Childhood trauma is a widespread issue that continues to affect many people throughout their lifetime. Until recently, most studies on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have focused on the trauma of distinct or acute life events, such as combat exposure or natural disasters. Now we’re starting to understand more about emotional trauma that stems from relationships with caregivers and difficult experiences.

Traumatic experiences don’t always result in PTSD. However, the number of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) a person has is a good predictor of the likelihood that they’ll develop trauma symptoms. ACEs are negative experiences that happen between the ages of 1 and 17 years. Emotional abuse, parental separation or divorce, and household substance abuse are some of the most common ACEs people experience, but there are many other possible ACEs.

No parent wants their child to go through life carrying a burden of traumatic stress. Learning how to support your teen and helping them get effective treatment can make a world of difference, both in the short term and in their adult life. This article outlines the ways trauma can affect your teen’s mental health and explains why group therapy is so effective for teens.

How can I better understand and support my teen with their trauma?

Helping your teen recover from traumatic experiences begins with building trust through good conversations. A good first skill to work on is active listening with nonjudgment. You’ll need to talk with your teen about setting healthy boundaries and ways to protect themselves from future harm. And eventually, you can approach the topic of finding effective treatment.

Your teen will need a broad support system that includes a few important relationships. Parents and caregivers are critical, but you shouldn’t do this alone. They’ll need a therapist or a clinical care team with experience in treating childhood trauma. Your teen’s peers will also be instrumental in helping them develop perspective, resilience and self-compassion.

9 ways trauma can affect your teen’s mental health

Traumas that happen during adolescent and teen years are particularly complex because of the physiological, social and emotional developments people go through at this age. High amounts of stress and behaviors aimed at avoiding reminders of traumatic experiences are common with PTSD and complex trauma. Teens may experience cognitive difficulties like problems with concentration and short-term memory because of traumatic stress.

There are far too many possible symptoms of childhood trauma to list them all here; most of them stem from fear, shame and guilt surrounding their experiences. Often, childhood trauma results in intense emotions, a distorted sense of self, and unhealthy relationships. Some will become overly dependent on others because of their trauma, and others may tend to self-isolate and become hyperindependent. Teens who have experienced trauma are more likely to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance use and eating disorders. Some will have thoughts of self-harm and suicide.

There is hope for teens who are experiencing post-traumatic stress, whether their symptoms are mild or severe. Acknowledging your child’s trauma early on and supporting them in their treatment will greatly improve their chances of better treatment outcomes. With support from caregivers, therapists and peers, teens can process their experiences in healthy ways. They can learn to love and accept themselves, cultivate healthy relationships, and live an authentic, meaningful life.

Early exposure to trauma can have the following effects on teenagers:

1. Lower self-esteem
2. Pessimism and distrust of others
3. Unhealthy attachments
4. Self-isolation
5. Panic attacks
6. Anxiety and phobias
7. Depression
8. Cognitive difficulties
9. Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

How can group therapy help my teen?

Many parents feel like their teens are more likely to take things to heart when they hear them from a peer or someone they look up to. That can be true for kids with and without trauma. But what makes peer support groups so powerful is that other childhood trauma survivors have a perspective that no adult can share. Processing their experiences and learning about mental health alongside other teens ultimately helps them feel less alone.

Peer support groups and group therapy can help your teen in several ways:

• A safe space for processing — Talking about problems and concerns in a supportive group setting can help make them seem less overwhelming. 

• Validation — It’s often more powerful for teens to feel seen and heard by peers who understand them than by an adult mentor or therapist.

• Helpful feedback — Other teens can offer insightful and practical feedback for your teen to consider. That said, there are rules and guidelines for how group participants are allowed to respond.

• Perspective and hope — Hearing about other teens’ firsthand experiences and their progress can show your teen that true healing is possible.

You’re taking the most important step by learning about teenage trauma and your role as a caregiver in helping your child heal. When your family is ready to join a community of childhood trauma survivors, we’ll be here for you. Each program at Embrace U includes peer support groups for both patients and their families.

Have questions about talking with your child or navigating treatment? Contact our team today.