What's the difference between normal stress and PTSD in kids?

Though most kids react to stress only briefly and then recover, some do not. Their fear may last to the point that they are unable to cope with life. The traumatic event may be replayed over and over in their minds.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is when those fears last (sometimes for months or years) or even come back after the trauma. The key word in this disorder is “post.” A child with PTSD usually displays symptoms within three months following the tragedy, but those symptoms may not start until weeks, months or even years later.