DSM-5 PTSD in Young Children (≦6yo) Quiz

Recent Diagnoses

• Two new diagnoses introduced in recent diagnostic manuals: Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders.

Key Features of Trauma

• Trauma encompasses experiences that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope.

Prevalence of Trauma

• By age 18, approximately 60% of young individuals have experienced at least one traumatic event, based on a UK epidemiological study.

Definition of Trauma

• Trauma is defined as an emotional response to an event that is distressing or harmful.

Reactions to Traumatic Events

• Most reactions to traumatic events tend to subside within a few days to weeks after the incident.

PTSD Characteristics

• A major characteristic of PTSD in the DSM-5 is re-experiencing the traumatic event through intrusive thoughts or flashbacks.

Risk Factors for PTSD

• Common risk factors for developing PTSD include prior trauma experience, lack of social support, and ongoing stressors.

Key Factor in PTSD Development

• A significant factor in developing PTSD is the severity and duration of the trauma experienced.

Focus of Trauma-Focused CBT

• The main focus of trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is to address and process the trauma directly.

Non-Recommended Treatments for Children

• Medication is not recommended as a frontline treatment for children with PTSD.

Nature of Trauma Memory

• According to Ehlers and Clark's model, the nature of trauma memory is fragmented and disorganized, impacting memory processing.

PTSD and Other Conditions

• PTSD often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, complicating diagnosis and treatment.

Long-term Impact of Trauma

• The term "toxic stress" describes the long-term impact of abusive or neglectful experiences on children's brain development.

Affected Brain Systems

• Childhood trauma can impact three primary brain systems: the limbic system, the prefrontal cortex, and the amygdala.

Negative Memory Changes

• A term describing the increased prominence of negative memories and reduced detail in everyday memories after trauma is "memory fragmentation."

PTSD Symptoms in Children

• A symptom of PTSD in young children, according to the DSM-5, may include re-enacting the traumatic event through play.

Focus of CBT-3M

• The CBT-3M treatment specifically aims to help young children process trauma and develop coping strategies.

Importance of Exposure Work

• Trauma-focused exposure work is vital in treating PTSD, as it helps individuals confront and integrate traumatic memories.

Complex PTSD in Children

• Complex PTSD is more likely to occur in young children following exposure to repeated traumatic events rather than a single incident.

Second-line Treatment for PTSD

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is suggested as a second-line treatment for children failing to respond to CBT.

Supporting Trauma-Exposed Children

• One main consideration for supporting trauma-exposed children includes creating a safe and nurturing environment.

Identification of PTSD in Young Children

• PTSD is often poorly identified in young children due to the lack of clear communication of symptoms.

Adaptations for Young Children

• DSM-5 criteria for PTSD include adaptations for children aged six years and younger, focusing on behavioral symptoms.

Key Points on Childhood Trauma and PTSD

• A crucial point is that early traumatic experiences can have lasting effects on emotional and cognitive development in children.

Recommended Treatment for PTSD in Children

• The recommended treatment strategy for both PTSD and Complex PTSD in children is trauma-focused CBT.

Perception of Threat

• Trauma alters the perception of threat, leading to increased anxiety and hypervigilance in children exposed to trauma.

Challenges in Exposure-Based Treatment

• Factors such as fear, trauma-related anxiety, and the child's developmental stage may hinder completing exposure-based treatments.

Clinician-based Influences

• Clinician-based factors that might influence treatment delivery include their level of experience with trauma-informed care and biases.

Key Task for Clinicians

• A key task for clinicians is to build trust and rapport with children to facilitate the therapeutic process in addressing PTSD.

Test your knowledge on DSM-5 PTSD in Young Children (≦6yo) subtype (PTSDYC) and improve your understanding of re-experiencing, avoidance, negative self-concept, and arousal symptoms. Assess your understanding of emotional distress, physical reactivity, and avoidance of trauma-related thoughts and reminders.