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Behavioral and Emotional Diagnoses

 

in Kids with a Trauma History

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Symptoms of ODD may include:

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  • Frequent temper tantrums

  • Excessive arguing with adults

  • Defiance and refusal to comply with requests and rules

  • Deliberate attempts to annoy people

  • Blaming others for mistakes or misbehavior

  • Irritability

  • Frequent anger and resentment

  • Spiteful and vindictive

   (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A sad child holding her mother for comfo

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety may include:

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  • Excessive distress when separated from home or family

  • Excessive worry about the safety of a family member or self

  • Refusal to go to school

  • Panic or temper tantrums when separated from parents or caregivers

  • Frequent headaches, stomachaches, muscle aches, or other physical complaints

  • Clinginess, even what at home

  • Fear and reluctance to be alone

  • Excessive worry when sleeping away from home

  • Refusal to sleep alone

  • Repeated nightmares with a theme of separation

     (Zero to Three, 2016)

Separation Anxiety

Image by Chinh Le Duc

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Symptoms of PTSD may include:

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  • Physiolgocial reaction or emotional symptoms when reminded of event

  • Worry about dying at an early age

  • Loss of interest in activities

  • Physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches

  • Sudden extreme or emotional reactions

  • Repeated nightmares

  • Problems falling or staying asleep

  • Irritability or angry outbursts

  • Problems concentrating

  • Acting younger than their age

  • Acting or feeling like the experience is occurring again

  • Play or behavior that reencacts some aspect of the trauma(s)

(American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2021; Zero to Three, 2016)

Frightened Girl Screaming After Seeing H

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Symptoms of Phobic Disorder may include:

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  • Extreme fear of something specific, such as:

    • a person

    • an animal

    • an object

    • a place

    • a situation

  • Feelings of fear so intense there is disruption to daily life and routine

  • Feelings of fear so intense they do not subside even with reassurance from parents or other caregivers

   (National Health Service, 2021)

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Phobic Disorder

Irritated mother sitting on couch workin

Symptoms of ADHD may include:

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  • Distraction and difficulty concentrating

  • Challenges with learning in school

  • Inattention to details, makes careless mistakes

  • Disorganization

  • Loss of school supplies and forgetfulness with homework

  • Trouble finishing schoolwork

  • Difficulty following through on instructions

  • Hyperactivity and restlessness

  • Blurting out answers

  • Difficulty waiting their turn

  • Fidgeting or squirming

  • Excessive Talking

   (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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