Psychological impact of trauma on developing children and youth.
All too often, children and adolescents are exposed to traumatic events that lead to physical injury in many cases, psychological perturbation in most cases, and enduring psychological reactions, notably posttraumatic stress disorder, in a minority of individuals. This sequence of events can affect later development, learning, emotions, and behavior. In the process of caring for the physical injury, it is important for the primary care practitioner (PCP) to correctly interpret these presentations and anticipate the need for specific assessments, immediate intervention, referral, and follow-up. This report provides the foundation for such actions on the part of the PCP.
Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA. rspates@wmich.edu
C Richard
CR
Spates
Nishani
N
Samaraweera
Brian
B
Plaisier
Theresa
T
Souza
Kanako
K
Otsui
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001524:Behavioral Medicine; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy