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Teen Trauma: Signs, Effects, & Treatment Options

Teen Trauma - Signs Effects Treatment Options

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.

What is 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

Trauma in Teenagers

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 & Effects 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 in your loved one you may be able to get treatment before the problem intensifies into a 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. If you notice that your loved one 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 treatment used to help individuals overcome trauma 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, trauma can lead to several problems that may follow your loved one through life. At Nexus, we have residential trauma treatment programs for teens at our Cave Creek, Arizona location.

Our Teen Trauma Therapy Program

Nexus Teen Academy has 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 address underlying trauma and screen for other mental health disorders, such as:

  • PTSD
  • Anxiety
  • Substance Abuse
  • Suicidal Ideation and more

We understand that your loved one is the most important thing in the world for you, and we want to ensure that you and your family feel part of the healing process. To enable this, we offer virtual family group therapy on Wednesday evenings for parents, and family sessions and visits are scheduled weekly on the weekends.

Trauma Treatment for Teens at Nexus Teen Academy

Nexus Teen Academy Logo

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.

Teen Trauma FAQs

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.

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.

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