This page has been reviewed by Dr Marielle Quint, March 2025.
Children and teenagers can develop trauma-related symptoms or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing or witnessing distressing events. These may include abuse, accidents, violence, serious illness, natural disasters, or the sudden loss of a loved one. Every child responds differently, but trauma can have a lasting effect on how a young person thinks, feels, and behaves.
Symptoms may appear shortly after the traumatic event, or they may take weeks or months to emerge. They can affect sleep, concentration, emotions, and relationships.
1. Re-experiencing symptoms (reliving the trauma)
Nightmares or distressing dreams related to the event
Flashbacks – feeling as though the event is happening again
Intense distress or fear when reminded of the trauma
Physical symptoms in response to reminders (e.g., heart racing, feeling sick)
2. Avoidance and emotional numbing
Avoiding people, places, or activities linked to the trauma
Difficulty remembering key parts of the event
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from others
Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Expressing hopelessness or negative thoughts about the future
3. Hyperarousal (heightened alertness and anxiety)
Easily startled or constantly on edge
Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
Difficulty concentrating at home or school
Irritability, angry outbursts, or aggressive behaviour
Physical complaints without a medical cause (e.g., headaches, stomach aches)
Regression in behaviour (e.g., bedwetting, thumb-sucking)
Clinginess or separation anxiety
Repetitive play or drawings related to the trauma
Tantrums, crying, or acting out fears
Risk-taking behaviour (e.g., self-harm, substance use)
Withdrawing from friends and family
Difficulty trusting others or feeling misunderstood
Feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame
Mood swings, depression, or suicidal thoughts
Diagnosis is based on a detailed understanding of the child’s experiences and symptoms. A mental health professional will:
Speak with the child and their caregivers
Use standardised screening tools to assess symptom patterns
Explore how the symptoms affect the child’s daily life
Early identification helps ensure children receive timely and appropriate support.
Trauma is treatable, and many children recover well with the right support.
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT)
A highly effective therapy that helps children:
Understand how trauma affects thoughts and feelings
Learn coping skills to manage distress
Gradually talk about and process the traumatic experience in a safe environment
Build confidence and emotional resilience
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
A specialised therapy that helps reprocess traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact, often used with older children or teens.
Family-based intervention
Supports parents in understanding trauma, improving communication, and creating a secure, predictable environment.
Additional support
Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or grounding
Psychoeducation about trauma for children and parents
School support to reduce academic and social pressures
At Kidswell Health, our in-house team of experienced child psychologists and therapists specialise in treating trauma and PTSD in children and teenagers. We offer tailored assessments and trauma-informed therapies, including TF-CBT and EMDR, all within our clinic.
If your child is showing signs of trauma or struggling after a distressing event, contact Kidswell Health for expert and compassionate support.
If your child is in crisis or at risk of harm, please seek urgent help via emergency services or visit Mind’s crisis support guide.
Book an appointment with one of our experienced professionals today.
