Signs of Trauma in Teens and How to Help Them Get Over It

Understanding Teen Trauma

More than you may think. Teens are exposed to trauma quite frequently: indirect or direct victimization (such as bullying, physical or sexual abuse, or a car accident), emotional abandonment or physical abuse, or exposure to shocking or frightening events (such as a fire or a tragedy).

Trauma is commonly considered both an emotional and physical response to any kind of event (or events) that has affected a teen and made them feel terror, horror, and helplessness. An acute trauma is a one-time, time-limited traumatic event. Chronic trauma is repeated traumatic events.

Examples of trauma include:

• Abandonment
• Physical, sexual or emotional abuse
• Harassment and bullying
• A traumatic grief such as the loss of a brother, sister, or parent.
• “Domestic” or family violence.
• Community violence
• Injuries
• A medical trauma
• A catastrophic natural event
• Traumatically caused grief
• Criminal acts of violence politically, ideologically, or religiously.
• Interpersonal victimization (for example, assault and rape).
• Racism or bias-related trauma 
• Refugee status
• A serious injury from an accident
• Abandonment
• Emotional abuse

PTSD and Traumatic Experiences

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often mistaken as trauma, but they are not the same. Trauma is an emotional response to a toxic experience that feels like an overwhelming threat. It can occur one time or repeatedly. You can experience more than one form of trauma. Most teens are resilient and will recover and “get over” a traumatic event without lingering symptoms.

But about 5% of adolescents who experience trauma may develop disorders such as PTSD when their brain and body are overwhelmed and cannot adapt. PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that occurs following the experience or witnessing of a life-threatening or highly stressful traumatic event.

Generally speaking, PTSD can follow any traumatic event a teen might have experienced, but not all traumatic experiences lead to PTSD which is something we need to consider when looking for help for our teens because PTSD is trauma that is not being processed correctly. The way we differentiate PTSD from trauma is by looking at the intensity and duration of the symptoms differentiate.

An increasing number of teenagers are experiencing traumatic events. Studies indicate that between 15% and 43% of girls and 14% and 43% of boys experience at least one traumatic event. Between 3% to 15% of girls and 1% to 6% of boys who have experienced trauma will develop PTSD. Certain types of trauma survivors have an increased likelihood of experiencing PTSD.

Symptoms of Trauma in Teens

Sometimes symptoms don’t show up for several months after the event including:

• Grief response 3 to 6 months later
• Fascination with death
• Obsessed with safety
• Sudden problems with sleeping, eating, anger or attention
• Triggered by things like the birthday of someone who died
• Continue to refuse to go to school because that is where the upsetting event happened

Some of the symptoms of trauma closely mimic depression, including:

• Too much or too little sleep
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Unexplained irritability and anger
• Problems focusing on projects, school work, and conversation 

Sometimes the symptoms appear more like an anxiety disorder:

• Obsessive or constant worry
• Difficulty separating from parents

Signs of Trauma in Teens

It’s important to note that the trauma is not the event that happened, but the way that the child or youth experienced it. Trauma has many different signs, including:

Emotional and Behavioral Signs

• Nightmares
• Mood swings
• Social isolation and withdrawal
• Guilt and shame
• Irritability
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Decreased enthusiasm for formerly enjoyable activities.

Physical and Cognitive Signs

• Headaches or stomach aches
• Alteration in eating and sleeping routines
• Struggling to focus and recall information
• Decreasing academic achievement
• Easily startled
• Decreased enthusiasm for activities once enjoyed.
• Being on edge and highly alert

At times, it may take several months for symptoms to appear after the event has occurred. These may include:

• Grief response 3 to 6 months later
• Fascination with death
• Overly focused on ensuring safety
• Sudden problems with sleeping, eating, anger or attention
• Triggered by occasions such as the anniversary of the passing of a loved one
• Continue to refuse attending school due to an upsetting incident that occurred there.

There are symptoms of trauma that are very similar to those of depression, such as:

• Excessive or insufficient amounts of sleep
• Decreased desire to eat or excessive food consumption
• Unexplained feelings of irritation and rage
• Difficulties with concentrating on projects, school assignments, and conversations

Sometimes, the symptoms resemble those of an anxiety disorder.

• Persistent or continuous worry.
• Difficulty separating from parents

The Impact of Trauma on Teen Development

Children and youth are resilient; many can heal from a traumatic event without long-lasting symptoms. But, some develop disorders when their brains and bodies are overwhelmed and cannot cope. These disorders are called trauma related disorders, and can take many forms including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Trauma has a neurobiological effect on cognitive development and emotional and social behavior. In teens this may mean:

• Delays in development that affect executive functioning and impact judgment
• Risk-taking
• Long-term goal formation and follow through
• Abstract thinking for academic learning and problem-solving

So teens suffering from traumatic stress often display:

•  Reckless and risk-taking behavior
• “Living for today and not tomorrow” 
• Underachievement and school failure
• Making bad choices
• Using substances to cope

Teens also have emotional and social issues as they try to cope with traumatic events and make sense of them. This can also limit their ability to develop at a normal level for their age. Examples include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Difficulty focusing at school
• Developing relationships with peers
• Being able to take on risks and challenges that lead to growth

The longer traumatic stress is untreated, the more risk of developing negative behavior patterns and attitudes. 

How to Support a Teen Experiencing Trauma

Supporting a teen with trauma can be challenging for parents. Your teen may have strong emotional and physical reactions following a traumatic event, often with challenging behaviors. Provide a safe, supportive environment. Here are some suggestions:

• Most important is to maintain open, non-judgmental communication
• Help your teenager to gain perspective
• Understand and be patient with your teenager
• Be aware that trauma can change your teenager’s friendships
• Support them with school performance
• Maintain close communication with teachers
• Encourage your teenager to take action as a way to direct their feelings and energy
• Maintain your regular household routine, whenever possible
• Ensure your teen eats a healthy diet and gets enough sleep and exercise
• Show them you really care for them, are genuinely interested and enjoy being with them
• Do exercise, relaxation exercises and meditation together or separately
• Make time for fun family activities.

Strategies for Teens to Cope with Trauma

Developing healthy coping mechanisms is key for your teen’s recovery. Encourage physical activities like sports, dance and yoga to manage stress. Promote creative outlets like music, journaling, dance or art to express emotions.

Help them build resilience with mindfulness and relaxation techniques to relieve stress. Encourage strong family relationships with siblings or relatives.

Consider therapies such as:

• Experimental therapies like art therapy, adventure therapy, and music therapy allow transformation and growth through hands-on, real-life experiences that build self-confidence and trust.
• Somatic body therapy helps teenagers to release trauma and bring the nervous system to balance.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy teaches various skills that allow your teen to become self-aware and effectively manage difficult emotions and feelings.
• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy identifies the thought process related to trauma and helps teens reframe their experience.