--- title: 'How to recognise symptoms of PTSD' url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ptsd/how-to-recognise-symptoms-of-ptsd' markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ptsd/how-to-recognise-symptoms-of-ptsd.md' date: '2026-04-09' description: "Traumatic experiences are more common in childhood than many people realise. After a frightening or distressing event, most children will feel shaken — but with family support, they usually recover well. For some children, though, the effects don't fade. Flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance and emotional withdrawal can all be signs that a child has developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because children rarely talk directly about what they're going through, these symptoms are often missed or misread as something else entirely. This short film helps parents and carers understand what PTSD looks like in children — how it differs from ordinary distress, what to watch for at different ages, and when it's time to seek professional support. Early recognition makes a real difference." taxonomy: category: - 'Mental Health' tag: - Environment - Trauma - PTSD type: - Video contributor: - 'Max Blustin' --- # How To Recognise Symptoms of PTSD [ Environment ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Environment) [ Trauma ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Trauma) [ PTSD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:PTSD) [ ![Nip in the Bud](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/themes/nitb/images/logos/round-logo.png) ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us "About Nip in the Bud") Duration: 0h 1m 56s Published: October 2018 Produced and Directed by: [Max Blustin](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us/authors-and-experts/max-blustin) #### Warning: Please note – some images and content may be upsetting or disturbing. This film is not intended to be watched by children Traumatic experiences are more common in childhood than many people realise. After a frightening or distressing event, most children will feel shaken — but with family support, they usually recover well. For some children, though, the effects don't fade. Flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance and emotional withdrawal can all be signs that a child has developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because children rarely talk directly about what they're going through, these symptoms are often missed or misread as something else entirely. This short film helps parents and carers understand what PTSD looks like in children — how it differs from ordinary distress, what to watch for at different ages, and when it's time to seek professional support. Early recognition makes a real difference. --- Was this helpful? 0 0 Share: [ Previous Post](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/trauma/supporting-children-after-trauma) [Next Post ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/ptsd-in-the-classroom-tips-for-teachers) #### Other Related Posts: ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/how-to-celebrate-neurodiversity-and-learn-from-our-children/diversity-celebration.jpg) ### Podcast: How to celebrate neurodiversity and learn from our children [Podcast: How to celebrate neurodiversity and learn from our children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/how-to-celebrate-neurodiversity-and-learn-from-our-children) How to celebrate neurodiversity and learn from our children [ ADHD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ADHD) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Dyspraxia ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Dyspraxia) [ Dyslexia ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Dyslexia) [ Dyscalculia ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Dyscalculia) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/03.trauma/what-is-trauma-focused-cbt/trauma-in-children.jpg) ### Video: What is trauma-focused CBT? [Video: What is trauma-focused CBT?](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/trauma/what-is-trauma-focused-cbt) Trained therapists can deliver specialist trauma-focused CBT to help face the trauma and control horrible thoughts. [ Trauma ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Trauma) [ PTSD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:PTSD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/09.ptsd/what-is-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/ptsd-and-me.jpg) ### Video: What is post traumatic stress disorder? [Video: What is post traumatic stress disorder?](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ptsd/what-is-post-traumatic-stress-disorder) Nip in the Bud has been given permission by the UK Trauma Council to share this series of four short animations, which they have produced on the topic… [ Trauma ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Trauma) [ PTSD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:PTSD) --- ## Navigation - Parent: [PTSD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ptsd.md) - Previous: [PTSD in the classroom - Tips for Teachers](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/ptsd-in-the-classroom-tips-for-teachers.md) - Next: [Supporting Children After Trauma](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/trauma/supporting-children-after-trauma.md)