Impact of Trauma on Teens & Young Adults: Signs, Symptoms, & Tips for Support
Teenagers and young adults face a multitude of challenges as they navigate through the teen years and young adulthood. Trauma is an experience that can have a profound impact on their emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
Trauma can be experienced in many different forms, from cyberbullying to sexual assault and beyond. Trauma can have lasting effects on a person's ability to function in daily life.
In this blog post, we will explore the impact of trauma on teenagers and young adults, the signs and symptoms parents should look out for, and the tips to cope with these challenges.
Examples of Trauma
Trauma can take on many forms and can affect people differently. Some examples of trauma that teenagers and young adults may experience include:
Cyberbullying
With the growing rise of the internet, cyberbullying has become a common form of trauma. Cyberbullying can be defined as the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending threatening messages or posting harmful images online. This can lead to emotional distress, depression, and anxiety.
Physical Assault
Physical assault can leave a lasting impact on a person. It can lead to serious physical injuries and emotional trauma. Physical assault can include any form of violence, including witnessing domestic violence, witnessing a car crash, or school violence.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a traumatic experience that can leave long-lasting effects on a person's mental health and well-being. It can cause feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety, and depression.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires, can cause physical and emotional trauma. These traumatic experiences can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Signs and Symptoms Parents Should Look Out For
Trauma affects people differently, and it is important for parents to look out for any signs or symptoms that their teenager or young adult may have experienced trauma. Some common signs to look out for include:
Changes in behavior
If a teenager or young adult has experienced trauma, they may show signs of withdrawal, aggression, or agitation.
Difficulty sleeping
Trauma can lead to difficulties sleeping, including nightmares and insomnia.
Changes in mood
Trauma can cause mood swings, irritability, and depression.
Avoidance behaviors
People who have experienced trauma may avoid certain places, people, or situations that remind them of their traumatic experience.
Physical symptoms
Trauma can manifest in physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, and fatigue.
According to Research
There is a considerable body of research that supports the impact of trauma on teenagers and young adults. A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that teenagers and young adults who had experienced interpersonal violence were more likely to experience depression and anxiety.
Another study published in JAMA Pediatrics also found that teenagers or young adults who experienced cyberbullying were more likely to experience depression and suicidal thoughts.
Helpful Tips to Cope with Trauma
Trauma can have a long-lasting impact on a person's mental and emotional well-being, but there are steps teenagers and young adults can take to cope with these challenges. Here are some helpful tips to consider:
Talk to someone
It is essential for those who have experienced trauma to talk to a trusted adult or counselor about what happened.
Practice self-care
Taking care of oneself by getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and engaging in physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Seek professional help
Seeking professional help from a counselor specializing in trauma treatment can be beneficial to teenagers and young adults dealing with the effects of trauma.
Teen Therapy for Teenagers Struggling with Trauma
Teen therapy can be a valuable tool for teenagers struggling with emotional challenges related to trauma. Counselors specializing in teen therapy can work with teenagers to help them understand their feelings and cope with their trauma.
At Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling, our counselors specialize in trauma therapy and PTSD treatment teenagers and young adults.
Wrapping it Up
Trauma is a significant challenge for teenagers and young adults, and it can have a long-lasting impact on their mental and emotional well-being. It is helpful for parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of trauma to support their teenager or young adult.
Building a support network and practicing self-care can also help individuals cope with the effects of trauma and enhance their overall well-being.
Seeking professional help from counselors specializing in trauma treatment and PTSD therapy may be beneficial for those struggling with emotional challenges related to trauma.
Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling: Specializing in Trauma Therapy & PTSD Treatment in Sugar Land, TX & Houston
The effects of trauma can devastating for teens and young adults. The impact on their self-worth and self-esteem can leave them with feelings of guilt and shame that go on to create other emotional challenges.
At Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling, located in Sugar Land, TX, our therapists specialize in teen therapy, young adult counseling, and family therapy. We also specialize in trauma therapy and PTSD treatment. We are conveniently located off of US 90 and Dairy Ashford Road.
We also have our Katy, TX location, Katy Teen & Family Counseling, which is located right off of I-10 and Grand Parkway/Hwy 99 in Katy, TX.
If you are ready to meet with one of our teen therapists or young adult therapists, all you need to do is follow these three simple steps:
Contact Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling
Talk with one of our caring therapists
Begin the healing process today!
Other Therapy and Counseling Services Offered at Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling
At Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling, we provide a variety of therapy approaches that are supported by research and shown to be effective. Some of the teen therapy and young adult counseling we offer are:
Board Certified Neurofeedback Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy)
Group Therapy for Teens
Teen Depression
Teen Anxiety
Teen Social Anxiety
Teen Panic Attacks
Body Image
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling
Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling can be very effective. The secret ingredient to success is each person willing to look at themselves and work to do things differently, together. When a marriage counselor or couples therapist has this to work with, the success rate can be very high.
Sometimes life will throw challenges at us that create situations that put strain on our marriage or relationship. It may be due to:
Choices and actions that have been made by one partner.
Financial downturn in the economy creating financial strain.
Feeling like you're growing apart.
Feeling like you don't have as much in common as you used to.
Whatever the reason may be, marriage counseling and couples therapy can help. Couples therapy and marriage counseling has also been found to work in less time than individual therapy.
If you've worked hard for this relationship and find that there are now barriers in the way of maintaining a healthy relationship, contact us at Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling.
