Introduction
Prevalence rates for post-traumatic stress disorder in the US vary widely depending on the demographic under investigation. Every year, a sizable percentage of the world’s population suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition to traumatic events, there is no established cause for post-traumatic stress disorder. It is common for people to struggle with unpleasant emotions and memories throughout their lives. These significantly impact one’s health and productivity. Although the devastating effects of PTSD are widely acknowledged, particular attention should be paid to the often-overlooked toll that traumatic events take on children. There is much evidence suggesting that if it exists and is common, childhood trauma may have a small correlation with the development of PTSD. Children are especially vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and exploitation, which can lead to traumatic experiences because they do not know much. Because of their natural openness to experience and skepticism of the unfamiliar, it was crucial to learn how post-traumatic stress disorder affects children.
How PTSD affect a Child
After experiencing trauma or witnessing a horrific event, some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Examples of traumatic experiences include physical violence, natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes, accidents, and sexual assault. While adults may react similarly to traumatic events, children’s PTSD symptoms are distinct. In order to assess whether or not a child has PTSD, clinicians employ the DSM-V criteria, which include the following: the existence of recurrent or spontaneous, intrusive, and involuntary recollections of a traumatic incident (Karatzias and Levendosky 820). Then, medical professional can select the child’s most common behaviors, such as temper tantrums, by seeing how he or she reacts to the child’s environment to see if the traumatic experience is still resonating.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder that can manifest in children are trouble sleeping and an inability to concentrate on tasks at hand. The horrific experiences that children have been forced to go through may be directly responsible for their incapacity to fall asleep or their lack of restfulness while sleeping (Şar 354). A child who has PTSD may also display hypervigilance, which describes a state in which the child is always on the lookout for potential dangers. They might be more easily startled, manifesting as muscle spasms or quick blinking whenever something unexpected occurs. A child may show fear, anger, or grief when reminded of a traumatic experience that negatively impacts a child’s health and social life and affects a child’s school performance (Şar 356). It is essential for children who have PTSD to receive treatment and support in order to alleviate their symptoms and learn to live with their sickness.
Traumatized children may have trouble regulating their emotions and behaviors, which can harm their health. Anxiety, depression, irritability, aggression, and hyperactivity are all possible symptoms. It might be challenging for children with these symptoms to maintain emotional equilibrium and engage in positive social interactions. Negative effects on a child’s academic performance and social interactions can accompany negative effects on their mental and behavioral health when dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (Şar 358). Children with PTSD may struggle with focus, memory, and attention, which can negatively impact their academic success. Their social and emotional growth may also be stunted by their inability to form healthy relationships with peers and adults. Effects on a child’s physical health from PTSD have been documented.
Nightmares and night terrors are common sleep disruptions in children with PTSD, and they can contribute to daytime sleepiness and other health issues. Since stress lowers the immune system, they may also be more susceptible to illnesses like the common cold, influenza, and other infections. The indications and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in children should not be ignored, and parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers should act quickly to offer support and treatment. As stated by Radoš et al., various interventions, including psychotherapy, medication, and other treatments, can alleviate symptoms and improve the well-being of children (136). However, not only children with PTSD but also their communities require assistance addressing the prevalent occurrence of trauma and violence in our society. Thus, offering support and aid to individuals and communities affected by trauma is crucial to mitigate its widespread impact.
Effects of PTSD on Unborn Children
Traumatic stress disorder has far-reaching consequences. Studies have revealed that the consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder in pregnant mothers might be transmitted to their unborn children. Children exposed to maternal stress during pregnancy are at increased risk for several negative consequences, including physical and mental health issues in adulthood. Pregnant women who experienced post-traumatic stress disorder were likelier to have children with symptoms of anxiety, sadness, and behavioral issues (Radoš et al. 138). The study also indicated that these children were more likely to struggle in school and with their peer interactions (Lautarescu et al. 162). Preterm birth and low birth weight were two examples of physical health issues linked to mothers’ stress during pregnancy. These complications may negatively impact a child’s health and development and may even contribute to additional health issues in the future.
Alterations to brain structure and function have also been related to the effects of maternal stress on fetal development. The amygdala, a brain region critical for emotional processing, was found to undergo alterations in a study of pregnant women experiencing stress (Lautarescu et al. 165). These alterations may play a role in the maturation of anxiety and other emotional issues. The effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on fetuses and newborns should not be ignored, and pregnant women experiencing PTSD should be given the care and attention they need. Given that postpartum PTSD and the mother-infant attachment may have a special relationship, counseling, and therapy can aid them in dealing with stress and reduce the possibility of adverse effects (Radoš et al. 136). Prenatal exposure to PTSD can have harmful consequences, including an increase in the chance of behavioral and emotional issues, physical health complications, and alterations in brain development (Radoš et al. 136). Pregnant women experiencing PTSD should not be neglected by their healthcare professionals, who should be aware of the risks and offer them the necessary assistance. Helping pregnant women with PTSD is essential in giving their children the most excellent possible start in life.
Managing PTSD in Children
The effects of post-traumatic stress disorder can have a devastating impact on the lives of children. However, with appropriate assistance and treatment, the symptoms can be managed, and the children’s quality of life can be improved. Identifying the signs of PTSD), offering appropriate support and counseling, and lowering the frequency of traumatic events and acts of violence in society are all essential to managing PTSD in children. The first and most crucial step in treating post-traumatic stress disorder in children is to recognize the symptoms associated with the disease.
