TEEN TRAUMA TREATMENT

Teen Trauma Treatment

The word trauma can be used to describe both an event that is traumatic and the after-effects of experiencing a traumatic event. Trauma can often have devastating and prolonged effects; whether the trauma was caused by an accident, by the loss of a loved one, abuse/neglect, chronic bullying, or a multitude of other interpersonal adverse events; we recognize that parents sometimes need assistance in helping their teen cope and heal from the trauma. In fact, research shows a connection between childhood stress, trauma, and health often linking these adverse traumatic and childhood events to increased risk of chronic health conditions and risky health behaviors later in life. Watching your child suffer from any trauma is not easy. You might feel helpless. Whatever your situation, the treatment programs at BasePoint Academy can help your teen work through traumatic events with help from family members along with a whole support system of qualified and caring professionals because when addressed early in teens, the long term effects of trauma can be reduced to avoid risk later in life.
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Learn The Facts About Teen Trauma

Knowing the signs and symptoms of teen trauma is vital as a parent. Early treatment can help your teen avoid experiencing the effects of the trauma indefinitely throughout their life. It’s also important to learn the facts and statistics surrounding mental health issues that arise from a traumatic event. Below are some staggering statistics for your information:

  • 61 percent of teenagers between 13 and 17 have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime
  • 19 percent of teenagers between 13 and 17 have experienced at least three traumatic events
  • Children and teens who have experienced some form of trauma are 15 times more likely to attempt suicide
  • Children and teens who have experienced trauma are four times more likely to inject drugs and/or become an alcoholic

As you can see, these statistics are scary. Let us help keep your teen from being part of those stats – seek assistance from qualified professionals as soon as you notice the signs and symptoms. Taking control of the trauma through treatment can help them live a full life free of a desire to escape reality through substance use or other risky behaviors.

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Causes of Teen Trauma & Statistics

Trauma occurs in 61 percent of teens between the ages of 13 to 17 at least once in their life, according to a new study. Sadly, the same studies show up to 19 percent of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 have experienced at least three traumatic events in their lifetime. Trauma experienced by teens may stem from the following events:

  • Accidents
  • Witness to a horrific accident
  • Emotional distress caused by changes in the family dynamic, changes in their environment, or other unexpected events.
  • Sexual assault
  • Experiencing or witnessing physical violence
  • Natural disaster
  • Abuse/Neglect
  • Domestic Violence
  • Chronic Bullying

Common Warning Signs Your Teen Has Experienced Trauma

Trauma takes many different forms when exhibited as symptoms by your teenager. That’s why it is important to learn the signs and seek treatment programs like those offered at BasePoint Academy as soon as these signs start showing. Intervening in the effects of trauma early in life can help reduce the risk of mental illness later in life. Some warning signs may include the following:
  • Anxiety and worry
  • Trepidation and fear
  • Angry outbursts and uncontrollable rage
  • Avoiding people, places, and anything else associated with a traumatic event
  • Extensive grief
  • Guilt that paralyzes the teen
  • Feelings of nothingness and numbness
  • Changes in sleep patterns and habits
  • Night terrors
  • Struggles with depression
  • Marked shift in the relationship with parents and peers
  • Increased involvement in risky behaviors
  • Development of negative self esteem
  • Struggles to identify the difference in  feeling safe and being safe

Panic Attacks Caused by Teen Trauma

It’s not uncommon for a teenager to suffer panic attacks directly related to the trauma they experienced. Whether your teen suffered or was witness to abuse, an accident, or any other type of trauma; a panic attack is an involuntary physical reaction that can arise in response to being reminded of or having to face the cause of their trauma-we call these events triggers. Panic attacks can be interpreted as different medical issues so it’s important to correctly identify them so the right treatment can follow. When experiencing a panic attack, teens may show some or all of the following symptoms:

  • Tightening of the chest
  • Rapid, pounding heart
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stomach pain or cramping
  • Nausea
  • Loss of balance
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Hot flashes or chills
  • Feeling faint, lightheaded, or dizzy

The symptoms of a panic attack typically dissipate soon after the attack has ended, but most people live with the fear of having another attack, which can be crippling on an emotional and physical level. This fear can make it very difficult for the healing process to begin and often leads to more emotional obstacles for the teen.

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Treating Trauma in Teens

In order for your teen to begin the healing process, its important to take the first step of making a visit to BasePoint Academy so we can work together to create a plan to manage the short and long-term effects of the trauma. A treatment program will be designed specifically for your teen and the traumatic event that they experienced. There are limited options for post-traumatic stress disorder treatments in Dallas, and BasePoint Academy is proud to offer a variety of treatment options and a team equipped to handle whatever your teen may have encountered.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavioral therapy teaches teens how to regulate their emotions and how to be mindful of what causes them to panic. DBT aims to help teens manage the painful emotions that might be associated with their trauma and learn to minimize the impact their unwanted feelings have on their overall well-being by implementing distress tolerance, mindful awareness, and emotion regulation skills and techniques. These are skills that our team encourages teens to use immediately and consistently as the increase in effectiveness strengthens with time over the course of our program.

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Your trauma is not your fault, but your healing Is your responsibility.

– Peter A. Levine

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches the teen how to identify the negative thoughts and emotions that bring on stress and anxiety; these cognitive distortions tend to control how teens respond to situations which often leads to avoidant behaviors prolonging the healing process. By identifying these negative thoughts and emotions, teens learn to develop more balanced, beneficial ways of thinking which enables teens to process their trauma in a controlled manner and enables them to confront, rather than avoid, their distress. As teens are educated throughout treatment about common trauma reactions the teens are empowered to manage their stress and anxiety in healthier ways.

Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma impacts an individual’s ability to cope, trust, and form healthy relationships and can impair new learning and concentration. A teen’s ability to self-sooth or maintain emotion regulation is often disrupted after experiencing a traumatic event which can lead to prolonged difficulty identifying what is safe versus unsafe. Trauma informed care is about ensuring all individuals feel physically, psychologically and emotionally safe, are noticed and listened to, and are given a voice. By providing a safe environment, options for treatment, empowering the teens by emphasizing their strengths, collaborating with a multidisciplinary treatment team and building trust by providing clear and consistent information, BasePoint Academy ensures that all staff take a trauma-informed approach when working with the teens in our program.

Additional Trauma Treatment Methods

There usually isn’t just one solution when it comes to helping a teen recover after experiencing a traumatic event. We employ multiple therapeutic disciplines alongside the previously mentioned clinical treatment options. The right treatment program for your teen could include the following:

  • Art therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Medication management
  • Family therapy
  • Wellness
  • Journaling
  • Reality therapy
  • Solution-focused

Schedule a Consultation at BasePoint Academy for Your Teen Today

The experienced team at BasePoint Academy is dedicated to providing our clients with a safe and comfortable environment to manage their anxiety, stress, PTSD, and other disorders. Learning how to cope after experiencing trauma can play a major role in your teen’s future. Call us today to schedule a consultation with our team. Together, we will build the right treatment program so your teen can experience physical, mental, and emotional healing – and allow them to just be a teen.
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