What is PTSD?
Children and teens can sometimes be in situations that cause them to be very stressed, scared and/or even in danger; and these experiences can affect the way they think and feel.
If a child or teen suffers from such symptoms for more than one month, it is possible that they may have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If left untreated, the symptoms of PTSD may get worse and cause depression, severe disability, or other problems.
Being more resilient than some might think, most of these children recover or “bounce back” quickly. However, some children could have problems in the long run, especially in case of severely stressful events.
The long-term problems that children and teens may experience from these traumatic events can cause significant upset, may prevent them for keepin
What are some examples of traumatic events?
Examples of traumatic events that can cause PTSD are:
- Physical, sexual or emotional abuse, including bullying.
- Having suffered a physical injury, or seeing someone get hurt.
- Loss or threatened loss of a family member or friend
- Severe accidents (like car crashes) experienced by them, or seeing it happen to someone else
- Natural or man-made disasters
- Domestic violence (verbal, emotional, physical), as either a victim or a witness.
- Parent divorce (one parent leaves), or being separated from the parents/caretakers
What are some of the symptoms of PTSD?
- Feeling as if they are experiencing the event over and over, or reenacting the event while playing
- Nightmares and insomnia; “night terrors”
- Becoming extremely upset when something triggers traumatic memories
- Very strong fears or great sadness
- Behavioral changes like being irritable (cranky) and angry
- Constantly looking for possible threats, being easily startled
- Social withdrawal (avoiding being with friends)
- Denying that the event happened, or acting as if it never did
How is PTSD diagnosed?
The symptoms of children with of PTSD may look similar to the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is why the diagnosis of PTSD needs a thorough evaluation of the child by a qualified mental health professional.
NovoTelehealth is composed of qualified healthcare providers who, besides being equipped to diagnose and recommend the most effective therapies, are a caring and compassionate group of people who will do a thorough evaluation of your child’s mental and physical health and will formulate a comprehensive, holistic treatment tailored to their individual needs.
What treatment options are available for PTSD
It is common for people with PTSD to be treated with medication known as anxiolytics or antidepressants, but medication is not the only treatment available, and in fact, medication alone is not enough to treat PTSD. Your integrative team at Novo goes above and beyond to not only address your child’s PTSD, but also support their health in the most effective, comprehensive and holistic way. Some treatment options include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Psychotherapy
- Behavior modification
- Medication
- Naturopathic medicine
- Diet modification
- Nutritional supplements
- Mindfulness techniques
To know more about PTSD and how NovoTelehealth can support you and your family in living a happier, healthier life, book an appointment with us online or at one of our locations.
