Children and adolescents treated for post-traumatic stress disorder at the Free State Psychiatric Complex

Abstract

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Children and adolescents can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after exposure to a range of traumatic events, including domestic, political or community violence, violent crime, physical and sexual abuse, hijacking, witnessing a violent crime and motor vehicle accidents. This is particularly critical given the substantial challenge that PTSD poses to the healthy physical, cognitive and emotional development of children and adolescents.</p><p><strong>Methods.</strong> The clinical records of 1 229 children (age 2 - 11 years) and adolescents (age 12 - 18 years) treated at the Child Mental Health Unit of the Free State Psychiatric Complex (FSPC) were screened for the diagnosis of PTSD and analysed for the purpose of this study.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> Forty-nine (4.0%) of the children and adolescents treated at the unit were diagnosed with PTSD, of whom most were female (63.3%). Approximately 22% of the participants had comorbid major depressive disorder. The main traumatic event in both groups was witnessing the death of a close relative (32.7%), followed by sexual assault (25%), rape (25%) and physical attack (10.2%). Associated stressors identified included problems at school (55.1%), isolation (39%), fear or anxiety (37%), problematic family relationships (29%), emotional (27%) and physical (23%) abuse, and lack of social support (23%). Most of the participants (59.2%) received psychotherapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions.</strong> Children and adolescents referred to the FSPC are also exposed to traumatic events which lead to the development of PTSD. The Free State is a sprawling province with remote areas where specialist services and facilities are limited. It is therefore recommended that preventive programmes, training opportunities and consultation services are implemented to identify and treat children and adolescents with PTSD. Schools with limited access to psychological services and large classrooms, impeding the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD specifically, face similar challenges. Reinforcement of professional services and the upgrading of facilities will decrease the burden on the Child Mental Health Unit, but will require collaborative efforts from role players such as the National Departments of Health and Education.</p>

Differences in Abuse, Neglect, and Exposure to Community Violence in Adolescents With and Without PTSD and Depression

“…Previous research found that 90% of South African youth reported being a witness of physical violence in their neighborhood and 48% reported seeing at least one murder in their lifetime (Shields, Nadasen, & Pierce, 2008; Ward et al, 2001). PTSD prevalence among South African adolescent samples ranges between 3.5% and 5.8% in general community samples, but prevalence rates are relatively unknown among clinic samples (Calitz, de Jongh, Horn, Nel, & Joubert, 2014; Ward et al, 2001).…”

A Recreational Games Program for Decreasing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Mothers of Autistic Children

“…It includes all painful thoughts, images, perceptions and repeated nightmares related to the traumatic event in addition to psychological stress and physiological pain. This dimension includes (16) items (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”

“…In some cases, symptoms last for short time and disappear quickly but in other cases it may last for months or even years (41: 581). (11) who indicated that post-traumatic disorder includes several other psychological disorders that may appear individually or as a set. These include anxiety, depression, poor expression of emotions and thoughts and emotional disorder.…”

Understanding Children’s Mental Traumas: Causes and Prevention Strategies

“…Children experience traumatic events in three ways; directly experiencing a traumatic event; witnessing such events; traumatic event happening for a loved person. Reactions such as fear, terror, helplessness, shame and guilt experienced during or after traumatic events are reactions frequently given responses to traumatic events [2]- [4]. These reactions may be more severe and long-lasting based on severity and fearsomeness of traumas experienced by children.…”