Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Definition
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs when a person undergoes a stressful event in their life and begins to exhibit signs of prolonged mental stress from the incident. Typically PTSD is not diagnosed until six months after the traumatic event. These may include events such as a car accident, severe injury, or different forms of abuse within the household. PTSD is capable of affecting any age of child or teen and varies depending on several factors such as the extent of the incident, support from friends and family, and memory of the event.
Common Events/ Signs
Common Traumatic Events
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Being a passenger in a car accident or witnessing one in public
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A severe injury caused by a incident
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Domestic trouble such as parents fighting or arguing
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Several types of abuse including: Sexual Abuse, Psychological Abuse, or Physical Abuse
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Death of a loved one
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Natural Disasters
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Neglect
Instructional Strategies
The support for a child with PTSD has to be all about the comfortability of the student. Teachers/ Aids should remove any items that may cause a flashback or anxiety attack in the child. An example of this would be removing the toy cars from a classroom if a student was recently in a car accident, or taking out the stuffed dogs in the event of an animal attacked them. Allow the child to be able to take their time with breathing and coping through their feelings, instead of forcing them to discuss the event. Teachers should not attempt to correct the behavior themselves, rather to leave the child's progression to the Trauma Therapy sessions if needed. Instead, be ready to adjust for them when needed.
Useful Websites
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/family/ptsd-children-adolescents.asp
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/918844-overview
http://www.ascentchs.com/mental-health/ptsd/symptoms-signs-effects/
https://childmind.org/article/whats-the-best-treatment-for-ptsd-in-children/
Research
https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.159.3.483
Neuropsychological Function in Children With Maltreatment-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Research journal on the effects of PTSD through mistreatment on children and the ways it impacts their cognitive performance. Showing the relation between emotional abuse and neglect and the direct correlations to the cognitive behavior of the child involved.
Behavior Therapy- Collection of Articles
The impact of sexual abuse on children: A PTSD formulation
Article from research on Behavior Therapy, signs of sexual abuse and the effects on the child show the impact it has on their mental and emotional stability, after the traumatic event.
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Children and Disaster: Age, Gender, and Parental Effects on PTSD Symptoms
The research was done with children (ages 2-15) exposed to the Buffalo Creek dam collapse and the lingering effects of the traumatic event and how it affects the behavior patterns in everyday life.
Webpage By Cody Dirck
Physical
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Sleeping Problems
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Headaches and stomach aches
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Difficulties with physical contact
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Feeling as though the event is/going to happen again
Mental / Emotional
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Feeling as though the trauma is happening again
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Trouble concentrating in school
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Confused recollection of event
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Becoming Numb to Emotions
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Sadness
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Worry
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Avoiding memories of the event
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Flashbacks
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Intrusive memories of the event
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Nightmares of event
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Fears about death
Behavioral
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Reckless behavior
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Irritability
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Regression in Classroom/Home
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Reenactment of trauma through play
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Loss of interest
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Angry outbursts