Traumatic events can leave psychological scars that last for years. It extends the suffering of an individual after the original event has passed. For teenagers, it can be especially troubling, and can manifest as a variety of disorders such as PTSD or dissociative disorder.
Treatment may help an adolescent cope with a childhood or teenage trauma and help them live a more normal life. To learn about our treatment options, contact Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers at 866-889-3665.
Learn about Trauma Disorders
Trauma disorders can be caused by any psychological or emotional scar in an adolescent. Child abuse, natural disasters, sexual violence, personal tragedy, or other experiences may cause enough trauma to persist throughout teenage years or young adulthood. Normal emotional responses are disrupted by these types of traumas. Trauma disorders can constrict life, damage future relationships, and cause feelings of shame.
Specifically, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common manifestations of trauma. It is characterized by a failure to recover after witnessing or experiencing a terrifying event. For some people, this resolves internally after a few months. For others, long-term treatment may be necessary.
Signs & Symptoms of Trauma Disorder
Common signs of a trauma disorder include:
- Unwarranted flashbacks to traumatic events
- Heightened reaction to certain stimuli
- Feelings of dread
- Social withdrawal
- Inability to maintain relationships
- Inability to maintain trust
- Difficulty with coherent thoughts, feelings, memories, or perceptions
- Avoiding certain scenarios that remind an individual of trauma
Symptoms of individuals with a trauma disorder include:
- Eating Disordered Behaviors
- Emotional Dysregulation
Trauma disorders are treated with time and professional therapy. Behavioral therapy can help normalize emotional responses to certain stimuli. Exposure, ERP, EMDR, and various somatic therapies are effective modalities for supporting teenagers while undergoing treatment. Therapy and medication are the best treatment options, especially if the disorder is severe.