Many people, including children and teenagers, can experience traumatic events. Some researchers estimate that as many as 40% of children and adolescents will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Most people recover after a few days, weeks, or months, but others may have difficulty coping with the experience and memory of the trauma. These individuals, including children and teenagers, may experience the mental problem known as PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Traumatic events often include physical violence, accident, natural disaster, war, or sexual abuse. Children or young people may have experienced these events themselves or may have witnessed them happening to others.
Whether a child or young person develops PTSD depends on many factors, including the severity of the trauma, how often it occurred, and how family members reacted to the event. A child or adolescent with PTSD feels unable to escape the impact of the trauma. They try to avoid people or situations that remind them of the event. Sometimes they experience memories or “flashbacks” of the event, or they may have very realistic nightmares about it. These constant reminiscences can become a real challenge for daily life, especially for children and teenagers who may have difficulty expressing what they feel and experience.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PTSD IN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS
<Avoiding situations that cause them to remember the traumatic event
Experiencing nightmares or “flashbacks” about the trauma
Playing games in a way that is repetitive or reminiscent of the trauma
Acting impulsively or aggressively
Frequently feeling tense or anxious
Experiencing emotional numbness
Having difficulty focusing on school
PTSD TREATMENT IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH
If your child shows symptoms of trauma, it is important to remember that the symptoms that appear in most children will decrease and disappear within a few months. However, this does not mean that you should not consult a psychologist for evaluation and discuss treatment options when symptoms occur. It doesn't come. PTSD is treatable, so never hesitate to ask for help and choose what is best.
SOME TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER:
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COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY - CBT is one of the most common forms of "talk therapy," and therapists can use a trauma-focused style of therapy to work with children and adults. A trauma-focused CBT therapist can correct irrational thoughts they may have about the trauma itself or the people and situations they encounter in daily life. CBT also typically includes psychoeducation about relaxation and stress-coping techniques.
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PLAY THERAPY - This type of therapy focuses specifically on expressing one's reactions to the trauma and It might work for young children who are struggling to understand what's happening. Play therapists use art therapy, games, and other interventions to help a child process a trauma and cope with life resiliently.
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EMDR - is a technique that is becoming increasingly popular among mental health professionals. Therapy involves guided eye movement exercises while a child remembers the traumatic event and works with the cognitions and emotional responses he has about it.
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MEDICATION - PTSD' There is no medication that “cure” anxiety, but sometimes antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help relieve symptoms in some children while seeing a therapist.
PTSD symptoms often coexist with other types of mental illness. occurs or leads to other problems in children and young people, such as substance use, risky behavior and self-harm. These issues may also need to be addressed in treatment to protect your child and help him or her fully recover.
As a parent, you want nothing but the best for your child. Therefore, watching your child display symptoms of trauma can leave you feeling powerless and clueless about where to start. The best place to start is to listen to your child and ignore his symptoms and struggles. is choosing not to come. You can get support from friends and family who support both you and your child.
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