What Causes PTSD In Teenagers? Signs, Symptoms, And Treatment
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Does your teenager seem to be experiencing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? There are many aspects of a teenager’s life that could lead to events that cause the development of PTSD symptoms. The most important way to support your teenager through this experience is typically by finding them the professional help they need to cope with their symptoms. Here, we’ll cover some common signs and symptoms of PTSD in teens along with treatment options for individuals in this age group.
What is post-traumatic stress disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness that can develop in someone who has witnessed or experienced a traumatic event(s). These experiences can cause symptoms that interfere with a person’s functioning and cause distress in their daily life.
PTSD symptoms in teens
Age plays a role in the symptoms of PTSD a person might experience. Depending on their age, a teen might have some symptoms that adults commonly do and some that children commonly do. Regardless, if your teenager is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, you're likely going to notice changes in their behavior and emotions. If your teen has gone through a traumatic experience, it can be important to watch for any of these changes. Keep in mind that your teen may also experience trauma you are unaware of.
Common PTSD symptoms in young people include avoidance of situations that remind them of the trauma, nightmares or flashbacks about the trauma, nervousness and anxiousness, emotional numbness, difficulty focusing in school, and impulsive or aggressive actions.
Any or all of these symptoms could be signs that your child has experienced trauma and is experiencing PTSD as a result. Even if you are unsure if there has been trauma in your child's life, it can be important to talk with a doctor and/or a mental health professional if you notice any of these types of behaviors in your child. Untreated PTSD symptoms can result in more significant mental health conditions later in life, so early PTSD diagnosis and intervention can be crucial.
Potential causes of PTSD in teens
Teenagers can experience the same traumatic events that an adult can, and such events can affect teenagers in many ways. Violent physical or sexual assault, including rape or sexual abuse, is one common cause of PTSD among this age group. Teens who have witnessed an assault or its aftermath or those who know someone who has been assaulted could also experience trauma and PTSD as a result.
Acts of violence like bullying or school shootings as well as natural disasters and serious car accidents are other examples of situations that could result in PTSD. Children who grow up in combat zones or who have experienced war or violence within their community or near their home could develop PTSD as well.
Finally, youth who sustain a life-threatening injury, are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, or are close to someone in this situation may experience PTSD. Whether or not a person develops PTSD symptoms will depend on many factors, including their personality type, genetics, a supportive social network, and many other factors.
Seeking support for a teen with PTSD symptoms
If you notice unusual behavior in your teen that might indicate a mental health condition like PTSD—even if you are unaware of any specific trauma your child has experienced—it's recommended that you connect them with a mental health professional who is experienced in working with their age group. It's possible that they experienced trauma that they aren't telling you about or that they don't fully understand as a traumatic experience. Speaking with a mental health professional can allow them to express themselves in a space where they feel safe and communicate their thoughts and feelings so they can start processing what they went through.
Once you connect your child with a mental health professional, the provider may recommend different types of PTSD treatment. Therapy is usually a first-line treatment for PTSD, and medication may be prescribed for older teenagers and young adults in some cases as well. Be sure to consult with your child’s doctor before starting them on, stopping, or changing any medication.
Therapy for PTSD could take the form of cognitive processing therapy, exposure therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), as a few examples. These types of therapy could help your teenager work through what they witnessed or experienced and better comprehend their thoughts and feelings related to the traumatic event.
Medication is often used in conjunction with other types of therapy because it can help ease some PTSD symptoms in some cases. Those who experience anxiety or depression as part of their experience with PTSD, for example, may find medication helpful. These medications may also make it easier to talk to a therapist about the experiences they had and to understand what it's going to take to work through it all.
Getting support as a parent or caregiver
Supporting your child through mental health challenges can be difficult. You might feel guilt, sadness, anger, and frustration at what happened to them, and you may also be confused or overwhelmed when it comes to how to cope with their symptoms and best support them. In addition to reaching out for mental health support for your child, you might also find it useful to seek mental health support for yourself. A therapist can offer you a safe place to express your own emotions and receive care and guidance.
If you have a busy schedule or are unable to commute to regular in-person appointments for another reason, you might find online therapy to be a more convenient option. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with remotely from the comfort of home or anywhere you have internet. Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy in many cases.
Takeaway
PTSD is a mental health condition that can affect children, teenagers, and adults alike, though symptoms may present somewhat differently in each age group. Some examples of traumatic events that could potentially cause PTSD in a teenager include sexual assault, violence at home, in their neighborhod, or at school, or a serious accident or illness. Seeking support from a mental health care provider for signs of PTSD in your child is typically paramount, and you might also seek mental health support for yourself during the process.
Is post-traumatic stress disorder common in adolescence?
Adolescence is a time of significant emotional, cognitive, and social development, and exposure to traumatic events during this period can have a lasting impact on mental health. PTSD occurs in an estimated 5% of adolescents aged 13-18. Within this age group, common causes of this condition are abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence within the home.
Do I have PTSD or trauma?
Trauma can manifest in various ways, and its effects can impact your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being. If you've experienced a distressing event or series of events, it may be a good idea to reach out to a mental health professional to discuss your experiences and feelings. They can help you understand your symptoms, provide a diagnosis if needed, and create a tailored treatment plan to address your specific needs.
Only a mental health professional can diagnose you after a traumatic event. They will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual to determine if your symptoms are consistent with PTSD or another mental health condition. Generally speaking, PTSD always involves trauma, either as a single traumatic event or as a series of events over time, although not all trauma creates a post-traumatic stress disorder.
How can you tell if a child has PTSD?
Recognizing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms for children can be challenging, as their symptoms might differ from those seen within adults. Children might have difficulty understanding and expressing their emotions. If you suspect a child might have post-traumatic stress disorder, it's essential to consult a mental health professional for an accurate assessment and diagnosis
If you suspect a child may be experiencing this condition, it's recommended to consult a mental health professional, such as a child psychologist or psychiatrist, who specializes within the fields of trauma and child mental health.
What age has the most post-traumatic stress disorder?
PTSD doesn’t typically correlate to any particular age group, anyone at any age may experience PTSD. This condition is caused by traumatic events that happen to a person, as such, it can occur at any time in a person’s life. However, it may present with one set of signs and symptoms for younger individuals and other signs for older individuals. Factors such as living within a war-torn country, experiencing abuse, or even a car accident may all impact the age when a person develops this condition.
What is the youngest age for post-traumatic stress disorder?
There is no youngest age for PTSD and individuals of any age may develop PTSD. However, diagnosing this condition within very young children can be challenging due to their limited ability to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Symptoms within young children might be expressed differently compared to adults and older children.
Children's responses to trauma can vary widely, and not all children who experience traumatic events will develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
How can I tell if I'm traumatized?
Recognizing if you're experiencing trauma can be complex, as trauma can manifest in various ways and affect people differently. Here are some signs that might indicate you are traumatized:
- Intrusive Thoughts
- Avoidance
- Hyperarousal
- Negative Changes in Mood
- Changes in Beliefs and Thoughts
- Feeling Detached
- Physical Symptoms
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