Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an emotional condition that often occurs after direct or indirect exposure to a terrifying event in which a child witnessed or actually experienced physical harm. Traumatic events that can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include violent assaults, physical or sexual abuse, shootings, natural disasters, or car accidents. One out of 13 Americans will develop PTSD during their lifetime, which is especially common among girls and women, who are about twice as likely as boys or men to develop PTSD.
This may be due to the fact that girls and women tend to experience domestic violence, rape, or abuse more often. Most children with PTSD try to avoid any reminders or thoughts of the trauma, but despite this, they often reexperience the ordeal in intense flashbacks, memories, nightmares, or frightening thoughts. Feelings of guilt from surviving an event in which friends or family died is also often a common feature of PTSD.
Any traumatic event can cause this disorder. Children under age 10 and teenagers through age 21 are more susceptible, beginning either as a sudden response to an event or a gradual development that can become chronic or persistent. Studies indicate that people who live with PTSD tend to have abnormal levels of key hormones involved in the stress response.