DOCTORS have been warned to look out for a spike in children suffering post- traumatic stress disorder after recent terror attacks and the Grenfell Tower inferno.
Health chiefs say kids are at greater risk of mental distress after seeing the horrors on TV and on social media.
Doctors are now being told to watch out for signs of PTSD in patients such as flashbacks or trouble sleeping.
NHS England has written to all GPs to warn them of a potential rise in cases of mental distress among adults and children.
They say around one in five people affected by the tragedies needs help, while others with existing mental illness “may be destabilised by these experiences”.
Dr Arvind Madan, NHS England’s Director of Primary Care, says doctors should look out for symptoms including vivid recall of incidents, nightmares and increased dependence on drugs or booze.
Family medics say children affected may suffer from poor self-esteem, think they are a bad person, struggle to show trust, or experience shame or fear.
More than 30 people were killed in the London and Manchester terror attacks, and hundreds more injured. At least 80 people died in the Grenfell Tower blaze.
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Dr Sandeep Ranote, from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“These are traumatic events.
“Children will inevitably learn about incidents through news and social media. Some people will go on to need more specialist support, and it is very important they access this help via their GP.”