Overcoming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (For Kids)

Overcoming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (For Kids)

How can you as a parent, teacher, or guardian help your child?

• Most kids will need time to adjust after a stressful event. While they do, it’s important to offer support, love, and understanding.
• Try to keep kids’ schedules and lives as similar as possible to before the event.
• Let them talk about the traumatic event when and if they feel ready. Praise them for being strong when they do talk about it, but don’t force the issue.
• Reassure them that their feelings are typical and that they’re not “going crazy.”
• Some kids and teens find it helpful to get involved in a support group for trauma survivors.
• Get professional help immediately if you have any concern that a child has thoughts of self-harm.
• Help build self-confidence by encouraging kids to make everyday decisions where appropriate.
• Tell them that the traumatic event is not their fault.

In these, do not judge and do not criticize the possible behavior change.
Example: Acting out that a traumatic event must have caused.

Get professional help and support for yourself too. It helps you to be better equipped to handle the situation.

Sending you and your family strength and love.