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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a distressing or life-threatening event.
It affects how the brain processes memory, emotion and safety, leading to ongoing anxiety, flashbacks or emotional numbness.
Children and young people can develop PTSD after trauma such as accidents, loss, abuse, or prolonged stress.
Common symptoms include:
Check signs of PTSD
Learn how trauma can affect behaviour, mood and learning.
PTSD can result from one major event or repeated exposure to distress.
Common causes include:
Some may develop Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) when trauma occurs over a long period or in early life.
Learn about causes of PTSD
Understand how trauma and prolonged stress affect the brain.
Assessment is usually carried out by:
Diagnosis may involve:
Children with PTSD may:
Schools can help by:
An EHCP or pastoral plan may include trauma-informed teaching approaches.
Effective treatments include:
Support should be paced carefully to avoid re-traumatisation.
