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Teen Trauma: Signs, Effects, & Treatment
Traumatic events can have lasting impacts on people, especially if they occur in childhood or adolescence. Many teens who experience trauma early on deal with many problems as they continue to age.
If you are worried that your child or teen has experienced a traumatic event that may be causing them distress, it is vital to seek out a health professional. Developing a treatment plan early can help your loved one overcome these problems.
Call Nexus Teen Academy today and learn about our residential trauma treatment programs for teens in Arizona.
Teen Trauma Treatment in Arizona
If you are looking for immediate help for teenage trauma for your son or daughter, Nexus Teen Academy can assist. We offer teen trauma treatment in Arizona at our teen residential facilities located throughout the Valley.
These 10-bed adolescent trauma treatment centers utilize personalized care plans to ensure that treatment fits the needs of your son or daughter. Additionally, our clinical director, therapists, and the rest of our clinical team are experts in teen mental health, including teen trauma, with decades of combined experience.
At Nexus, we utilize evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT, as well as holistic therapies like meditation and equine therapy to provide a comprehensive approach to care. Schedule a call today and get the admissions process started.
What is Teen Trauma?
Trauma is defined as an event that leads to physical or emotional harm or puts someone in a life-threatening scenario. These events will likely have ripple effects on the individual’s well-being, affecting their mental and physical health and day-to-day life.
Trauma in Teens
Traumatic events can happen to anyone at any time. If not managed or treated, exposure to traumatic events can lead to many dangerous and lasting problems for children and teenagers. Things like learning problems, long-term health issues, and illicit activity are all problems that child trauma survivors are more likely to deal with.
That said, there are teen trauma treatment options available to help adolescents struggling to get the assistance they need. Contact Nexus Teen Academy today and learn more about how our trauma treatment center in Arizona can help.
Examples of Traumatic Events for Teens
Some examples of traumatic events that can occur in teens or adolescents include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Natural disasters
- Violent or life-threatening accidents
- Family violence
- School violence
- Loss of a loved one and more
Signs of Trauma in Adolescence
If you know that your child or teen was involved in some sort of traumatic event recently or when they were younger, it is vital to stay alert to their behaviors and emotions. It is important to be able to identify the problems that people with trauma demonstrate. If you recognize these signs of trauma in adolescence, you may be able to get treatment before the problem intensifies into post-traumatic stress disorder.
Common Signs of Trauma in Teens
Some of the common signs that a middle or high schooler may be dealing with trauma or traumatic stress include:
- Depressive symptoms and feelings
- Development of eating disorders
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Difficulty sleeping
- Becoming sexually active
Effects of Trauma in Adolescence
Trauma affects everyone differently, but unchecked trauma can lead to many dangerous effects and outcomes. Some of the most common effects include:
- Increased risk of PTSD
- Increased risk of substance abuse
- Aggression
- Sadness and loneliness
- Trust issues
- Suicidal ideation and self-harm
As the problem develops and worsens, so do the symptoms and effects of adolescent trauma. If you notice your loved onse is dealing with issues processing a traumatic event, it is vital to seek help.
Trauma Therapy for Teens
Trauma is not something to ignore or think someone can naturally overcome. If left untreated, it can lead to long-lasting and disastrous problems. That said, professional treatment is an option to help your teen or child overcome these issues.
At clinical treatment programs, teens can engage with various therapies, medications, and holistic options to get a better understanding of their trauma and work to move past it. Some of the common types of teen trauma-focused therapy include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Dialectical behavior therapy and more
These talk therapy options, as well as things like meditation, mindfulness practices, and more, can all help people rewire the way their brain processes past trauma.
Goals of Teen Trauma Treatment
The goals of treating trauma in adolescents will depend on each unique situation and individual, however, some of the common things the treatment will address include:
Rebuild Relationships & Healthy Habits
Someone dealing with trauma will likely have hurt connections with loved ones and stray from healthy living habits. One major goal of treatment is to reestablish these things and get the client back to normal life.
Addressing Triggers/Activating Events
There are often sights, sounds, or other stimuli that will cause individuals with trauma to experience those memories again. Treatment programs aim to address these triggers and help clients safely process them.
Process Trauma Healthily
Through various treatment modalities, like exposure therapy, teens will face their trauma and work to process the situation constructively.
Develop Coping Mechanisms
There can be lingering effects of trauma. Most treatment programs will teach clients various healthy coping mechanisms they can use when something reminds them of their trauma.
Find Purpose and Meaning
One of the key goals of treatment at Nexus Teen Academy is to help teens restore purpose and find meaning in their lives. Establishing this will lead to better, long-term treatment outcomes.
Adolescent Trauma Residential Treatment Centers in Arizona
If left untreated, teen trauma can lead to serious developmental and behavioral health problems and, ultimately, cause teen PTSD. At Nexus, we offer inpatient trauma treatment for teens at our Arizona locations. We have a girl-only treatment program at our Mesquite Location and a male-only treatment program at our Oak Location.
Our Teen Trauma Therapy Program
Nexus Teen Academy is a 30 to 90-day trauma treatment program offering 24/7 care to teens. During treatment, clients will go through various forms of therapy, as well as holistic and experiential treatment programming, to address this trauma as well as any overlapping mental health conditions. Our mental health program for teens in Arizona is led by a team of mental health and addiction experts who have an array of clinical experience helping teens and adults overcome these challenges.
At Nexus, we will work to help your teen overcome teen trauma and PTSD, as well as screen for and treat various other health disorders, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance Abuse
- Suicidal Ideation and more
Trauma Treatment for Teens at Nexus Teen Academy
If you believe that your teen has been exposed to a traumatic event, contact our team at Nexus Teen Academy. At Nexus, we have the clinical expertise to help you and your loved one work to overcome these problems and any underlying issues accompanying them.
At our teen trauma treatment program in Arizona, we offer a beautiful and secluded location that is perfect for helping your child work through these problems in a safe and comfortable environment.
To learn more about how our residential teen trauma center in Arizona can help you, call our expert team today, and we will walk you through the process.
Private Insurance Plans Accepted
Teen Trauma FAQs
Can You Overcome Teen Trauma?
Teen trauma can be overcome. However, many individuals will wait until adulthood before seeking the help they need. If you notice a problem in yourself or your teen, seek a healthcare provider as soon as possible and get the treatment process started today, there is no benefit to waiting.
How Do Parents Help Teens With Trauma?
Parents can help by ensuring that their children’s basic needs are met, giving them an outlet to talk about their feelings, and paying close attention to changes in behaviors or emotions. If the problem turns serious, it is best to seek the help of a professional treatment program.