In children, PTSD looks a bit different. Have you
ever seen the movie or read The Client by John Grisham? Ricky,
the main character's little brother, is a very good example of what
can happen to a child who has witnessed a traumatic event. In this
story, he was hiding in the bushes when he heard a gunshot come from
a car and thought that his brother had been killed. His brother was
fine, but Ricky didn't know that and was so traumatized that he was
'frozen'; he could not speak or move, and would scream bloody murder
anytime someone came near him. This is *one* way PTSD looks in
children. Another way is bedwetting or forgetting toilet training,
behavioral problems or being particularly 'clingy' with a parent or
other adult. They might not call it PTSD, but adoption
agencies-public or private-warn of these problems when it comes to
adopting older children. The state agencies may help pay for the
treatment, but it's hard to say exactly what the child will need
because every child-and every trauma-is different.
Speaking of treatment, sufferers of PTSD have a
variety of options. Psychotherapy-"talk therapy"-in its
many forms has proven very helpful in helping a person adjust. One
such technique is called "exposure therapy". Basically, the
counselor finds out what a person's particular triggers are and
gradually reintroduces them into their daily lives. The same
technique is employed for patients with bipolar disorder or
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and has been very effective.
Cognitive restructuring therapy is also helpful
because it teaches the person to see what happened in a more
realistic light. Sometimes we remember things differently from the
way they actually happened, or focus more on some parts than others.
It's not uncommon for someone to feel guilt over having survived
something while others didn't or not having done more to prevent
whatever it was from happening. In a lot of cases, though, there was
really nothing that could
have been done because the situation was completely beyond the
patient's control. By helping them see the event-and their
reactions-in a more straightforward way, this therapy can go a long
way in relieving unfounded feelings of guilt. Support groups are
also very helpful because hearing the words, “It wasn't your fault”
or similar from people who have “been there” can help drive the
point home.
Sometimes doctors will prescribe antidepressants
to help alleviate overwhelming feelings of sadness that can get in
the way of working through things effectively.
For more information about PTSD from a
professional perspective, visit
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