support the child is given.
PTSD cannot be prevented.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PTSD?
The different types of PTSD are:
1. Normal stress response – This is the stress and tension that results due to a one off incident, accident, injury and surgery. This stress response is the stress that happens before full PTSD sets in. It can be managed with support and treatment if captured early.
2. Acute stress disorder – Acute stress disorder can happen as a result of a serious injury, life threatening event, or death of a close person. Symptoms can start between 3 days and 1 month after the trauma. If acute stress disorder is not treated it will develop into serious PTSD. This type of PTSD is found in people who have had multiple trauma or a single trauma of a great magnitude.
3. Uncomplicated PTSD – This PTSD occurs due to one serious traumatic event. It is the mildest form of PTSD.
4. Complex PTSD – This PTSD occurs due to multiple traumatic events such as domestic violence, abuse or repeated exposure to violence. It can also occur when trauma has lasted a long time. It is also referred to as disorder of extreme stress. It is the most severe type of PTSD.
5. Comorbid PTSD – This is the term used to describe the condition of an individual who has more than one mental health condition at the same time such as depression and panic disorders.
6. Delayed onset PTSD – This occurs when symptoms appear more than 6 months after the incident.
7. Secondary PTSD – This PTSD can happen when you look after and care for someone suffering from PTSD and you can start to feel some of the symptoms.
WHO DO YOUR CONTACT FOR HELP IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD SUFFERS FROM PTSD?
Contact your GP immediately – Your GP will arrange for your child to be assessed for PTSD. If your child has PTSD your GP will then arrange for your child to have the correct support, medication, therapy and treatment to manage the condition. They will also advise you of any lifestyle changes you may need to make and refer you for further help if needed.
Contact the school SEN department – The SEN department (special educational needs) at school will take your concerns seriously and help you. Please read the next section below.
IS PTSD CONSIDERED A SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEED (SEN)?
A child suffering from PTSD can be considered as one with special educational needs (SEN) if the issues the child is suffering from make education and learning much more difficult than other children of the same age.
Talk to the SEN department at your child’s school. There will be a special teacher there called a SENCO (special SEN coordinator) who looks after the welfare of all SEN children at the school and they will be able to advise you further.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child suffers from PTSD you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns if your child suffers from PTSD.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about your concerns if your child suffers from PTSD. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE 16 – CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has PTSD and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.