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Pediatric Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

It’s normal for kids to feel scared, anxious, or have nightmares after something traumatic happens. But if these feelings don’t go away after a while and get in the way of daily life it could be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

At UVA Health Children’s, our team of pediatric mental health experts have helped many children manage PTSD. We also support families by giving them the tools they need to help their children heal.

What Does PTSD Look Like in Kids?

PTSD can show up in different ways depending on your child’s age and personality. A sudden change in behavior after a scary or upsetting event could be a sign that your child is struggling.

Here are some common symptoms seen in children of all ages:

  • Angry outbursts
  • Fear that doesn’t go away
  • Nightmares or trouble sleeping
  • Avoiding things that remind them of the trauma

In younger kids, you might also notice:

  • Acting out the traumatic event during play
  • Clinging to trusted adults
  • Getting memories mixed up or out of order (called “time skew”)
  • Believing the trauma could have been predicted (called “omen formation”)

Teenagers with PTSD may:

  • Pull away from friends or family
  • Struggle in school
  • Act without thinking (impulsive behavior)
  • Become aggressive

What Causes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

There’s no simple answer for why PTSD happens to some kids and not others. It’s not about how “bad” the event was—it’s about how the child experienced it.

Common triggers for PTSD in children include:

  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
  • Being a victim of violence or a crime
  • Natural disasters (like hurricanes or fires)
  • Serious injuries or accidents
  • The loss of a loved one
  • Medical emergencies or chronic illness

Sometimes, even witnessing one of these events happen to someone else can lead to PTSD.

How Is PTSD Treated in Children?

We create a treatment plan that fits your child and family together with you. Every child is different. While some want to talk about what happened, others may feel worse when the trauma is brought up in conversation. Understanding what your child needs helps us offer the best care.

These are just some of the ways we treat PTSD at UVA Health Children's. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT helps kids learn ways to cope with difficult thoughts and feelings. Trauma-informed CBT is a special type of CBT for kids who have experienced trauma. This approach focuses on building a sense of safety, recognizing triggers, and processing the trauma in a healthy way.

Medication

There’s no drug specific for PTSD, but some medications can help manage symptoms like anxiety or panic attacks. If we think medication might help, we’ll help connect you with a provider who can talk through the options with you and prescribe accordingly.

How Can Families Help with PTSD Treatment?

At UVA Health Children’s, we believe that family plays a key role in healing. When families are involved, recovery can happen both during therapy and at home.

We may invite parents or caregivers to join therapy sessions, or suggest private sessions for the child—we will discuss a plan together with you. Sometimes kids open up more when they have one-on-one time with a therapist.

We’ll also teach you about your child’s symptoms, so you know how to respond in the moment when your child needs support most.