Does My Child Have PTSD?: What to Do When Your Child Is Hurting from the Inside Out

by Jolene Philo

Is it possible that the struggles you have with your child may be because he or she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Once ignored, even by the medical professionals treating war veterans, PTSD is gaining global recognition as a very real and serious issue for those who have experienced traumatic events, even children.

When children experience medical illness, witness violence, or are abused, it can leave a lasting effect. According to recent studies, 50 to 60 percent of children who experience these traumas early in life may suffer from a form of PTSD, leading to issues in childhood, through adolescence, and even into adulthood.Does My Child Have PTSD? is designed for readers looking for answers about the puzzling, disturbing behaviors of childen in their care.

With years of research and personal expererience, Philo provides critical information to help people understand causes, symptoms, prevention, and effective diagnosis, treatment, and care for any child struggling with PTSD."

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2015

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book cover-to-cover this afternoon and evening. It is the best book on children's PTSD that I have read--and I've read a few! What makes it the best? It is incredibly thorough, yet has minimal technical jargon. (OK. Maybe I've read so many books that the technical jargon is fairly accessible. Fair enough.) The author does a great job explaining trauma and how children of various ages experience it; she also thoroughly describes various methods of dealing with/healing PTSD. The author's son was traumatized as a newborn, yet was healed of his PTSD at age 26. While it is terribly sad that he had to suffer for so many years, his story of healing encourages my great hope for our daughter. So much of this book speaks exactly to our situation. Also, one of the clinicians mentioned is someone to whom I have spoken--someone whose phone number is among my contacts--someone I believe will some day help our daughter. (She works at the same clinic in WV where the author's son was healed of his PTSD.) To make a long story a bit shorter, I can identify so deeply with this author and am so incredibly encouraged by her writing that I cannot rate this book any less than five stars. Wow! Great book! So helpful! :)

[Kathy Kuhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed on my website, http://learndifferently.com

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I approach this book as a pastor, and a parent of a three-year-old son with complicated medical issues. Therefore I am both sympathetic and interested in hearing Jolene Philo's experiences and observations.

I found some parts of this book helpful, but overall I think it is symptomatic of a larger cultural problem regarding PTSD: the reduction of all human experience, in this case that of suffering, to a biological or medicalized model. There are certainly biological components to every human experience, and in some cases biology is a major factor, but it is reductionistic to treat everything as somehow related to a brain dysfunction. The result is that the recommended treatments inevitably require a professional, and assume a particular understanding of human nature and healthy human function. Only in modern society is it assumed that a brain scan is the route to such an understanding.

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was difficult for me to read because I worry about my youngest girls since the death of their father in 2012. I also worry about my grandchildren because they lost a sibling in 2013. According to this book, the answer would be "yes," my children and grandchildren have some signs of PTSD. Philo gives concrete answers to how a parent can seek help and I found her to be extremely intelligent and an excellent writer. This book rates five stars for parents, counselors, or anyone working with children.

[Lorna Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jolene Philo shares her experiences as a parent of child diagnosed with PTSD due to traumatic medical intervention. Her work is well-researched with practical suggestions for understanding and getting help for PTSD.

[Candice Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found that the book had a good balance between actual facts, (with references) and personal stories. The facts set the foundation of the learning for me and the personal stories gave the facts a real world perspective

[Jessica Speer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book combines research and facts with personal stories to make the difficult topic of PTSD understandable and manageable. A great read for parents as well as professionals that work with children!

[B Detes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a one-of-a-kind tool! Read my full review at http://www.comfortinthemidstofchaos.c...

[Carla Manly · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN INVALUABLE READ! This book is a terrific resource for any parent or caregiver who wants to support children who have been affected by PTSD.