PTSD Treatment for Teens and Young Adults
PTSD isn’t just something military veterans suffer from. In fact, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than two-thirds of adolescents have experienced a traumatic event, and those experiences can have long-term effects on young adult mental health.
Just as the side effects of PTSD and trauma vary, trauma itself doesn’t always look the same. While some types of trauma are easy to recognize, others may be more subtle yet no less insidious.
For children, teens, and young adults to heal from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related disorders, they need treatment for trauma that helps them build resilience, insight, and the courage to face the past—so they can move freely into the future.
Signs and Symptoms of PTSD
The after-effects of a traumatic event are often long-lasting, negatively affecting daily life for young people throughout their formative years. And symptoms of PTSD are likely to grow worse if they are not addressed promptly.
Furthermore, if trauma in teens, children, or young adults is misdiagnosed, they won’t receive tailored treatment targeted toward PTSD. That’s why a comprehensive mental health assessment is crucial for young people with PTSD who are experiencing the symptoms listed below.
- Flashbacks to the traumatic event
- Panic attacks
- Confusion, lack of focus, and difficulty making decisions
- Nightmares, insomnia, and other sleeping issues
- Loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed
- Difficulty finding pleasure in everyday life
- Irritable or aggressive behavior
- A feeling of emotional numbness
- Edginess, hyper-alertness
- Decline in school or work performance
- Avoidance of anything that might trigger memories of trauma, including people, places, or situations
- Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
Treating Trauma in Childhood
Experiencing fear and traumatic stress as a child can impair the immune system and the body’s response to stress. Studies show that children 6 years and under who have suffered trauma have an increased risk for developmental delays, cognitive impairment, mental disorders, and trauma symptoms.
These symptoms may include excessive crying, trouble sleeping, difficulty regulating emotions and behavior, and separation anxiety. It’s also common for children with a history of trauma to develop chronic or recurrent physical ailments, such as headaches or stomachaches, in addition to mental health conditions.
Addressing these issues during childhood or adolescence can transform an individual’s life. Mental healthcare for PTSD reduces the risk of future problems, like anxiety, depression, or chronic health conditions.
What Causes PTSD?
Trauma and PTSD in young people have a wide range of causes.
Devastating events like a car accident, a school shooting, the loss of a loved one, or a natural disaster can create severe trauma. But everyday experiences like being bullied can also be traumatizing.
Young people can even experience trauma symptoms when they’ve heard about or seen videos of life-threatening events—a type of trauma known as vicarious or secondary trauma.
Types of Trauma
There are various types of trauma that can lead to PTSD symptoms and diagnosis.
What Happens When Trauma Isn’t Treated
Left untreated, trauma can cause PTSD, resulting in long-term negative effects on both mental and physical health. Often such trauma manifests in co-occurring disorders, leading to a diagnosis of substance use disorder or an eating disorder.
Young people are particularly vulnerable to trauma, as their brains are still developing and they haven’t yet built strong coping skills. That’s why treatment is so essential.
The compassion from others is what helped me know I made the right decision to continue to put myself first and heal. The staff at Newport truly care and supported me through the entire experience.
Shannon S.
How Is PTSD Diagnosed?
The first step in PTSD diagnosis and treatment is a comprehensive assessment. In order for a mental health professional to make a PTSD diagnosis, symptoms must last for more than a month and be severe enough to interfere with daily functioning. The following tests are part of a PTSD diagnostic process:
Physical Exam
The doctor may do a physical exam and ask in-depth questions about the patient’s health. In some cases, physical health conditions can cause symptoms that resemble trauma reactions.
Lab Tests
While there is no lab test to determine whether someone has PTSD, tests will help rule out any other factors contributing to symptoms of trauma or co-occurring disorders.
Psychological Evaluation
As part of reaching a diagnosis, a doctor or mental health professional will inquire about the patient’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, and personal history.
Our Approach to PTSD Treatment
Newport Healthcare’s nationwide treatment programs can help you or your loved one peel back the layers of trauma and negative coping mechanisms. Our treatment helps young people dismantle the barriers that are preventing them from living life to the fullest.
Our clinical model is based in authentic connection and compassionate care. By uncovering root causes and providing tools to manage symptoms, change negative thought patterns, and regulate emotions, we help young people move forward in life with self-worth and resilience.
