PTSD Professional Perspective: Helping PTSD Teens
Friday, January 22nd, 2010 • PTSD Guest Post: Professional Perspective •
We don’t often think about what happens to adolescents with PTSD. I was one of those teens so this population is close to my heart. Today, a guest post with insight into how to help those kids struggling with the heavy weight of post-traumatic stress symptoms. In fact, some of the facts and advice apply to all us, regardless of age!
Defining PTSD in Teens
Post-traumatic stress disorder has several symptoms associated with it. Basically, a teen that has PTSD will persistently experience anxiety and depression due to a psychological traumatic event. Events such as rape, abuse, natural disasters such as earthquakes, gang violence or a car crash can lead to PTSD. In addition, certain personalities, attitudes and biochemical reactions to stress can make a teen more likely to develop stress disorders that lead to PTSD.
According to research, PTSD lasts about 3 years on average if treatment is sought and five years without treatment[i]. This is evidence that treatment for PTSD is critical to the emotional well-being of the individual who suffers from it. So how do you support a teen that has PTSD? It is important to remember that a teen with PTSD can create an atmosphere of greater distress than an adult. This is because adolescents are already dealing with several hormonal changes and a psychological disorder can accentuate any emotional disturbances already being experienced.
Studies show that family and social support are very critical and necessary in order for a teen to overcome PTSD. More specifically, supportive family members can assist sufferers in examining their impact on others. In addition, family support can create an environment of improved communication and problem solving skills. Further, it helps if a teen participates in social groups with other teens who are suffering from PTSD. Mutual support groups such as these share feelings, insight and deal with guilt about coming to terms with what some teens have done in order to survive and cope with PTSD.
Healing PTSD in Teens
Talking about feelings and reactions to events with others creates an open environment for expression as well as trust. Cognitive therapy is also a very effective treatment for PTSD. This type of therapy can help a teen bring out deep-seated beliefs and feelings about the event, come to terms with it and trust again.
Support comes in many forms. One important caveat to remember is to suspend judgment of a teen’s actions that have this disorder. Out of control behavior is typical and can be dangerous and this is why it is important to seek help right away. Teens with PTSD are prone to flashbacks and extreme negative behavior. Patience, openness, understanding, knowledge of PTSD and a belief that things can and will get better are all supportive attitudes and should be practiced on a regular basis.
I personally believe in the miracle of spiritual healing and therefore I always recommend some type of breathing exercise, prayer or meditation and even chakra or energy healing. This can especially help with the anxiety associated with PTSD. Spiritual support opens the door to greater peace of mind and a teen may be more likely to trust the process of healing. Teens that believe they have the option of giving their suffering over to a higher power for complete healing usually stay open to spiritual support for other stress-related situations.
Going Forward
As you can see there are many ways to support a teen with PTSD. The most important thing to remember is to believe that it doesn’t last forever and there are many options available to treat it. If you are suffering from PTSD, trust the process of healing and allow the loved ones in your life to stand beside you and offer their support.
Cicely Majeed is a trained behavior therapist, Social Psychologist in training, life coach for at-risk youth, fashion designer, author and motivational speaker. She is the founder and CEO of Cages 2 Wings, an organization that caters to the personal development of teenagers. Cicely has designed her own curriculum called t.h.i.n.k. which teaches teens to gain knowledge of self and use more brain power. Earlier this year, Cicely published her first spiritual book for teens called “Before the 2nd Set of Footprints”, which can be purchased on her website, online store or at Amazon.com. For more information about the t.h.i.n.k. program and other products and services, please visit her website at www.cages2wings.com.
The views expressed here are solely those of the author. To contribue to ”PTSD Professional Perspective” contact Michele.
[i] Ronald J. Comer, Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, 5th edition (New York: Worth Publishers, 2008), 139
Tags: Cicely Majeed, post-traumatic stress, ptsd, symptoms, teens
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Michelle this is great info – very insightful.
@Jo — I’m glad you find the info useful! PTSD info doesn’t often raise awareness for the teen population but if we help them sooner, there will be less PTSD adults!
hey um yeah so i am 15 and i have ptsd. its been getting worse over the past several weeks. I no your probably gonna say go talk to a therapist. but I CANT. due to the trauma… i have extremeeeeeeeeee trust issues. i cant even begin to start talking about the trauma… without getting a panic attack. what should i do?
JM, my daughter is 14 and she has PTSD, panic attacks, depression. I understand you don’t feel you can trust, but do find someone to talk to, preferably someone not emotionally involved in how you feel, like a guidance counsellor, teacher, therapist. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right person. if you like reading and you think self help would be useful, try this book: the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook by Glenn R. Schiraldi. I bought it on amazon, it’s not too expensive, or you could try the library. The beginning chapters are good at explaining what is happening to you when you have panic attacks. It’s good for family or friends who care about you to read too to understand what you are going through. I think part of healing is understanding what is happening, and maybe that will open the way to trusting someone to help you later. best wishes.
I am doing research on PTSD in teenagers and its effects on their performance levels.Can you help me please?