Overthinking on trauma makes kids prone to developing PTSD

Washington: While trauma in itself can pose risk to a child’s healthy development, overthinking on such events makes the kid more prone to suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), says a recent study.
If they think their reaction to traumatic events is not normal, they become more likely to develop PTSD, the study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, has found.
Children begin down this route when they have trouble processing their trauma and perceive their symptoms as being a sign that something is seriously wrong.
While most children recover well after a traumatic event, some go on to develop PTSD that may stay with them for months, years, or even into adulthood.
Lead researcher Prof Richard Meiser-Stedman, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “Symptoms of PTSD can be a common reaction to trauma in children and teenagers. These can include distressing symptoms like intrusive memories, nightmares, and flashbacks.” “Many children who experience a severe traumatic stress response initially can go on to make a natural recovery without any professional support. But a minority go on to have persistent PTSD, which can carry on for much longer,” he said.