What Does PTSD Look Like in Kids? Signs Every Parent Should Know

Understanding PTSD in Children: It's Not Always What You Think

When most people think of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), they imagine soldiers or adults after a major accident. But kids? Yep, they can suffer from PTSD too — and it often shows up in ways that are easy to miss or totally misinterpret. We're talking tantrums, nightmares, sudden clinginess, or even silence.

And sometimes — brace yourself — adults might just label it as “bad behavior” when it’s actually trauma talking.

Common Symptoms of PTSD in Kids

Emotional and Behavioral Changes

Children with PTSD might not have the words to describe what they’re feeling, so they show it through their behavior.

• Outbursts or aggression: It’s not always “acting out.” It can be fear or panic in disguise.

• Withdrawal: Suddenly quiet? Doesn’t want to play anymore? Could be a sign they’re avoiding triggers or memories.

• Increased clinginess: A previously independent child might suddenly want to sleep in your bed again. That’s not just a phase — it can be deep anxiety.

A teacher once told me about an 8-year-old who completely stopped participating in class after witnessing a house fire. Everyone thought he was just “being defiant.” Turned out, he was constantly reliving the event and could barely focus.

Physical Symptoms

It’s wild how trauma can live in the body, especially for kids. Some of the lesser-known physical signs include:

• Stomachaches or headaches with no medical reason

• Trouble sleeping or constant nightmares

• Regression — like bedwetting, thumb-sucking, or baby talk

That last one? Super common, and super misunderstood.

What Causes PTSD in Children?

Not Just “Big” Traumas

People assume PTSD only happens after “huge” things like war, abuse, or natural disasters. But for kids, even “small” events can feel catastrophic:

• A bad car crash

• Hospitalization

• Witnessing violence, even indirectly

• Death of a pet or close relative

• Ongoing bullying or neglect

Let’s be real: kids’ worlds are smaller than ours. Something that seems minor to us might shake everything for them.

How PTSD Can Affect Development

Emotional Growth Gets Put on Hold

If a child is dealing with PTSD, their brain focuses on survival — not learning or growing. So yeah, that can mean delays in emotional regulation, social skills, or even speech.

It’s like their body is stuck in “fight or flight” mode, and there’s no energy left for anything else.

I remember working with a boy who couldn’t handle loud noises at all after a traumatic break-in at his house. Fireworks on the 4th of July? Instant meltdown. His brain associated that sound with pure fear.

Trouble Trusting Others

This one's big. Trauma can mess with how kids see the world — and people in it. They might struggle with trust, have issues making friends, or always expect bad things to happen.

And it’s not because they’re “difficult.” They’re protecting themselves.

What You Can Do as a Parent or Caregiver

Recognize and Validate Their Experience

First off, believe them. If something felt scary or overwhelming to your child, it was — even if it doesn’t seem like a big deal to you.

Phrases like:

• “That must have been really hard.”

• “I’m here if you want to talk about it.”

• “You’re safe now.”

…go a long way. Seriously, sometimes just being heard changes everything.

Get Professional Help

If the symptoms last more than a month or get worse, it’s time to bring in the pros. Pediatric therapists, trauma-informed counselors, child psychologists — they’ve got tools that work.

Therapies like:

• Trauma-focused CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

• Play therapy (yep, that’s a real thing — and it works wonders)

• Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT)

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. And no, going to therapy doesn’t mean you failed as a parent. It means you care enough to help.

Final Thoughts: What PTSD Looks Like in Kids May Surprise You

Here’s the kicker: PTSD in kids can look like so many different things. It’s often quiet. Or loud. Or both. What matters is not missing the signs and remembering that kids process trauma differently than adults.

Give them grace. Give them space. And don’t be afraid to ask for support — they deserve it, and so do you.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.