Physical symptoms of PTSD in children include sleep problems (nightmares, trouble sleeping), headaches, stomachaches, body tension, being jumpy or easily startled, and regressive behaviors like bedwetting or thumb-sucking, alongside heightened alertness, irritability, and physical reactions like a racing heart or sweating when reminded of the trauma, often appearing as physical complaints.
PTSD in children
Like adults, children with PTSD may also lose interest in activities they used to enjoy, and may have physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach aches. Other symptoms you may notice in children with PTSD include: difficult behaviour. avoiding things related to the traumatic event.
intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma. physical sensations such as pain, sweating, nausea or trembling.
Traumatic events can happen to us at any age. When children and teens go through traumatic events that lead to PTSD, their reactions may be different from adults. Learn how to recognize PTSD symptoms in your child or teen.
The typical onset age for PTSD is in young and middle adulthood. The NCS-R reported a median onset age of 23 (interquartile range: ages 15-39) among adults (Kessler et al., 2005). Two phenomena relevant to aging are delayed-onset PTSD and symptom exacerbation in late life.
Any child who witnesses or goes through a life-threatening experience is at risk of developing PTSD. While any traumatic event can trigger PTSD symptoms, common traumas that have been linked to the disorder include: accidents, such as car or plane crashes. natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes.
The length of the condition varies. Some people recover within 6 months, others have symptoms that last much longer. A child psychiatrist or other qualified mental health professional usually diagnoses PTSD in children or adolescents following a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.
Furthermore, cross-sectional studies suggest that youth with PTSD have abnormal frontolimbic development compared to typically developing youth. Examples include declining hippocampal volume, increasing amygdala reactivity, and declining amygdala-prefrontal coupling with age.
In univariate analyses, all 5 forms of childhood trauma in this study (ie, witnessing violence, physical neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse) demonstrated statistically significant relationships with the number of different aggressive behaviors reported in adulthood.
The 3-3-3 rule for kids' anxiety is a simple mindfulness grounding technique where they name 3 things they see, identify 3 sounds they hear, and move 3 different body parts (like wiggling toes, turning a head, or rolling shoulders) to shift focus from worries to the present moment, helping to calm overwhelming feelings. It's a quick, portable tool to manage anxiety, but for persistent issues, professional help is recommended.
Unexpected physical symptoms of PTSD
Trauma occurs when a person experiences a forceful blow to the head, causing the brain to rush within the skull. This movement can damage brain cells and disrupt the brain's normal functioning, leading to vomiting. The fluid buildup in the brain can also trigger nausea and vomiting.
Physical Sensations
Tremors or Shaking: These involuntary movements can occur as the body releases stored energy associated with traumatic experiences. Tingling or Warmth: You may feel tingling sensations or warmth in certain areas of your body as trauma is processed and released.
The "3-3-3 Rule" for kids is a simple mindfulness technique to manage anxiety by grounding them in the present moment: first, name three things they can see; next, identify three sounds they hear; and finally, move three different parts of their body. This engages their senses, shifts focus from worries, and helps them regain control when feeling overwhelmed, like during test anxiety or social situations.
A child psychiatrist or mental health expert can diagnose PTSD. They will do a mental health evaluation.
Criteria for Diagnosis
To receive a diagnosis of PTSD, a person must have at least one re-experiencing symptom, at least three avoidance symptoms, at least two negative alterations in mood and cognition, and at least two hyperarousal symptoms for a minimum of one month.
The 10 ACEs of childhood trauma are:
Understanding the Inner Child's Grief
The term “inner child” is used in psychology to represent the emotional, sensory, and relational imprints formed in early life. When children experience loss — through death, abandonment, neglect, or separation — they grieve, even if no one notices.
5 Childhood Trauma Personalities
At what age is post-traumatic stress disorder most common? Younger people are more likely to experience PTSD than are older people, and the average age of onset of PTSD is 23 years old. That said, people at any age can develop PTSD if they experience traumatic events.
Signs of childhood trauma
Left untreated, PTSD can lead to long-term problematic outcomes, even into adulthood. These can include depression, suicide risk, substance abuse, relationship problems or violent behavior.
The treatment with the best empirical evidence is Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT). TF-CBT generally includes the child directly discussing the traumatic event (exposure), anxiety management techniques such as relaxation and assertiveness training, and correction of inaccurate or distorted trauma related thoughts.
It's not about how “bad” the event was—it's about how the child experienced it. Common triggers for PTSD in children include: Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Being a victim of violence or a crime.
Your doctor or a behavioral health specialist (like a psychologist or psychiatrist) can diagnose PTSD. The person will talk with you and your child, ask questions, and listen carefully. Doctors will ask about the trauma and symptoms your child is having.