PTSD in Children of Hurricane Katrina What Essay

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PTSD in Children of Hurricane Katrina

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There is much evidence that children who survived the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster are particularly vulnerable to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center surveyed nearly 7500 children (age 9-18) between 2005 and 2008 from the most heavily devastated parts of the Gulf region. Their findings indicated extreme PTSD due to displacement, separation from family, pets and loved ones and belongings, and the witnessing of the destruction of homes and neighborhoods (Kronenberg, 2000). In some cases children even reported seeing family members or friends die or suffer serious injury resulting in a great deal of depression.

According to definitions formulated by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), it should come as no surprise that many of these youth suffer from PTSD given the stressors they endured (2000). Children's typical symptoms after natural disasters include fear, depression, self-blame, guilt, loss of interest in school and other activities, regressive behavior, sleep and appetite disturbance, night terrors, aggressiveness, poor concentration, and separation anxiety (Speier, 2000).

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Similarly, manifestations of PTSD can include recurrent and intrusive thoughts and trauma-specific reenactments. Intense psychological distress may result in avoidance of certain stimuli and memory triggers related to the trauma, and feelings of detachment and estrangement from others (Kronenberg et al., 2000). For many children, this has led to increases in behavioral issues, including substance abuse, anger problems and paranoia (Alvarez, 2010).

Certain criteria exasperate PTSD symptoms in this group such as being younger in age, being female, having previous loss or trauma, and/or having actually lost a loved one as a result of the hurricane (Kronenberg, et al., 2010). Counseling approaches should be diverse, with attention given to acclimating to life beyond the tragedy. Particular attention should be given to the aforementioned groups due to their high propensity for PTSD. Research points to the importance of schools in the recovery process which can serve as a primary factor in a child's return to normalcy and routine (Alvarez, 2010). This includes the way schools welcome and integrate displaced children (i.e., grouping them together with psychological support to aid in their adjustment). Such.....

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