NHS epidemic of teens stricken by childhood trauma

ONE in 13 children and teenagers in the UK has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, research reveals.

A study of more than 2,000 children found that nearly a third (31 per cent) of young people had a traumatic experience before the age of 18.

And one in four met the criteria for PTSD, according to researchers at King’s College London.

Professor Andrea Danese, from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, said: “Our findings should serve as a wake-up call – childhood trauma is a public health concern yet trauma-related disorders often go unnoticed.

“Young people with PTSD are falling through the gaps in care and there is a pressing need for better access to mental health services.

“Child mental health services need to make more resources available to address the needs of traumatised young people.”

Symptoms of PTSD include reliving traumatic events through distressing memories or nightmares, feelings of detachment, irritability or difficulty concentrating.

The participants, who were born in England and Wales in 1994 and 1995, were assessed and interviewed at the age of 18. Those who had developed PTSD had high rates of other mental health disorders – three in four had another mental health condition.

Suicide

They were also at high risk of harming themselves – half had self-harmed and one in five had attempted suicide since the age of 12.

One in four were also not in education, employment, or training at age 18, and half experienced social isolation or loneliness.

However only one in five of those had received help from a health professional in the last year.

Emma Thomas, chief executive of young people’s mental health charity YoungMinds, said: “Research tells us that children who go through traumatic experiences, such as bereavement, abuse or neglect, are more likely to develop mental health problems and become suicidal.

“As a society, we must get much better at identifying when seemingly ‘difficult’ behaviour may be a reaction to a traumatic event.

“It’s crucial that the Government implements a national commitment to addressing childhood adversity, ensuring that all professionals who are working directly with young people know what behaviours may be related to trauma, and how to support them.”

The study, published in medical journal The Lancet Psychiatry, also found the risk of developing PTSD was greatest after a direct assault or threat.

As many as 74 per cent of young people who experienced a sexual assault developed PTSD.