According to a recent study conducted by King’s College, London (UK), at
least
1 in 13 teenagers
will experience PTSD. This shocking figure represents roughly 8 percent of
the population, making PTSD one of the more common mental health issues of
the modern era.
According to one of the authors of the study, Andrea Danese, “Trauma is
really a public health concern, it is very prevalent.” However, Danese then
goes on to explain that, even when healthcare is readily available, only a
small fraction of these individuals will go on to receive the mental health
treatments they need to recover.
PTSD—which stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—is likely one of the
most misunderstood mental health conditions in the Western World. Many
individuals, even some of those who are actively suffering from it, have no
idea that this condition even exists. Others may have a vague idea but fail
to recognize how common the condition is among people they interact with on
an everyday basis.
In this article, we will attempt to discuss the most important things for
you to know about the development of PTSD in teenagers. We will also
discuss some of the ways that you, as a parent, can have a positive impact
on those who are affected. By educating yourself about this condition and
further learning about some of its remedies, you can make a major
difference.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
is a mental health disorder that, broadly, can develop following an
individual’s exposure to traumatic events. There are many different events
that can trigger the onset of PTSD and these events may impact one person
much differently than they impact another.
PTSD is much different than the feeling of being “shaken up” that most
people experience after a car crash or other near-death experiences. While
this shaken feeling will normally subside in a day or two, individuals
suffering from PTSD will experience this feeling into the perpetual future.
Even when there is no external threat present, individuals who are
suffering from PTSD may feel anxious, physically distressed, and unable to
deal with the outside world.
Some people who have PTSD can go from behaving normally to quickly being
“triggered” by external stimuli. For example, an individual who has
developed PTSD as a consequence of verbal abuse may have a much more
sensitive “fight or flight” response whenever they hear someone yelling
(even if the yelling isn’t directed at them). In order to overcome PTSD and
avoid its many complications, it is important for treatment to begin early
on.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Only a licensed physician can diagnose the presence of PTSD—even if it
seems “obvious” that someone may have this condition, it is still a good
idea to meet with a doctor in order to ensure there is not a related or
another mental condition at play.
- PTSD has several notable symptoms:
- Disturbing thoughts, feelings, and dreams following a traumatic event
- Active mental or physical distress without a clear external cause
- Patterns of self-harm and attempted suicide
- Increased sensitivity, sudden violence, and the need to retreat from otherwise mundane situations
- Resistance to developing relationships or becoming close with others (especially if the PTSD is a result of sexual violence)
- Substance abuse disorders
Many individuals with PTSD will begin abusing substances in order to cope
with, deflect, or “numb” the intensity of their experiences. When this is
the case, most clinics will use a practice known as dual diagnosis in order to develop more effective treatment
options.
Typically, PTSD will not be diagnosed until the symptoms above have
persisted for at least one month. However, if your teen has begun to
demonstrate any of the symptoms mentioned above, you may want to consider
getting professional help.
What events can trigger PTSD?
PTSD is a very subjective condition. Multiple individuals can be
exposed to the same traumatic event (witnessing a terror attack, for
example) and while some individuals will rebound from this event quickly,
others will be traumatized for many years to come.
Some of the most common triggers of PTSD include:
- Rape, sexual assault, and other forms of sexual violence
- Verbal and physical abuse (especially if sustained over time)
- Exposure to violence, war, terror, death, and other related events
- Traffic collisions and various “near death” experiences
- Hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, fires, floods, and other natural disasters
- Events that are clearly linked to pain or the loss of a loved one
It is also possible for individuals to develop PTSD in response to events
that, to an outsider, do not appear particularly “traumatic” at all. In
order to develop an effective treatment plan, it will be absolutely
critical to identify all relevant triggers, related conditions, and
underlying causes.
What is the difference between “ordinary” PTSD and Complex PTSD?
Most cases of PTSD are a result of a single, traumatic event. However, some
cases emerge as a result of prolonged exposure to trauma. For
example, if a parent is consistently verbally abusive to their teen, the
development of PTSD may not be attributable to a single thing the parent
said or even a single period of time. When PTSD-like symptoms persist after
prolonged periods of exposure to trauma, this is known as
Complex PTSD.
There are many different things that can trigger the onset of Complex PTSD.
Consistent exposure to abuse (verbal, physical, sexual, etc.), childhood
neglect, and living in an area with high rates of violence or war can all
cause complex PTSD to begin to set in.
Complex PTSD can result in a unique set of complications that may not be
associated with ordinary PTSD. A general inability to trust others, a
consistently negative world view, and hyperarousal (continuously being on
“high alert”) are just a few of the behaviors you might notice in someone
whose been affected. Because many of these symptoms are ongoing and deeply
rooted, they may require more intensive treatment options in order to be
properly addressed.
What are the best treatment options for teens with PTSD?
Because PTSD affects a remarkable 8 percent of teenagers, there has been an
ongoing search for effective treatment options. Some of the most common
PTSD treatment options you’ll find include:
- Medication: most PTSD medications feature a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor, though this may vary if there are other medications or mental health issues at play.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): this form of individual therapy focuses on addressing underlying issues, knowing how to recognize triggers, and developing healthy coping mechanisms.
- Group Therapy: this form of therapy makes it possible for teens to bond and gain perspective from others with similar experiences.
- Experiential Treatment: having a productive outlet—exercise, art, music, writing, etc.—can help victims of PTSD express themselves and display their emotions in a positive way.
- Residential Treatment Centers: these intensive treatment centers offer a wide range of personalized treatments. RTCs are ideal for individuals experiencing the more severe effects of PTSD , such as suicide ideation. They are also common for teens who are suffering from PTSD alongside a substance abuse disorder (co-occurring conditions).
By being proactive and seeking treatment in advance, the probability of a
successful recovery significantly improves.
Conclusion
The relative commonness of PTSD has pushed this condition to the forefront
of many critical healthcare debates. PTSD is a consequence of sudden or
prolonged exposure to trauma. While overcoming this particular condition
can be incredibly challenging for some, there is still plenty of reason for
parents everywhere to have hope.