There are a myriad of causes or potential situations that can be traumatic in a child’s life. Those events in a child’s life that might leave a deep enough wound or scar to trigger PTSD, and the symptoms as described in the DSM V.
I write about childhood trauma probably because I’m still angry over my parents inability to see the signs and symptoms that something was deeply wrong with myself. They simply didn’t catch it.
The information below is from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
These events can also be cumulative, like constant bullying. One incident may not cause a negative mental response, but not full blown PTSD. A lifetime of bullying because your “different” or “queer” can have terrible effects on a child.
Parents fighting or a divorce can do the same. A father or mother that is constantly drunk or high on one drug or another. Sexual, physical or psychological.
All of these can be traumatic for a child, but if there are no symptoms over an extended period of time you can’t truly call it PTSD.
Supposedly.
My brother’s drinking can be attributed to my father’s verbal and physical abuse. Does he have nightmares or flashbacks? I don’t think so. But it’s not something we discuss.
Growing up with a father in the military was difficult to say the least. Constant moving, changing people in your lives, never setting roots in the ground. It was hard on all three of us. Trying to fit into a new school every year, especially when you attended the local schools outside the base. Being fat and smart I had my share. The names, the fights and scuffles.
But my true PTSD was caused by a one time event, the rest of the wounds and scars I bear are from circumstances and life itself. That one event was complicated by the physical changes in my body and being abandoned by my parents.
The fact my father was quick with the belt, distant and overbearing didn’t cause PTSD. But his demeanor certainly didn’t help.
What Experiences Might Be Traumatic?
- Physical, sexual, or psychological abuse and neglect (including trafficking)
- Natural and technological disasters
- Family or community violence
- Terrorism, mass violence, and school shootings
- Discrimination, prejudice, and racism
- Sudden or violent loss of a loved one
- Substance use disorder (personal or familial)
- Traumatic separation (including as part of an immigration journey or incarceration)
- Refugee and war experiences (including torture)
- Serious accidents or life-threatening illness
- Military family-related stressors (e.g., deployment, parental loss or injury)
When children have been in situations where they feared for their lives, believed that they would be injured, witnessed violence, or tragically lost a loved one, they may show signs of child traumatic stress.
https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/about-child-trauma