Take a Quiz
If you’re experiencing symptoms, or observing concerning signs in a loved one, take our quiz and get recommendations and next steps.
Effective Trauma Therapies for Children, Teens, and Young Adults
Trauma-Focused CBT
Helps clients change their thought patterns, beliefs, and assumptions about the trauma they experienced
EMDR
Helps resolve and release traumatic experiences through specific techniques involving eye movement and memory
Exposure therapy
Gives young people opportunities to work through the intense anxiety associated with trauma triggers
Attachment-Based Family Therapy
Supports young people to heal ruptures in their family relationships, so they can turn to loved ones for support when they are struggling
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Focuses on increasing mindfulness, self-regulation skills, and the ability to tolerate moments of distress and discomfort as a result of trauma triggers
Revealing and healing traumatic experiences
What Our PTSD Treatment Includes
Psychiatric and Clinical Care
- Psychiatric care, medication recommendations, and ongoing medication management
- EMDR to process and heal from trauma
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to helps clients reframe negative patterns of thinking
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to build distress tolerance around PTSD
- Attachment-Based Family Therapy to rebuild disrupted family relationships so young people can rely on their parents and other loved ones for support
Experiential
Modalities
- Mindfulness and meditation to help balance the nervous system, including yoga and reflection exercises
- Creative art therapies, including music therapy and art therapy, to enhance self-expression and process trauma
- Adventure therapy to empower young people to handle challenges and master new skills
- Community service, as doing good for others is proven to increase life satisfaction and well-being
Academic, Career, and Life Skills Support
- Accredited academic component for teens, and assistance with college applications and admission
- Support with career planning, resume building, and planning next steps
- Life skills training, including daily skills for independent living
- Executive functioning support, to enhance emotional regulation, organization skills, and self-awareness
Are you or a loved one experiencing symptoms of trauma?
Get in touch today to schedule a complimentary call with one of our admissions experts and explore next steps.
Our Team of Experts
Newport Healthcare’s team of industry experts provides results-driven PTSD treatment, delivered with compassion and led by personal experience. Many of our clinical professionals at our trauma treatment centers for young adults bring their own stories of recovery and healing to their work.
Our staff includes psychiatrists, therapists, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, teachers, and more. The Newport Institute team is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children, teens, and young adults.
From Our
Chief Clinical Officer
Our staff’s clinical expertise is matched only by their compassion and desire to see lives changed. They offer unconditional love that supports clients’ self-worth and self-acceptance as they do the work of healing.
Barbara
Nosal
,
PhD, LMFT, LADC
Where to Find Our PTSD Treatment Centers
Newport Healthcare’s trauma treatment centers are in close proximity to multiple cities across the United States. We treat clients ages 7–11, 12–18, and 18–35 (depending on location) from all 50 states and abroad, providing a full continuum of care.
Our residential treatment centers offer serene environments, within beautiful natural settings, where clients can find long-term healing and recovery from trauma and co-occurring issues, like depression and substance use disorder. Our outpatient programs are located in major metropolitan areas, with easy access for young people and families.
We have locations in Northern and Southern California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington State, and Wisconsin, with more programs in development in areas where youth and young adult mental health treatment are most needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, many teens and young adults with unprocessed trauma use unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with distressing emotions. These maladaptive behaviors include cutting, self-medicating with drugs and alcohol, and disordered eating.
Trauma-focused CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), EMDR, exposure therapy, and experiential therapies (such as yoga, meditation, and Adventure Therapy) are proven to be the most effective treatments for PTSD.
The best way to help a young person who is struggling with the effects of trauma is by being a supportive and caring listener. If they are open to it, you can recommend treatment for trauma, with a therapist or in a residential or outpatient program.
PTSD symptoms in young people can include flashbacks, nightmares, feeling emotionally numb, irritability and aggression, suicidal thoughts, and avoidance of anything that might trigger their trauma response.
Trauma can catalyze PTSD as well as other conditions, such as anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and eating disorders.
Trauma-focused or trauma-informed therapy is a type of therapy for trauma that seeks to create a safe and supported environment for healing. Trauma-Focused Therapy recognizes the widespread impact of trauma on people of all ages. This treatment for trauma aims to address the effects on an individual’s mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
