Helping Your Child Manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition. It is more likely to start after a life-changing event or trauma. Types of trauma that can lead to PTSD include physical injury, abuse, violence, or a natural disaster.

It is normal for a child to show signs of stress after a traumatic event. PTSD symptoms may start soon after a traumatic event or weeks later. It can affect how a child thinks and feels for months or even years. There are ways to recognize the symptoms and support your child who is living with PTSD.

How does PTSD affect my child?

PTSD can affect a child in many ways. In general, children may have anxiety, distressing memories, mood changes, and may avoid family activities. Other symptoms vary by age.

If your child is younger than 6 years:

• Be fussy, clingy, or irritable.
• Have frequent temper tantrums.
• Repeat traumatic events through play.
• Not talk or have trouble talking.
• Have a change in eating habits.
• Wet the bed after having been trained to use the toilet.

If your child is age 6 to 12:

• Have trouble concentrating.
• Believe that they notice warning signs to avoid trauma in the future.
• Have a lot of physical symptoms. These may include headaches and stomachaches. Your child may also feel tired or like their heart is racing.
• Have nightmares or trouble sleeping.
• Talk a lot about scary thoughts.
• Go back to earlier behaviors (regress) like bed-wetting or thumb-sucking.
• Feel guilty or ashamed.

If your child is age 13 to 18:

• Talk about the traumatic event a lot.
• Disobey and be disruptive.
• Have problems in school.
• Show behavior changes, such as:
  • Using illegal drugs or drinking alcohol.
  • Becoming sexually active.
  • Developing eating disorders.
  • Self-harming.
• Act sad and withdrawn.

What actions can I take to help my child manage PTSD?

Make your child feel safe at home

• Know your child's PTSD triggers as a way to avoid them.
• Never use physical punishment.
• Be willing to listen when your child talks about feelings or memories of trauma. Do not force your child to talk about these feelings or memories.
• Avoid letting your child see disturbing images in the media.
• Use a night-light in your child's bedroom if your child has trouble sleeping.
• Help your child practice self-soothing skills, such as breathing slowly, holding a favorite stuffed animal, or snuggling with you.

Offer everyday support

• Having a regular schedule with set times for meals, school, bed, and activities.
• Helping your child arrive on time to school and other activities.
• Letting your child choose meals or activities to give them a sense of control.
• Letting your child cry or be sad. Do not criticize your child for these emotions.
• Asking your child about their feelings. Let your child talk without judging the feelings as good or bad.
• Encouraging your child to express emotions and ideas through drawing or writing.
• Checking in regularly with your child's teachers or other caregivers about how your child is doing.
• Teaching your child activities to manage stress. These may include listening to music or doing deep breathing exercises.

Learn more about PTSD

• Do not react with anger. Your child cannot change their reactions without working on them.
• Do not punish or scold your child for behaviors caused by PTSD. Be patient. Change takes time and understanding.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

• Give your child foods that are high in fiber, such as beans, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried or sweet foods.

Activity

• Encourage your child to do their normal activities as told by your child's health care provider.
• Ask your child's health care provider to suggest some activities that may be good for your child.
• Encourage your child to be physically active every day.

General instructions

• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child's health care provider.
• Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
• Keep all follow-up visits. Your health care provider will want to make sure your child's symptoms are improving.

Where to find more information

• National Center for PTSD: ptsd.va.gov
• National Institute of Mental Health: nimh.nih.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child's symptoms get worse, more frequent, or your child has new symptoms.
• You and your child are having more fights.
• Your child has trouble at school or outside the home.
• Your child is using illegal drugs or alcohol.
• Your child is having repeated flashbacks.
• Your child says that they are very depressed or anxious.
• You are having trouble supporting your child at home.

Get help right away if:

• Your child expresses thoughts about harming themselves or others.
• Your child talks about death or suicide.
• Your child is acting suspicious, angry, or violent.

• Call 911.
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 988. This is open 24 hours a day.
• Text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Summary

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition. A child may develop it after a life-changing event or trauma.
• PTSD symptoms may start soon after a traumatic event or weeks later. It can affect how a child thinks and feels for months or even years.
• Work with your child's health care providers to learn what behaviors are typical and how to cope with them.
• Check in regularly with your child's health care providers, teachers, and other caregivers about how your child is doing.