Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Youth

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychological Association [APA], 2013) as a disorder that can occur following exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence (Criterion A) that is characterized by the presence of intrusion symptoms related to the traumatic event (Criterion B). In youth, these intrusion symptoms often manifest as repetitive play, frightening dreams without recognizable content, and trauma-specific re-enactment during play. Youth who have PTSD may also experience persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma (Criterion C), negative alterations in cognitions and moods (Criterion D), and hyperarousal and reactivity, often with little or no provocation (Criterion E). There are some minor differences in the diagnostic criteria for children younger than six years of age (e.g., fewer symptoms needed for diagnosis), and all symptoms must be considered in the context of the individual’s developmental stage and in light of pre-trauma functioning.