Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Stats on Children and Teens
Comments (0) - 15-43% of girls and 14%-43% of boys will experience a traumatic event
- 3-15% girls and 1-6% of boys will develop PTSD
- As many as 30-60% of children who have survived specific disasters have PTSD
- According to The National Center for PTSD: “Rates of PTSD are much higher in children and adolescents recruited from at-risk samples. The rates of PTSD in these at-risk children and adolescents vary from 3 to 100%.
- 3-6% of high school students in the U.S. who survive specific disaster develop PTSD.
- More than 33% of youths exposed to community violence will experience PTSD.
According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) children with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, may have intense fear and anxiety, become emotionally numb or easily irritable, or avoid places, people, or activities after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or life-threatening event.
Not every child who experiences or hears about a traumatic event will develop PTSD. It is normal to be fearful, sad, or apprehensive after such events, and many children will recover from these feelings in a short time.
Children most at risk for PTSD are those who directly witness a traumatic event, who suffered directly (such as injury or the death of a parent) had mental health problems before the event, and who lack a strong support network. Violence at home also increases a child’s risk of developing PTSD after a traumatic event.
For more info on PTSD, and other anxiety disorders, visit:
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