What Teachers Should Know Someone can develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic or terrifying event in which physical or emotional harm was experienced, threatened, or witnessed. People of any age can have PTSD. It can happen as a sudden, short-term response (called acute stress disorder) or develop gradually and become chronic or persistent. Causes of PTSD include: violent assaults physical, emotional, or sexual abuse fires or natural disasters automobile accidents senseless acts of violence, such as school or neighborhood shootings arrests, overdoses, evictions serious physical injuries or life-threatening medical illnesses witnessing another person go through these kinds of traumatic events PTSD also can happen after the unexpected or violent death of a family member or close friend, or following serious harm or threat of death or injury to a loved one. Survivor guilt (feeling guilty after surviving an event in which someone died) also might be a component of PTSD. Students with PTSD may: seem irritable, anxious, cranky, or angry seem detached or depressed have problems paying attention or concentrating have trouble eating or sleeping may startle easily or be overly sensitive to noises, sights, or smells that remind them of the traumatic event avoid people, places, things, or activities that remind them of the event They might need to: take medicine to treat anxiety miss class time to talk with school counselors or mental health specialists have extra time to complete class work What Teachers Can Do Students with PTSD might not recognize the link between their symptoms and the trauma. PTSD usually requires help from a mental health professional experienced in treating the disorder. It might help students to talk with family, friends, teachers, or a school counselor, when and if they feel ready. Students with PTSD need time to begin to feel better and to learn to manage their anxiety. Avoid overloading them with homework or things that can add to their stress. Be supportive and allow students to practice relaxation techniques when appropriate. Encourage students with PTSD to talk with a school counselor when symptoms arise. Back to Articles Related Articles About Serious Stress Serious stress can come from dealing with a personal crisis, a disaster, a health crisis, or a mental health condition that feels out of control. Here's what to do when stress gets really serious. Read More Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Kids and teens who live through a traumatic event can develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Healing is possible with the help of professional counseling and support from loved ones. Read More Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Sometimes after experiencing a traumatic event, a person has a strong and lingering reaction known as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Getting treatment and support can make all the difference. Read More Should You Worry About School Violence? After hearing news of school shootings or other violence, it's natural for students — no matter how old they are or where they go to school — to worry about whether this type of incident may someday happen to them or their friends. Read More Childhood Stress Being a kid doesn't always mean being carefree - even the youngest tots worry. Find out what stresses kids out and how to help them cope. Read More Date Rape About half of people who have been raped know the person who attacked them. This article explains what date rape is, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you've been raped. Read More Abusive Relationships Abuse has no place in love. Read this article to find out how to recognize the signs of abuse and how you can get help. Read More School Violence and the News As terrible and frightening as incidents of school violence are, they are rare. But it's natural for kids to worry. Here's how to help them deal with these fears. Read More Stress Stress happens when you are worried or uncomfortable about something. You may feel angry, frustrated, scared, or afraid. Our article for kids will help you manage stress. Read More School Counselors School counselors know how to listen and can help kids with life's challenges. Read More School Counselors School counselors can give you all sorts of tips and support on solving problems and making good decisions. But how do you meet with a counselor and what is it like? Find out here. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.