title: Anticipatory stress response in PTSD: extreme stress in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anticipatory stress chronically activates the stress response in children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Effects of the allostatic load may begin even before birth in a stressful environment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this paper is to discuss the anticipatory stress response in children with PTSD. The paper discusses the etiology, the impact of the disorder on long-term health, cognitive and behavioral manifestations, and clinical management and treatment options.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review on current literature is presented and includes several key studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anticipatory stress in PTSD has acute and long-term health implications for the child. The psychiatric nurse plays a key role in preventing the long-term effects of PTSD.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA. sherry.d.grogan@uth.edu
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grogan
authors.forename: Kathleen Pace
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*