Conditions
Trauma/PTSD Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety condition that follows the occurrence of a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, combat, sexual assault, domestic violence, or any type of life-threatening event. An incident that has a profound, stressful effect on an individual can trigger the disorder. It can occur at any age, affecting children as well as adults. Very often, when a person is afflicted with PTSD, other conditions may also arise, such as Depression, alcohol addiction and substance abuse. Medical conditions may occur as well, due to the fact that the body is being subjected to a great deal of stress and anxiety.
It is not known exactly what may be responsible for post-traumatic stress disorder. A physician will diagnose it based on a clinical interview and the symptoms that are being experienced. An evaluation of a person experiencing PTSD symptoms will help to ascertain if the condition is present.
It is believed that various factors may be involved when PTSD develops. These include social, genetic, physical and psychological factors. Post-traumatic stress disorder affects how the body reacts to stress, changing stress hormones and chemicals that are transmitted between the nerves. Some individuals experience traumatic events without developing PTSD, while others who endure stressful situations will develop symptoms of the disorder.
Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADD/ADHD)
Children with ADHD show inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity more frequently and severely than children of the same age or developmental level. ADHD occurs in 3-5% of school age children and can run in families. A child with ADHD may also have other psychiatric disorders such as conduct disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or learning disabilities. Without proper treatment, the child will have difficulty paying attention in class, not complete schoolwork and thus get low grades. Teachers and families who do not recognize this problem may label the child as “lazy”. The symptoms of ADHD in childhood can continue in to adulthood, especially if left untreated, and can causes significant problems in holding steady jobs and maintaining healthy relationships.
Depression
Depression often comes with a profound sadness about oneself and life. Basic functions (sleep, attention, appetite, energy) can be so impaired that daily life activities become painful to tolerate. Like adults, children and teenagers can have depression. About 5 percent of children and adolescents suffer from depression, but the behavior of depressed children and teenagers may differ from the behavior of depressed adults. The child and teenager may complain of boredom, become very irritable or complain of frequent headaches and
stomachaches. Depressed adolescents may abuse alcohol or other drugs to cope with their feelings. The good news is that depression can be successfully treated.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder (also known as Manic-Depressive Illness) consists of fluctuations between high, low, or irritable moods. Some people may have mostly depression and others a combination of manic and depressive symptoms. Manic symptoms include severe mood swings, unrealistically or grandiose self-esteem, excessive energy leading to little sleep, and rapid speech and movement. Bipolar Disorder can begin in childhood and during the teenage years, although it is usually diagnosed in adult life. The diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in children and teens is complex and involves careful observation over an extended period of time.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and often accompany depression in adults. It manifests itself as repeated worries and concerns about the future. If untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to, or worsen existing depression. Children and teenagers often express anxiety through physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches, become irritable and have tantrums, or become “clingy” or refuse to go to school. Forms of anxiety include phobias, separation anxiety, social phobia, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety condition that follows the occurrence of a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, combat, sexual assault, domestic violence, or any type of life-threatening event. An incident that has a profound, stressful effect on an individual can trigger the disorder. It can occur at any age, affecting children as well as adults. Very often, when a person is afflicted with PTSD, other conditions may also arise, such as Depression, alcohol addiction and substance abuse. Medical conditions may occur as well, due to the fact that the body is being subjected to a great deal of stress and anxiety.
It is not known exactly what may be responsible for post-traumatic stress disorder. A physician will diagnose it based on a clinical interview and the symptoms that are being experienced. An evaluation of a person experiencing PTSD symptoms will help to ascertain if the condition is present.
It is believed that various factors may be involved when PTSD develops. These include social, genetic, physical and psychological factors. Post-traumatic stress disorder affects how the body reacts to stress, changing stress hormones and chemicals that are transmitted between the nerves. Some individuals experience traumatic events without developing PTSD, while others who endure stressful situations will develop symptoms of the disorder.
Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADD/ADHD)
Children with ADHD show inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity more frequently and severely than children of the same age or developmental level. ADHD occurs in 3-5% of school age children and can run in families. A child with ADHD may also have other psychiatric disorders such as conduct disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or learning disabilities. Without proper treatment, the child will have difficulty paying attention in class, not complete schoolwork and thus get low grades. Teachers and families who do not recognize this problem may label the child as “lazy”. The symptoms of ADHD in childhood can continue in to adulthood, especially if left untreated, and can causes significant problems in holding steady jobs and maintaining healthy relationships.
Depression
Depression often comes with a profound sadness about oneself and life. Basic functions (sleep, attention, appetite, energy) can be so impaired that daily life activities become painful to tolerate. Like adults, children and teenagers can have depression. About 5 percent of children and adolescents suffer from depression, but the behavior of depressed children and teenagers may differ from the behavior of depressed adults. The child and teenager may complain of boredom, become very irritable or complain of frequent headaches and
stomachaches. Depressed adolescents may abuse alcohol or other drugs to cope with their feelings. The good news is that depression can be successfully treated.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder (also known as Manic-Depressive Illness) consists of fluctuations between high, low, or irritable moods. Some people may have mostly depression and others a combination of manic and depressive symptoms. Manic symptoms include severe mood swings, unrealistically or grandiose self-esteem, excessive energy leading to little sleep, and rapid speech and movement. Bipolar Disorder can begin in childhood and during the teenage years, although it is usually diagnosed in adult life. The diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in children and teens is complex and involves careful observation over an extended period of time.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and often accompany depression in adults. It manifests itself as repeated worries and concerns about the future. If untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to, or worsen existing depression. Children and teenagers often express anxiety through physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches, become irritable and have tantrums, or become “clingy” or refuse to go to school. Forms of anxiety include phobias, separation anxiety, social phobia, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).