Any trauma can cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – and it can affect anyone, of any age. Someone may develop PTSD when they perceive an event or experience as either life-threatening, extremely dangerous or one which creates feelings of fear, horror or helplessness. 

It’s important to recognise however that children and adults will experience PTSD differently. Adults are typically better able to verbalise how they are feeling and what they are experiencing, whereas young children will struggle to vocalise these emotions, and so it’s vital that any parents, caregivers, teachers and anyone who comes into contact with children can understand more about the condition – what can cause it, what symptoms and reactions to look out for, and what treatments are available. 

Please click on any of the blocks below to find out more about what PTSD in children is, what causes PTSD in children and young adults, symptoms to look out for, treatments for PTSD in children, resources for teachers, more about complex PTSD in children, how you can help your child with PTSD, and support if you’re a young adult and have PTSD or C-PTSD.