Psychological responses to traumas of children younger than 6 years old diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Introduction

Criterion A2 causes many controversies in the diagnostic process of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among young children. Depending on the manner in which the trauma is indirectly experienced, clinical picture of disorder could be formed by different groups of symptoms. Profiles of symptoms groups are dependent of children ability to speak, describe or of play observation by expert.

Methods

The study included 8 children younger than 6 with PTSD diagnosis. Children were observed in a routine clinical practice.

Results

Examinees under the age of six, whose can describe traumatic event, produce symptoms that represent compaction of a traumatic event, associated with fantasies and meanings related to previous traumatic experiences. Reexperiencing symptoms associated with A2 criterion (intrusive thoughts, images, scenes of the traumatic event, recurring nightmares with oneiric sequences of the accident) were rare. Avoidance and inhibited reactions were attributable.

Discussion

Manners in which children younger than 6 experienced the trauma shows a large range from florid symptoms stated by the existing accepted classification. The results point out possible multifactorial cause of PTSD etiology.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.