Discussion 1: PTSD Interventions

Children and adolescents may experience long-term psychological effects from experiencing traumatic events, which is known as childhood post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Childhood PTSD can be found within every area of the world, and many studies have found that children who have been exposed to armed conflict or refugee camps have high rates of PTSD. For example, 20 percent of 56 children living in a Sudanese refugee camp had chronic PTSD (Moss et al., 2006). As a potential health psychology professional, you may work with a child or an adolescent that has has experienced trauma or has PTSD. While children, adolescents, and adults may all experience PTSD, children often exhibit symptoms that require unique interventions.

For this Discussion, review the media located in this week’s Learning Resources on child and adolescent trauma. Then, select a type of trauma discussed in the media or another trauma of interest to you. Consider the PTSD symptoms that a child may display and possible interventions to reduce those symptoms.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that any trauma-focused work, even including coursework specific to crisis, disaster, and other trauma-causing events, may elicit painful emotions and reactions. Further, it is possible that you may be a survivor of the events discussed or similar events. It is important that you be self-aware and monitor any potential emotional reactions to work in this course, specifically when a Discussion or Assignment Assignment has you reflect and discuss personal experiences associated with trauma. If you find a need to work through unresolved trauma response, you may access mental health services through the Student Assistance Program. For more information, visit the Walden University website at http://www.waldenu.edu/experience/support-services

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 3

1. A brief description of the type of trauma you selected.

2. Describe three potential PTSD symptoms children experience with this type of trauma.

3. Then describe one intervention that may be effective in reducing one of the symptoms and explain why it might be effective.

4. Finally, explain how the timing of a PTSD intervention may influence the success rate of reducing PTSD symptoms in children. Support your responses with the Learning Resources and current literature.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.