Adolescent - Trauma

By Craig Rogers

Adolescent trauma can come from experiencing abuse or violence personally or witnessing events that are violent or abusive. Though not every adolescent exposed to sexual violation, a traffic accident, natural disasters, domestic violence, community violence, physical abuse, or severe injury or death will be traumatized as a result, some will experience long-term effects of trauma including damage to their development as young adults. Some will even develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to cope with the emotions they feel in relation to the traumatic event they've experienced.

Age makes a big difference in how a teenager will respond to trauma. Some may be unable to sleep, isolate themselves, or have a hard time paying attention in school. Others may act out, behaving poorly or intentionally breaking rules, hurting themselves or hurting others. Still others may have intense reactions or episodes of crying, screaming, and other severe responses when reminded of the traumatic event or put in a position to believe that it may be repeated.

Physiologically, an adolescent’s development may actually be altered by trauma, resulting in changes to the brain and nervous system that may mean decreased ability to perform at school, increased negative interactions with peers and authority figures, and increased involvement in high-risk activities like unprotected sex and drug abuse. It can also mean a decreased ability to succeed in personal matters, at school and at work.

Treatment for Adolescent Trauma

The best way that you can help your teen deal with trauma and begin the process of healing is to enroll them in a treatment center that can provide them with the medical and psychotherapeutic care they need. If drug and alcohol abuse is a problem as well, both issues should be addressed simultaneously at a dual diagnosis rehabilitation center staffed by specialists in both areas. Our professionals at Therapy Insider specialize in placing troubled adolescents and troubled young adults into treatment centers for numerous behavioral and mental health issues.