How to Recognize PTSD in Youth

June is PTSD Awareness Month. Become more PTSD-aware by learning the signs and how to help

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can manifest at any age, including children and teens. While it may be caused by a specific event, effects don’t always manifest right away. It’s essential to help your teen overcome the negative impact of an event so they can live healthy, productive lives. Here’s more on PTSD, the signs, and how to seek help.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a complex mental health condition that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Examples include car wrecks, sexual trauma, or the death of a loved one. It goes beyond mere stress and can deeply impact a person’s daily life in profound ways. The symptoms of PTSD can manifest in various forms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and hypervigilance.

Signs of PTSD in Youth

Children may exhibit a range of symptoms that vary from those in adults. These symptoms continue for more than one month after trauma exposure, including but not limited to:

• Separation anxiety
• Mood swings, aggression, or irritability
• Academic struggles
• Sleep troubles or bedwetting
• Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities
• Avoiding activities, people, or places that trigger memories of the trauma
• Re-experiencing, dreaming, or recreating the traumatic event
• Depersonalization or derealization (believing their surroundings aren’t real)
• Physical complaints like stomachaches or headaches

It’s essential to recognize even subtle signs so you can help your child overcome PTSD. Early intervention can help them lead healthier adult lives.

Getting Help with PTSD

Hallmark Youthcare provides comprehensive treatments for adolescents with PTSD. We work to find the root cause, explore healthy coping mechanisms, and deploy a variety of therapies to instill confidence and self-control. Learn more about our residential treatment program.

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