|
Printable Version
This informative page is for anyone involved in the life of a teenager who has experienced a violent injury or traumatic event. This includes parents, health care providers, teachers, clergy or others who are in a position to help the teenager and his or her family adjust after the event, or refer them for help if the need arises. When a teenager experiences violent injury or trauma, it is not unusual for him or her to have reactions to the violent or traumatic event. Others such as those close to the child or close by when the event occurred can also react negatively to the event. These negative events do not always occur right after the event, but can take days or weeks to appear. Following are some tips on how you can help limit the negative impact of a violent injury or trauma on a teenager. Symptoms to watch out for that might indicate that a teenager or others that may need help in dealing with the experience are also listed below.
Things you can do to limit the negative impact:
- Help teen to re-establish a sense of safety and control.
- Listen compassionately and actively to teen.
- Reassure teen that there are ways to make things better.
- Allow teen time and space to feel and express feelings.
- Let teen talk about the traumatic event.
- Suggest teen keep a journal of disruptive thoughts and feelings.
- Reassure teen that he/she can survive the aftermath of the event.
- Let teen know that you are willing to help.
- Offer teen practical assistance and emotional support.
- Encourage teen to get sufficient sleep, exercise and eat healthy, balanced meals.
- Help the teen to build healthy self-esteem.
- Help teen to learn new skills for coping with trauma.
- Model healthy coping for teen.
- Encourage teen to use relaxation techniques (deep breathing, reading, walking, stretching, tightening & relaxing of muscles).
- Let teen take an active part in his or her healing process.
- Make sure you are getting the support you need to help you cope.
- Seek professional help for teen if symptoms persist.
Symptoms to watch for: You may see signs and symptoms after a teenager has experienced a traumatic event. These can be seen in his or her behavior, thinking, feelings, and physical sensations. Following are examples of these signs and symptoms:
Behaviors
- Diminishing interest in usual or significant activities.
- Trouble falling or staying asleep.
- Acting younger than age.
- Testing of parents, hospital staff, teachers, etc.
- Lacks emotional expression or response.
- Attempts to control other people or environment.
- Acts impulsively. Withdraws from family and/or friends.
- Problems in relationships previously enjoyed.
- Personality changes.
- Panic attacks (sweating, heart racing, dizziness, trouble breathing).
- Self-destructive behaviors (for instance, may use drugs or alcohol to medicate emotional pain).
Feelings
- Emotional numbing
- Restricted range of emotions
- Depression
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Fearfulness
- Increased irritability
- Increased moodness
- Heightened sense of being on guard
- Distrust of others
- Feels detached from others
- Denies feelings or aspects of event
- Overwhelmed by everyday situations
- Survivor's guilt
Thoughts
- Gloomy, restricted outlook on the future
- Sense of doom that future traumatic events will happen.
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things.
- Suicidal thoughts.
Physical Sensations
- Stomach aches
- Headaches
- Hypersensitive to pain
- Easily startled
Resources
- Community centers
- Community mental health centers
- Social service agencies dealing with youth
- School social workers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, educators
- Family physician; hospital staff
- Clergy
Reference: Children and Trauma: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, 1993, by Cynthia Monahon. (Jossey-Bass Publishers: San Fransisco, CA)
[Keywords: teen trauma]
|
