Importance of Coping with Trauma

Trauma in teens can look different than you might expect. It’s not always obvious, and often, teens might not have the words to express what they’re feeling. But there are signs to watch for that can indicate they’re struggling with something deeper than just typical teen stress.

If you suspect that your teen might be dealing with trauma, recognizing the signs early can make a big difference in helping them get the support they need to heal. Know that you don’t have to have all the answers right away. This blog post is meant to provide you with a starting point.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma happens when someone goes through an experience that overwhelms their ability to cope, leaving them feeling helpless or unsafe. For teens, trauma can be even more impactful because their brains and emotional skills are still developing. 

It might cause lasting changes in how they view the world, handle stress, and interact with others. Trauma can show up in different ways, including anxiety, depression, anger, or difficulty trusting people. 

Common Causes of Trauma in Teens

Trauma can come from many different experiences. What might seem minor to an adult could feel overwhelming to your teen. Here are some of the most common causes of trauma in teens:

Abuse (Physical, Emotional, or Sexual)

Abuse, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, is one of the most damaging causes of trauma in teens. It leaves lasting emotional scars and can affect how a teen sees themselves and the world around them. 

Abuse can be defined as:

• Physical abuse: Experiencing harm to your body, like being hit, slapped, or hurt in other ways.
• Emotional abuse: Feeling constantly put down, called names, or made to feel worthless.
• Sexual abuse: Being forced into any sexual activity without your consent or against your will.

Teens who experience abuse may struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness. It’s crucial to address abuse early on, as it can lead to long-term mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and difficulty forming healthy relationships.

Bullying (In Person and Online)

Bullying, whether it’s in person or online, can deeply affect a teen’s mental health. Teens who are bullied often feel isolated, ashamed, and struggle with low self-esteem. Online bullying, or cyberbullying, can be especially harmful because it can happen at any time and follow a teen everywhere, even at home. 

Unlike face-to-face bullying, which may be confined to certain places, cyberbullying can make teens feel like they have no escape from the hurtful messages and harassment. Both forms of bullying can be equally damaging and leave lasting emotional scars.

Neglect

Neglect happens when a teen’s basic needs — food, shelter, or emotional care — are not met. This can leave a teen feeling unloved, unimportant, or abandoned. 

Neglect can take many forms, including physical neglect (like not having enough food or clothing) or emotional neglect (not receiving affection or support). 

Over time, neglect can severely affect a teen’s self-worth and ability to trust others, leading to mental health struggles like depression or anxiety.

Losing a Loved One

The death of a loved one, whether it’s a family member, friend, or pet, can be a traumatic experience for a teen. Grief can bring up deep feelings of sadness, anger, or confusion. Teens may also struggle with a sense of abandonment or feel like their world is no longer safe. 

The way a teen processes grief depends on their relationship with the person who passed away and their emotional resilience. It’s important to offer emotional support and help your teen express their feelings.

Family Conflict

Family conflict, such as ongoing arguments, separation, or divorce, can create a sense of instability for a teen. Teens may feel torn between parents or caught in the middle of difficult situations. 

This kind of emotional strain can lead to feelings of helplessness or confusion, affecting a teen’s sense of security. If family conflict is ongoing or unresolved, it can lead to long-term emotional trauma and issues like anxiety, depression, or problems with relationships.

Natural Disasters or Accidents

Natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods, as well as accidents like car crashes, can leave teens feeling fearful or unsafe. Even if they weren’t directly harmed, witnessing a disaster or being affected by it in some way can be traumatic. 

The unpredictability of these events can make a teen feel like the world is no longer a safe place. It’s important to provide comfort and support after these events and ensure the teen feels heard and understood.

Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic illness, either personally or within the family, can be a significant source of trauma for a teen. Whether it’s a physical condition or a mental health struggle, the constant stress and uncertainty that comes with illness can feel overwhelming. 

Teens might also experience isolation if their illness keeps them from participating in everyday activities or socializing with friends. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, frustration, and sadness.

Mental Health Struggles

Teens who are already struggling with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or eating disorders may experience additional trauma due to the emotional toll of these conditions. Mental health struggles can make it hard for teens to cope with other challenges, and they may start to feel hopeless or like they’re out of control.

The Impact of Unresolved Trauma

Unresolved trauma can have significant negative effects on a teenager’s life. If trauma isn’t addressed, it can lead to any of the following:

Emotional Struggles

Unresolved trauma can also cause teens to struggle with anger, anxiety, and depression. They may have trouble trusting others or feel emotionally numb. This can make it hard for them to connect with others or express their feelings.

Difficulty in Daily Life

Trauma can affect a teen’s focus and performance in school or other activities. It can make them feel insecure or unsafe, even in places that should feel comfortable, like home. They might also have trouble forming or keeping friendships and family relationships.

