Intrusion symptoms
Intrusion symptoms are those where the traumatic event 'intrudes' on the child or teen's everyday life. They include:
- recurring, unwanted and uncontrolled memories of the traumatic event
- in children, repetitive play with trauma-related themes
- recurring dreams related to the traumatic event or the emotions the child or teen felt at the time
- flashbacks about the event — experiencing the traumatic event again, sometimes with a complete loss of awareness of present surroundings
- intense and prolonged psychological or physical distress at reminders of the trauma
Avoidance of stimuli associated with traumatic event
As the term suggests, this involves a child or teen avoiding or trying to avoid all memories, thoughts or feelings related to the event. It can also involve avoiding, or trying to avoid, external reminders (such as people, places, conversations, activities, objects or situations) that bring up distressing memories, thoughts or feelings about the traumatic event.
Negative changes in thoughts and mood
A child or teen with PTSD may:
- be unable to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event
- hold persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about themselves or those around them
- blame themselves or others for the causes or consequences of the traumatic event because of persistent and distorted thoughts
- experience ongoing negative emotions such as fear, horror, anger, guilt or shame
- lose interest in or cut back on activities that once mattered to them
- feel detached (separate) from others
- be persistently unable to experience positive emotions such as happiness, satisfaction or love
Altered reactivity
If a person experiences PTSD, they may be more reactive to their surroundings and what is said to them. For example, they may:
- be more irritable or have angry outbursts with little or no provocation
- be verbally abusive or physically aggressive towards people or objects, including through extreme temper tantrums
- be more easily startled or more aware of their surroundings
- find it hard to concentrate
- have disturbed sleep
- engage in reckless or self-destructive behaviour