{"id":7802,"date":"2026-02-26T09:34:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T08:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.verusbonifatius.ppgmbhdev.de\/?p=7802"},"modified":"2026-03-04T17:00:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T16:00:59","slug":"recognising-and-treating-ptsd-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.verusbonifatius.ppgmbhdev.de\/en\/aktuelles\/magazin\/recognising-and-treating-ptsd-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding PTSD in Children and Adolescents \u2013 Symptoms, Consequences and Modern Treatment Approaches"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

What is PTSD in Children and Adolescents?<\/h2>\n

What PTSD Means in Childhood and Adolescence<\/h3>\n

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents develops after an event that was experienced as overwhelming, life-threatening or deeply unsettling. The decisive factor is that the experience overwhelms the child’s internal coping mechanisms.<\/p>\n

Typical traumatic triggers can include:<\/p>\n

Sudden, threatening experiences<\/b>
\nThese include serious accidents, medical emergencies or natural disasters. Children often experience such situations more intensely because they are not yet able to assess danger realistically.<\/p>\n

Experiences of violence<\/b>
\nPhysical or psychological violence, abuse or domestic conflicts can permanently destroy a child’s sense of security.<\/p>\n

Loss and separation<\/b>
\nThe death of a family member or an unexpected separation can have a particularly strong impact if children are unable to process the situation emotionally.<\/p>\n

Repeated stressful situations<\/b>
\nConstant stress, neglect or witnessing violence often lead to chronic overload and thus to an increased risk of PTSD.<\/p>\n

Children process traumatic experiences differently than adults. Their ability to regulate their emotions is not yet fully developed. This is why PTSD in children often manifests itself in very diverse and sometimes difficult to interpret ways.<\/p>\n

Find out here how to recognise early signs that your child may be experiencing psychological problems.<\/b><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7804″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Recognising Symptoms and Warning Signs Early on<\/h2>\n

Emotional and Physical Stress Reactions<\/h3>\n

In children and adolescents, PTSD often initially manifests itself through emotional and physical symptoms<\/a> that are difficult for outsiders to interpret. Many of those affected suddenly appear very insecure, withdraw or react unusually strongly to everyday situations.<\/p>\n

Typical emotional reactions include persistent anxiety,<\/a> severe nervousness<\/a>, sadness<\/a> or a feeling of inner numbness. Physical symptoms often include sleep disorders, stomach aches, headaches or sudden exhaustion \u2013 especially when no medical cause can be found.<\/p>\n

These stressful reactions are an indication that the child is struggling with inner images, memories or emotions that they cannot cope with alone.<\/p>\n

Current research also shows that traumatic experiences are widespread in childhood and adolescence. According to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI)<\/a>, around 15 to 20 per cent of all children and adolescents have experienced at least one potentially traumatic event. Some of those affected develop post-traumatic stress disorder over time.<\/p>\n

International surveys by the World Health Organisation (WHO)<\/a> estimate that around 5 per cent of all children and adolescents worldwide meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. These figures highlight the importance of early detection and professional support.<\/p>\n

Behavioural Patterns That Indicate PTSD<\/h3>\n

PTSD in children and adolescents often first manifests itself in noticeable behavioural changes. These can vary greatly and depend heavily on age and how the individual processes stress. Typical warning signs include:<\/p>\n

Noticeable avoidance behaviour<\/p>\n