Specific aspects of posttraumatic stress disorder in childhood and adolescence

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a risk for children and adolescents exposed to a serious traumatic event. Both diagnostics and treatment, especially in younger children, are complicated due to the child's immaturity in emotional, cognitive and relationship area.

Recently, we differentiate between posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of one sudden unexpected endangering situation, and a complex posttraumatic stress disorder, which is a result of a repeated, long-term traumatization usually in an important interpersonal context. The authors describe types of child trauma as well as characteristics of its clinical consequences and possibilities for treatment.

Keywords

• posttraumatic stress disorder
• complex posttraumatic stres disorder
• children and adolescents
• diagnostic
• therapy