Adolescent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment in Texas
What is Adolescent PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can affect individuals of all ages, including adolescents, in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.
If your child is displaying signs of PTSD, don’t wait to see a specialist. Families in Texas can contact Texas Counseling, PLLC to schedule a consultation with Teresa Thompson, LCSW. Give us a call at 830-730-6026 or request an appointment through our secure online form.
PTSD and Teens
The teenage years with rapid physical, emotional, and social changes, can be particularly vulnerable to traumatic experiences that may lead to the development of PTSD.
PTSD can be caused by a wide range of traumatic experiences. These experiences overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope.
How is it Classified as PTSD?
A traumatic event is typically an event that results in or threatens death or injury. A tragedy is defined as an event or circumstance that creates intense distress or sadness.
A single traumatic event is called acute trauma and may include:
- car accidents
- natural disasters
- loss of a parent
- violent incidents
- negative experience with a friend family member
- witnessing a school or public shooting
- life-threatening situation
Ongoing traumatic events are called chronic trauma and may include:
- sexual abuse
- exposure to childhood abuse
- domestic violence
- gang violence
Both acute and chronic trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in teens.
How Long Does PTSD Last?
Traumatic stress can last days, weeks, or months following the event.
For stress to be considered PTSD, symptoms must last more than a month and be severe enough to interfere with daily functioning.
The impact of trauma during adolescence can be profound, influencing the developing brain and shaping long-term mental health.
How Do I Know If I Have PTSD?
PTSD symptoms in teens include the following:
- Intrusive thoughts or memories of the traumatic event
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Panic attacks
- Confusion and inability to make decisions
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Finding it hard to enjoy activities that were once pleasurable
- Irritable or aggressive behavior
- Changes in mood
- Emotional numbness
- Constantly feeling on edge
- Avoiding people, places, or situations that trigger memories of the traumatic event
- Difficulty focusing
- Suicidal thoughts
Some of these symptoms may overlap with depression and anxiety, so it is important to seek professional help.
It is crucial for parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals to be vigilant in recognizing these signs, as early intervention can significantly improve outcomes.
Treatment For Adolescent PTSD
Addressing adolescent PTSD requires an integrated approach. If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, get help right away.
Your mental health specialist will work with you to find a solution that works for you.
Treatment typically includes
- Controlling internal and external triggers
- External – such as certain places, people, situations, smells, sounds, or objects that remind you of the trauma
- Internal – thoughts, emotions, and even physical sensations associated with the experience
- Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Somatic, or Body-based, Therapy
- Play therapy, used to treat young children with PTSD who are not able to deal with the trauma directly
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- To help individuals process and cope with traumatic memories
- Medication
- To alleviate symptoms such as anxiety and depression
- Comprehensive Resource Model
- A new approach using elements of psychology, spirituality, neurobiology, and body-based (somatic) techniques
Get Help
For adolescents with PTSD, it can be a struggle with daily functioning and relationships. Treatment for PTSD in teens can make a big difference. Sometimes stigma or fear can prevent a teen from asking for help, so adults can be aware and involved. Parents and other adults need to monitor teens carefully after a traumatic event. Creating a safe and empathetic environment where adolescents feel heard and understood can significantly contribute to their healing.
Schools, too, play a crucial role in providing a supportive atmosphere and implementing trauma-informed practices to accommodate the unique needs of affected students.
Creating a culture that promotes open communication about mental health reduces stigma and encourages early intervention.
Contact Texas Counseling, PLLCl for a consultation today. Give us a call at 830-730-6026 or request an appointment through our secure online form.