Teen Trauma Treatment Program

Traumatic experiences aren’t just a challenge; they are intense, often overwhelming experiences that can lead to anxiety, stress, and, in more severe cases, PTSD. Without the proper support, whether parental or professional, long-lasting issues may develop, potentially leading to further mental health challenges.

In addition to this support, it is vital for teens who have experienced trauma to receive teen trauma treatment as early as possible. Prompt intervention can prevent trauma from escalating into PTSD, lessen its psychological impact, and provide teens with the essential skills they need to manage their emotions and start the healing process.

At Ridge RTC, we’re not just tackling teen trauma—we’re redefining how it’s understood and treated. Our approach centers on recognizing the unique intensity with which teens experience life and emotions. This insight is pivotal, as it shapes our teen trauma treatment modalities and processes that connect profoundly and genuinely with adolescents. Learn more about our teen trauma treatment center below, as well as why it’s essential to seek out targeted treatment for teen PTSD and other disorders rooted in trauma.

TEEN PTSD: WHAT IS IT?

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a severe anxiety disorder brought on by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. PTSD can be both emotionally and physically destructive and, depending on the circumstances, could become life-threatening.

As many as 43% of young people will experience at least one traumatic event, such as childhood trauma, generational trauma, domestic violence, bullying, tragic accidents, or natural disasters. This won’t always result in PTSD, but when it does, specially-focused adolescent trauma therapy is a must.

PTSD can greatly impact a teen’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, causing intense feelings and unsettling thoughts to arise long after the traumatic event occurred. Flashbacks, deep sadness, nightmares, fear, and intense anger are common side effects of PTSD, and teens and others with this condition will typically avoid locations, situations, and even people that remind them of the event.

Why Your Teenager May Be Dealing With PTSD

Today’s teens struggle with many types of situations that could cause PTSD. This includes an increase in mass shootings and natural disasters, as well as high rates of sexual abuse and on- and offline bullying. Many teens suffered significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well.

Unfortunately, violent and distressing events can happen anywhere and at any time. If your child experiences or witnesses these events, they could develop a severe anxiety reaction that progresses into PTSD. PTSD can also further develop into (or be experienced alongside) other mental health issues, such as depression.

There’s also a family component. While trauma is the definitive cause of PTSD in teenagers and young adults, a genetic history of anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health conditions may increase the risk. The same is true for a family history of repeated child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse – all of which are examples of developmental trauma that can result in a later PTSD diagnosis.

What Are the Different Types Of PTSD?

In order to be effective, trauma therapy for teens needs to address the specific type of PTSD that a young person is dealing with. The four main classes of PTSD that teens may develop are:

Acute Stress Disorder. At times deemed a forerunner to PTSD, acute stress disorder is characterized by symptoms of intense stress and emotional recollection lasting less than a month.

Acute Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is where PTSD symptoms occur for less than three months.

Chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is where a person experiences PTSD symptoms for longer than three months. “Chronic” used in this instance means that the symptoms are long-lasting – not that they will necessarily be around forever.

Delayed-Onset Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is where the symptoms of PTSD do not show up until a long time has passed, usually several years. With this type of PTSD, symptoms typically last for longer than six months.

DOES YOUR CHILD NEED ADOLESCENT TRAUMA THERAPY? SYMPTOMS OF PTSD TO LOOK OUT FOR

PTSD symptoms may dramatically inhibit a teen’s daily and wreak havoc on a teen’s ability to function properly, causing considerable problems with relationships, social situations, and schooling.

The symptoms of PTSD usually appear within a month of the triggering event, but sometimes, years pass before symptoms begin to show. These symptoms can fall under four main categories: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms vary with each person, and the type and intensity depend on the root cause. That being said, teen trauma treatment may benefit any young person experiencing these types of unwanted feelings and behaviors.

Common symptoms of PTSD in teenagers can include:

TEEN TRAUMA DISORDERS: TREATMENT METHODS

Teen PTSD treatment can be tricky, given that different teens respond to treatment in various ways. However, specialists well-versed in trauma therapy for teens will make sure that treatment plans are individualized and properly address a teen or young adult’s unique trauma, triggers, and challenges.

A therapist specializing in teen trauma disorders treatment will focus primarily on helping a patient define their trauma and alleviate its symptoms. This is generally done through intense psychotherapy. Medication is not usually recommended as a teen trauma treatment, though it does have its uses.

Some therapeutic methods that are used to treat PTSD in teens are: