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Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Trauma and stressor-related disorders are a group of emotional and behavioral problems that may result from childhood traumatic and stressful experiences.

There are many events that can cause trauma. Traumatic experiences can initiate strong emotions and physical reactions that can persist long after the event. Children may feel terror, helplessness, or fear, as well as physiological reactions such as heart pounding, vomiting, or loss of bowel or bladder control. Children who experience an inability to protect themselves or who lacked protection from others to avoid the consequences of the traumatic experience may also feel overwhelmed by the intensity of physical and emotional responses as a result of adapted neurobiology. Even though adults work hard to keep children safe, dangerous events still happen.

Read more regarding the different types of youth trauma and stress disorders through Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.