PTSD and Pediatric Organ Transplant
After your child’s transplant, have you been more irritable? Anxious? Even depressed? Do you have trouble controlling your emotions when you’re in an environment or situation that reminds you of transplant and associated experiences? Do you have flashbacks or nightmares about it? Have you experienced any unexplained physical symptoms? You are not alone. All of these are symptoms of PTSD. Studies suggest that up to 51% of parents and caregivers of pediatric transplant patients develop PTSD. Your child could be effected, as well.
PTSD is not to be taken lightly. It can effect your ability to adequately care for your child’s medical needs. Studies suggest that pediatric transplant patients with PTSD have a higher incidence of rejection.
Below, you can find information on PTSD, signs and symptoms, links to medical documentation and resources.
What is PTSD?
“Post traumatic stress disorder[note 1] (PTSD) is a severe condition that may develop after a person is exposed to one or more traumatic events, such as sexual assault, serious injury or the threat of death.[1] The diagnosis may be given when a group of symptoms such as disturbing recurring flashbacks, avoidance or numbing of memories of the event, and hyper-arousal (high levels of anxiety) continue for more than a month after the traumatic event.[1]” - Wikipedia
“PTSD develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. The person who develops PTSD may have been the one who was harmed, the harm may have happened to a loved one, or the person may have witnessed a harmful event that happened to loved ones or strangers.” -nimh.nih.gov
Symptoms of PTSD:
1. Re-experiencing symptoms
Flashbacks—reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating
Bad dreams
Frightening thoughts.
Re-experiencing symptoms may cause problems in a person’s everyday routine. They can start from the person’s own thoughts and feelings. Words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event can also trigger re-experiencing.
2. Avoidance symptoms
Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience
Feeling emotionally numb
Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry
Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past
Having trouble remembering the dangerous event.
Things that remind a person of the traumatic event can trigger avoidance symptoms. These symptoms may cause a person to change his or her personal routine. For example, after a bad car accident, a person who usually drives may avoid driving or riding in a car.
3. Hyperarousal symptoms
Being easily startled
Feeling tense or “on edge”
Having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts.
Hyperarousal symptoms are usually constant, instead of being triggered by things that remind one of the traumatic event. They can make the person feel stressed and angry. These symptoms may make it hard to do daily tasks, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating.
It’s natural to have some of these symptoms after a dangerous event. Sometimes people have very serious symptoms that go away after a few weeks. This is called acute stress disorder, or ASD. When the symptoms last more than a few weeks and become an ongoing problem, they might be PTSD. Some people with PTSD don’t show any symptoms for weeks or months.
Do children react differently than adults?
Children and teens can have extreme reactions to trauma, but their symptoms may not be the same as adults. In very young children, these symptoms can include:
Bedwetting, when they’d learned how to use the toilet before
Forgetting how or being unable to talk
Acting out the scary event during playtime
Being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult.
Older children and teens usually show symptoms more like those seen in adults. They may also develop disruptive, disrespectful, or destructive behaviors. Older children and teens may feel guilty for not preventing injury or deaths. They may also haDve thoughts of revenge. For more information, see the NIMH booklets on helping children cope with violence and disasters. (from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) )
Links to Articles:
“Both patients and caregivers should watch for signs of PTSD. It is a real complication and is not a sign of weakness.” - http://www.morethanillness.org/index.php/main-content/mental-illness/15-post-traumatic-stress-following-transplant
Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Parents of Transplant Recipients: Incidence, Severity, and Related Factors - http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/111/6/e725.full.pdf
Resources and Help
Some of these resources suggest the use of certain medications to help with PTSD. I, personally, feel that therapy from a licensed professional who specializes in PTSD is best. However, every case is different and should be evaluated by a mental health professional if you or your child’s symptoms are severe.
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