Children and adolescents who experience a trauma — such as a death in the family, a natural disaster, or physical or sexual abuse — may develop symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These can include nightmares, anxiety when reminded of the trauma, avoiding related thoughts and feelings, irritability, anger outbursts, changes in sleep, difficulty concentrating, and diminished interest in activities they once enjoyed.
Treatment of trauma can take time and involves carefully approaching the experience — for example, telling the story of the trauma several times or playing it out in a safe, supported way.