Recognizing the Signs of PTSD in Children and Adolescents

By: Jennifer Serrano

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often associated with veterans returning from war, but trauma doesn’t discriminate by age. Children and adolescents can also experience PTSD after a traumatic or frightening event, sometimes even when they weren’t directly involved. Understanding how PTSD shows up in young people is critical for parents, caregivers, and educators who want to support healing early.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) develops after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. While the diagnosis is often connected to soldiers, anyone, including children, can be affected. Car accidents, natural disasters, abuse, witnessing violence, or even hearing about a traumatic event can trigger PTSD symptoms.

For kids and teens, these experiences can alter how they see the world, their safety, and themselves. The challenge? Children often don’t have the language or emotional maturity to express what they’re going through. Instead, symptoms often show up in behavior, sleep, and physical health.

Common PTSD Symptoms in Children and Adolescents

PTSD symptoms can vary, but these are among the most common:

⦁ Nightmares or night terrors

⦁ Flashbacks or intrusive memories triggered by sounds, colors, or objects that remind them of the trauma

⦁ Avoidance of certain people, places, or activities linked to the event

⦁ Heightened anxiety or hypervigilance, always on edge, easily startled

⦁ Sleep problems such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking in cold sweats

⦁ Emotional numbness or withdrawal from once-enjoyed activities

⦁ Negative thoughts and moods, including hopelessness or irritability

⦁ Physical complaints such as stomach aches or headaches

Why This Matters for Parents

Children often internalize their feelings, making their symptoms harder to spot. A stomachache after a car accident or headaches weeks after a loss may not seem connected, but these physical complaints can be early signs of PTSD. Recognizing these changes early gives children the best chance at recovery.

How Parents Can Support a Child with PTSD

1. Seek Professional Help First

⦁ Therapy is the most effective treatment. Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is often used to help children reframe negative thoughts and reduce symptoms. In severe cases, medication may be recommended.

2. Create Structure and Routine

⦁ Chaos makes PTSD symptoms worse. A consistent schedule helps children feel safe and grounded. Predictability reduces stress and builds trust in their environment.

3. Encourage Expression Through Art and Play

⦁ Children may not always say what they’re feeling, but they can show it. Drawing, painting, or role-playing with dolls or action figures helps them process emotions in a way they can control.

4. Offer Emotional Support

⦁ More than anything, children need to know they are not alone. Listening, comforting, and validating their feelings creates a safe space for healing, even when parents don’t fully understand the trauma themselves.

Helping Children Understand It’s Not Their Fault

Children often carry guilt after traumatic events. They may think they caused it, or they may feel survivor’s guilt if others were hurt and they were not.

Parents can help by:

⦁ Explaining clearly that the trauma was not their fault

⦁ Identifying where responsibility truly lies (e.g., with the person who caused harm)

⦁ Reassuring them that their feelings are valid but not blameworthy

This conversation can look different depending on the trauma, but the goal is the same: helping the child release self-blame.

Signs of Progress in Recovery

While PTSD is not something that disappears overnight, progress is measurable. Parents and therapists may notice:

⦁ Children sleeping more peacefully through the night

⦁ Less avoidance of certain sounds, people, or places

⦁ A return of interest in hobbies or friendships

⦁ Reduced irritability or physical complaints

Progress doesn’t mean PTSD is “gone.” Symptoms may resurface later in life, but recognizing improvement is an important encouragement for children and families.

Resources for Families

If you suspect your child is struggling with PTSD, you don’t have to do this alone. Helpful resources include:

⦁ Trauma-focused therapy (TF-CBT)

⦁ Support groups for families and children with PTSD

⦁ School counselors and pediatricians who can connect you to local specialists

A Message of Hope for Children Struggling with PTSD

To every child facing trauma: “Do not give up. Healing is possible. You are not alone, and your life is worth fighting for.”

👉 Learn more about supporting children’s mental health at www.samuelsholistic.org or contact samuelsholistic@gmail.com for professional counseling resources.