Interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents

Clinical features, epidemiology and aetiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are outlined. Treatment outcome studies involving children with PTSD who have survived traumatic accidents, natural disasters and child sexual abuse are reviewed. An evidence-based assessment and treatment protocol is outlined for children and adolescents with PTSD. Key components of effective treatment are psycho-education about trauma reactions, sustained exposure to trauma-related cues and memories until habituation occurs, coping skills training for children to help them manage anxiety and parent training to equip parents with the skills to help them facilitate their children's recovery.