Prevention and treatment of the psychological consequences of trauma in children and adolescents.

There is increased awareness that children are commonly exposed to traumatic events with potential to cause psychological sequelae. Worldwide, children account for many of the victims of wars or natural disasters. Even in the more economically developed countries, it can be estimated that about a quarter will have encountered some severe trauma by the time they are 18 year old (Stevenson, 1999; Costello et al, 2002). Exposure to domestic, school and community violence are especially common in the United States. Terrorism has recently added another dimension to the possible sources of trauma. The rapid spread of information through the media means that more people are exposed, though indirectly, to traumatic events and can suffer negative psychological consequences, primarily because these events undermine the sense of security of the individual and lead to anxiety.