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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. 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. 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 They may also become less responsive emotionally, depressed, withdrawn, and more detached from their feelings.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 show the following symptoms: |
Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder (from American Society of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry) |
5030
El Camino Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608, (916) 609-5100, fax (916)
609-5160 info@riveroak.org |
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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 |
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Every child's mental health is important. • Many children have mental health problems. • These problems are real and painful and can be severe. • Mental health problems can be recognized and treated. |
Mental
health problems affect one in every five young people at any given
time. "Serious emotional disturbances" for children and adolescents refers to the above disorders when they severely disrupt daily functioning in home, school, or community. Serious emotional disturbances affect one in every ten young people at any given time. For assistance/information call: 1-800-789-2647 National Mental Health Information Center 1-800-969-6642 (press 1) Mental Health America 1-800-273-8255 24 Hour Crisis Line (Mental Health America) 1-240-403-1901 National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health 1-800-950-6264 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) www.nami.org |
Symptoms
of PTSD may last from several months to many years. Early intervention
is essential. Support from parents, school, and peers is important. Emphasis needs to be placed upon establishing a feeling of safety. Psychotherapy 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. How does River Oak help children and adolescents with PTSD? River Oak has many staff trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), which is an evidence based practice specific to the treatment of trauma. Children diagnosed with PTSD will usually receive TF-CBT if appropriate for the child. This treatment may include, among other things, relaxation and other coping techniques, understanding inaccurate ways of thinking, and how parents can also help a child cope with triggers to anxiety. Important messages about children's and adolescents' mental health: |