Can you be diagnosed with PTSD under 18?

It is estimated that approximately 5\% of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 will develop PTSD; and the more severe the trauma, the more likely a teen is to be affected by the symptoms of PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder in adolescents and teenagers has been widely researched over the years.

How old do you have to be to be diagnosed with PTSD?

Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. This includes war veterans, children, and people who have been through a physical or sexual assault, abuse, accident, disaster, or other serious events. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 7 or 8 out of every 100 people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives.

Can a 13 year old be diagnosed with PTSD?

Children and teens can develop PTSD if they have been directly involved, or witnessed a serious traumatic event. Some common traumas include: Being involved in, or witnessing, a car accident.

Can you be diagnosed with PTSD at 16?

In fact, teens may get PTSD from a variety of traumas. Children and teens are still learning how to live in their own skin. Adults may write-off certain cases of trauma as typical school teasing, but this can be extremely detrimental to a child or teen’s mental health.

Does PTSD affect age group?

PTSD affects 3.5\% of the U.S. adult population—about 7.7 million Americans—but women are more likely to develop the condition than men. About 37\% of those cases are classified as severe. While PTSD can occur at any age, the average age of onset is in a person’s early 20s.

How is PTSD detected?

To diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder, your doctor will likely: Perform a physical exam to check for medical problems that may be causing your symptoms. Do a psychological evaluation that includes a discussion of your signs and symptoms and the event or events that led up to them.