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?? Symptoms of Traumatic Stress in Teens ??

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?? Teens maneuver through an increasingly complex world. They endure daily changes and challenges, both internally and externally, as they grow into adults. While teens are usually well equipped to handle these changes, they are still vulnerable to stress after unusually violent or threatening events. Teens who face life-threatening circumstances may develop a traumatic stress reaction. ??

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?? Common Causes of Traumatic Stress in Teens ??
?? A traumatic stress reaction can be induced by essentially any situation in which a teen's physical well-being or life is threatened. While teens are unlikely to endure the combat conditions that most people associate with traumatic stress, they are susceptible to several situations that often cause a traumatic stress reaction: ??

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• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
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• A natural disaster like a hurricane or fire
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• A serious accident, such as automobile accident
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• Witnessing a violent act, such as a robbery or school shooting
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• Receiving a life-threatening medical diagnosis
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• Long-term domestic strife
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?? Physical Symptoms of Traumatic Stress ??
?? The physical effects of traumatic stress can look much like typical teen behavior, but when many symptoms manifest following a traumatic event, a traumatic stress reaction could be occurring. ??

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• Fatigue
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• Being easily startled
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• Hyperactivity or heightened sensitivity
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• Headaches
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• Sweating
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• A change in eating patterns or gastrointestinal complaints
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• Forgetfulness
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• Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
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?? Emotional Symptoms of Traumatic Stress ??
?? Traumatic stress takes a significant toll on a teen's emotional state. The emotional reaction to stress is different for every teen. Like the physical symptoms, the emotional ones can be mistaken for signs of other problems. ??

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• Fear
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• Guilt
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• Anger
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• Anxiety
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• A sense of numbness or detachment
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• Reduced awareness
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• Helplessness or hopelessness
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?? Most people associate traumatic stress with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) first diagnosed among war veterans. Although teens may develop this disorder, most only suffer the milder traumatic stress reaction. The symptoms of PTSD include those of a traumatic stress reaction, coupled with intrusive symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks that interfere with daily life and continue for more than a month. ??

?? Treatment for Traumatic Stress ??
?? Generally a variety of therapies are used in conjunction with one another. Teens may undergo psychological debriefing, during which they explore the traumatic event through different venues like discussion or writing. Meanwhile, coping mechanisms like slow breathing are taught. While medication therapy may be used, this is usually not seen as a long-term solution to traumatic stress. ??

?? Teens who suffer traumatic stress respond best when multiple stakeholders participate in their recovery. It is important to enlist not only medical care professionals, but also clergy members or trusted teachers, to provide daily support and guidance. A sensitive, holistic approach is the best path for a teen’s recovery from traumatic stress. ??

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