Children with post-traumatic stress disorder can struggle with various mental and behavioral issues, including anxiety, depression, wrath, and violent behavior. They might also have difficulties sleeping and have nightmares, avoid items or locations that remind them of the traumatic event and try to avoid thinking about it. When they know the warning indicators, parents, carers, and medical experts can be of excellent assistance in helping the child. Giving children the assistance, they require is one of the most crucial things adults can do to assist children in coping with the effects of PTSD.
Medicine is occasionally a treatment option for anxiety, sadness, and others. The use of psychotherapy as a treatment for PTSD in children is met with favorable results. Cognitive behavioral therapy, sometimes known as CBT, is a very efficient form of psychotherapy focusing primarily on mitigating the adverse effects of traumatic experiences (Birkeland et al. 103655). During this treatment, the therapist collaborates with the child to identify the origin of the kid’s discomfort and then assists the child in developing methods for coping with that distress. The symptoms of PTSD in children have been demonstrated to improve with cognitive behavioral treatment. Story exposure therapy is another acceptable psychotherapy alternative for use with children diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (NET).
A technique known as NET, a form of harsh treatment, may be helpful for those with PTSD who have had repeated encounters with violent or otherwise traumatic events. It is essential while seeking to identify and treat PTSD in children, to concentrate on all of the potential triggers rather than merely one. This concept is adapted by NET to treat PTSD. Another type of psychotherapy that can be helpful to a child who is suffering from PTSD is called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, or EMDR for short. The goal of EMDR is to normalize the startle reaction of the body (Birkeland et al. 103655). It is essential to have enhanced parental involvement. When parents show their children extra emotional support and encourage them to participate in physically active activities, it positively affects the children’s self-esteem and confidence (Birkeland et al. 103655). In addition, parents can assist their children in overcoming traumatic events by instructing them to use expressive language to discuss how they are feeling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, post-traumatic stress disorder is a severe condition that affects mental health and can potentially have long-term effects on children and unborn offspring. Children who have PTSD are more likely to have problems with their physical health, as well as with their emotional and behavioral health, academic performance, and ability to build and sustain relationships with their peers. Pregnant women under much stress may put their unborn children at risk for several health problems, including mental and behavioral disorders. This puts the mothers at risk as well. Parents, caregivers, healthcare practitioners, and legislators need to have an understanding of the symptoms of PTSD and how to assist those who are afflicted with the condition. If society works toward eliminating trauma and violence, the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in children can be lowered, as can the consequences for individuals impacted by it.
Annotated Bibliography
Birkeland, Marianne S., et al. “Perceived Social Support and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Children and Youth in Therapy: A Parallel Process Latent Growth Curve Model.” Behaviour Research and Therapy, vol. 132, 2020, p. 103655.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate, among children and young people participating in therapy, the relationship between perceived social support and post-traumatic stress symptoms. When investigating the relationship between social support and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over time, the researchers employed a parallel process latent development curve model. According to the findings, having social support among children and young people in therapy may be an important factor in lowering the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lautarescu, Alexandra, et al. “Maternal Prenatal Stress Is Associated with Altered Uncinate Fasciculus Microstructure in Premature Neonates.” Biological Psychiatry, vol. 87, no. 6, 2020, pp. 559–569.
The purpose of this study was to discover whether or if there is a link between prenatal stress in mothers and a changed uncinate fasciculus microstructure in premature neonates. According to the study’s findings, the amount of prenatal stress experienced by a mother is closely associated with abnormalities in the microstructure of the uncinate fasciculus. These changes may increase the risk that a child would develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
Radoš, Sandra Nakić, et al. “The Role of Posttraumatic Stress and Depression Symptoms in Mother-Infant Bonding.” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 268, 2020, pp. 134–140.
The goal of this study was to establish whether or not there is a correlation between mother-infant bonding and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in mothers and their children. According to the findings, post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms have a considerable detrimental impact on the bonding that occurs between a mother and her infant. The impact may contribute to undesirable consequences in the development of the child.
Karatzias, Thanos, and Alytia A. Levendosky. “Introduction to the Special Section on Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD): The Evolution of a Disorder.” Journal of Traumatic Stress, vol. 32, no. 6, 2019, pp. 817–821.
Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a type of trauma-related psychopathology that can affect adults and children who have experienced long-term, severe trauma. This article discusses CPTSD diagnostic criteria. Those with complex PTSD have PTSD symptoms that affect management, interpersonal functioning, and self-concept disruptions. As a result, identifying trauma-related psychopathology in children, particularly those who have experienced chronic and complex trauma, necessitates a knowledge of the development of CPTSD and its recognition as a distinct disorder. CPTSD and its diagnostic criteria, in addition to those for PTSD, should be recognizable to mental health practitioners screening and treating traumatized children.
Şar, Vedat. “Childhood Trauma and Dissociative Disorders.” Childhood Trauma in Mental Disorders, 2020, pp. 333–365.
The link between traumatic experiences in childhood and the development of dissociative disorders later in life is the subject of investigation in this article. The researcher underlines the huge impact that childhood trauma has on the development of dissociative disorders. This includes posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as the requirement for early detection and therapy in order to prevent the long-term detrimental consequences on child development.