Acute and posttraumatic stress disorders (asd and ptsd) in children and adolescents

[Britney]

Acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are reactions to traumatic events. The reactions involve intrusive thoughts or dreams, avoidance of reminders of the event, and negative effects on mood, cognition, arousal, and reactivity. ASD typically begins immediately after the trauma and lasts from 3 days to 1 month. PTSD can be a continuation of ASD or may manifest up to 6 months after the trauma and lasts for greater than 1 month. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria. Treatment is with behavioral therapy and sometimes with SSRIs or antiadrenergic drugs.

(See also Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in adults.)

ASD and PTSD are trauma- and stressor-related disorders. They used to be considered anxiety disorders but are now considered distinct because many patients do not have anxiety but have other symptoms instead.

Because vulnerability and temperament are different, not all children who are exposed to a severe traumatic event develop a stress disorder. Traumatic events commonly associated with these disorders include assaults, sexual assaults, car accidents, dog attacks, and injuries (especially burns). In young children, domestic violence is the most common cause of PTSD.

Children do not have to directly experience the traumatic event; they may develop a stress disorder if they witness a traumatic event happening to others or learn that one occurred to a close family member.