Post-traumatic stress disorder
in children
The signs are the same as for an adult: the child may unwittingly relive the traumatic event in the form of nightmares, flashes or thoughts. They may also avoid anything that reminds them of the traumatic event. They may also feel constantly on the alert.
But the child may also have difficulty remembering important aspects of the event. He may refuse to go to school or sleep alone. He may wet his bed. He may also lose interest in things that used to interest him, lose his appetite, have problems with attention and concentration.
He or she may also be more often in conflict with loved ones, or feel guilty about what has happened.
If these signs last for more than a month, and the child is unable to resume his or her normal life at home or at school, it's time to consult a healthcare professional to find help and support for the child and his or her loved ones.
How to care for a child suffering from PTSD?
Help the child feel secure: he may need more of your time, care and comfort for a while;
Help the child to relax, for example by practicing breathing exercises such as inhaling and exhaling slowly on each of his 5 fingers as if he were blowing out birthday candles;
Do fun things together: play, draw, dance, listen to music, go for a walk, etc;
Reassure the child that he'll get better and that you're there for him;
Consult a healthcare professional, starting with your child's paediatrician;
Warn the teacher that the child is going through a difficult period and may have difficulty concentrating.
What about other psychotraumas?
We may have difficulty coping with a traumatic event and its impact on our lives, but we don't have to go through the main warning signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (flashbacks, avoidance, hyper-vigilance).
Indeed, we can develop difficulties other than PTSD after a traumatic event. It's important that we pay attention to our suffering without minimizing it, because anything is possible in reaction to a traumatic event.
We can, for example, suffer from depression, develop phobias or even addictions.
Sometimes our body will take over and express our distress through symptoms: we may experience stomach aches, migraines, skin reactions, and so on.
This is called somatization. If these symptoms were already common before the traumatic event, they can also suddenly become worse. It's important to ask ourselves whether these symptoms are related to what we've experienced.
Whatever the situation, we mustn't be left alone with our suffering: there are ways of getting better. The first step is to consult your GP.
