Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often associated with “adult” experiences, such as serving in combat or dealing with the death of a loved one.
But trauma — and therefore posttraumatic stress — can happen at any age.
And both the source of the trauma, and the symptoms of PTSD may look different in adolescents and teens than it does in adults. Because of this, it may be hard to tell whether you (or your teen) are dealing with posttraumatic stress, generalized anxiety, or another condition altogether.
Recognizing some of the ways trauma affects teens can help you better understand your experience and identify the best way to move forward .
Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress in Teens
While teens with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or panic disorder and those dealing with posttraumatic stress experience some of the same symptoms (including feelings of isolation, loss of interest, rapid changes in mood, avoidance or fear of certain situations), the primary difference between these conditions has to do with the root cause.
Teens with generalized anxiety are often described as “anxious people” or “worriers.” They feel anxious about a wide range of circumstances and situations and have often experienced this type of anxiety since childhood. Similarly, those with panic disorder are often overwhelmed by feelings of fear or loss of control, manifesting as a sudden, unexpected “panic attack.”
For teens with PTSD, however, symptoms develop as the direct result of a traumatic event. It may feel as though your brain is reliving the trauma over and over again, even months later. You might notice:
- Re-experiencing: Flashbacks, feelings of extreme stress, and physiological responses similar to those experienced during the trauma (sweating, pain, increased heartrate, or breathlessness)
- Hyperarousal: Difficulty sleeping, feeling overwhelmed (especially by sensory input), feeling on edge, prone to sudden outbursts
- Avoidance: Avoiding people, places, and/or activities associated with the trauma, trying not to think or talk about the event, difficulty remember details, or general feelings of detachment
It’s also not uncommon to worry that there were “warning signs” prior to the traumatic event — or something you could have done differently to avoid it. You may believe if you pay more attention or act differently, you can avoid future trauma. Due to the feelings of powerlessness often associated with a traumatic experience, many symptoms of posttraumatic stress manifest around regaining a sense of control.
For some teens, this may mean isolating themselves from people or activities that feel triggering. Others might find outlets through numbing or high-risk behaviors including drugs and alcohol, violence, or self-harm.
From the outside, family and friends may notice a drop in school performance or participation. They may think you seem distracted or “stuck inside your own head.” They may worry that you’re experiencing outbursts of anger or engaging in self-destructive behaviors.
Misconceptions about post-traumatic stress
Trauma is not always easy to recognize. Not all traumas involve violence or life-threatening events. A trauma is defined as any stressful event that makes a person fear for their safety or the safety of others close to them. For some, this might include a divorce or change in family structure, a big move, a change of school or grade level, even a bad break up.
Any trauma can lead to PTSD, but not every trauma will lead to PTSD. Most young people who go through trauma will deal with some level of posttraumatic stress, but many find their own way to cope with what they’ve been through. Some will seek out healthy outlets (including interpersonal support, journaling, therapy, etc.) that allow them to move past the trauma quickly.
But depending on the type of trauma, past experiences, and support structures in place, other teens may find themselves overwhelmed and struggling to cope. This is when posttraumatic stress may develop into PTSD.
Effectively treating post-traumatic stress
The sooner you seek treatment following a traumatic event, the more likely you are to be able to cope with the experience in a healthy way and the faster you’ll be able to move beyond posttraumatic stress.
Like other forms of anxiety, posttraumatic stress can both be treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of the two.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a particularly effective technique for overcoming posttraumatic stress. During EMDR, a trained therapist can help you to reprocess a traumatic event, reassociating it with other memories to reduce emotional distress.
It’s important to note that it’s possible to have other anxiety or mental health disorders as well as PTSD. A traumatic event can make these underlying conditions more severe, so it’s important to work with a licensed therapist or mental health professional to understand the different aspects of your symptoms and identify the right treatment for you.