Turning to Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

When trauma isn’t dealt with, teens may try to numb their pain by using substances or harming themselves. These behaviors can create more problems and make it harder for them to heal.

Long-Term Effects

Unresolved trauma can lead to more serious mental health issues, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also impact their future relationships and life satisfaction. Without support, the trauma may follow them into adulthood, affecting their ability to live a healthy, fulfilling life.

How Coping Skills Help Resolve Trauma in Teens

Coping skills are tools or strategies that help teens deal with difficult emotions, stress, and trauma. When teens learn healthy coping skills, they can process trauma in a safer, more constructive way. 

These skills allow teens to express their feelings, reduce emotional pain, and build resilience over time. This helps them break free from the cycle of trauma and develop healthier ways of responding to stress. 

By practicing these skills, teens can heal from trauma, improve their mental health, and regain control over their lives. Let’s define healthy vs. unhealthy coping skills so you know what behaviors will help your teen heal.

Examples of Healthy Coping Mechanisms

• Talking to someone: Expressing feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist.
• Exercise: Physical activity helps reduce stress and improves mood.
• Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness or meditation can help calm the mind and stay present.
• Journaling: Writing about feelings can help teens understand and process their emotions.
• Creative outlets: Drawing, painting, or making music can be a way for teens to express their emotions.

Examples of Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

• Substance abuse: Drinking alcohol or using drugs to numb feelings.
• Self-harm: Cutting or other forms of self-injury to deal with emotional pain.
• Avoidance: Ignoring or avoiding feelings by staying busy, isolating, or distracting oneself.
• Overeating or undereating: Using food to cope with emotions.

How Parents Can Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms in Their Teen

Helping your teen develop healthy coping mechanisms is an important part of supporting them through trauma. As a parent, you can play a crucial role in guiding your teen to build these skills. Here are some actionable ways you can help them build these skills:

1. Model Healthy Coping

Show your teen how you handle stress by using healthy coping mechanisms, like exercise or talking things through. Your actions can teach them that it’s okay to feel emotions and how to manage them productively.

How to Do This:

• Practice stress-reducing activities like exercise or meditation in front of your teen.
• Talk openly about how you manage stress, showing that it’s okay to ask for help.
• Share healthy ways you handle difficult emotions, like journaling or taking breaks.

2. Encourage Open Communication

Create a safe space for your teen to talk about their feelings without fear of judgment. Be a good listener and reassure them that it’s okay to express their emotions.

How to Do This:

• Ask open-ended questions to invite your teen to share their feelings.
• Validate their emotions by letting them know it’s okay to feel the way they do.
• Set aside regular one-on-one time to talk, ensuring they feel heard.

3. Promote Healthy Outlets

Help your teen find healthy ways to express themselves, like art, music, or physical activities. Encouraging them to explore different outlets can help them channel their emotions in positive ways.

How to Do This:

• Encourage physical activities, like walking, sports, or dancing, to release built-up tension.
• Suggest creative outlets like drawing, painting, or writing to help express emotions.
• Help your teen find hobbies or interests that focus their energy in a positive way.

4. Introduce Stress-Relief Techniques

Introduce relaxation practices, such as mindfulness, deep breathing, or yoga. Practicing these together can help your teen manage stress and build a calming routine they can rely on.

How to Do This:

• Teach your teen simple breathing exercises to calm their nerves.
• Try mindfulness apps or guided meditations together to build relaxation routines.
• Encourage regular yoga or stretching sessions to reduce stress and promote focus.

5. Consider Family Therapy

Family therapy can help your teen understand their emotions, teach coping strategies, and improve family communication. It provides a safe space for everyone to support each other in a guided, structured way.

How to Do This:

• Suggest attending therapy together to strengthen family communication and understanding.
• Help your teen feel comfortable by explaining that therapy is a supportive, safe space.
• Use therapy to identify and address family dynamics that affect your teen’s coping.

6. Set Realistic Goals and Offer Encouragement

Encourage small, realistic goals for coping skill development and celebrate their progress. Positive reinforcement can build your teen’s confidence and motivate them to keep trying.

How to Do This:

• Break larger coping goals into smaller, achievable steps to keep progress manageable.
• Celebrate small wins, like trying a new coping technique, to motivate your teen.
• Remind your teen that setbacks are normal, and each step forward counts.

Help Your Teen Cope with Trauma

At Imagine Omaha, we understand that every teenager’s experience with trauma is unique. That’s why we offer personalized teen mental health treatment plans that consider their unique needs. 

Our programs include a partial hospitalization program (PHP) with a step-down to an intensive outpatient program (IOP). We also offer educational advocacy and medication management services.

Don’t let trauma define your child or hamper their potential. Let us help you and your child on a journey of hope and healing. 

Coping with trauma is possible, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more and start your teen on their healing journey.