Childhood trauma is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. It refers to any adverse experience or event during childhood that exceeds a child’s ability to cope with it. Examples of childhood traumas include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence, natural disasters, and serious accidents.
If your child is struggling with the effects of trauma, we can help. Call 866.762.2211 or contact Venture Academy online for information about dual diagnosis treatment for teens with childhood trauma in Canada.
Childhood Trauma Questionnaire
To determine if a teenager has experienced childhood trauma, mental health professionals often use the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). This questionnaire is designed to assess the level and type of traumatic experiences a person may have had during their childhood. It consists of 28 questions, divided into five subscales: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect. The questions are rated on a scale of 1-5, with higher scores indicating a higher level of trauma. Some sample questions from each subscale include:
- Did a parent or other adult in your home ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?
- Did someone in your family ever beat you up?
- Did a parent or other adult in your home ever push, grab, slap, or throw something at you that could hurt you?
- Did an adult or person at least five years older than you ever make you touch their genitals or ask you to touch theirs?
- Were your parents ever separated or divorced before you turned 18?
- Did you often feel that no one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special?
- Was a household member physically abused?
- When you were growing up, was a household member depressed or mentally ill?
- Did you have to skip a meal because there was not enough food in your home?
- Were you ever kicked out of the house or told to leave and never come back?
- Was your family ever on welfare, rather than having enough money for things like food, clothing, or medical treatment?
- Did you feel that your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?
- Were any of your parents ever drunk or high more than once a week?
- Did you often wish that you had another family that could take care of you?
These are just a few examples of the questions included in the CTQ. Each question is meant to assess a different aspect of childhood trauma, and the overall score can help identify any potential issues that may need to be addressed in therapy or treatment.
It’s important to note that the CTQ is not a definitive diagnosis of childhood trauma. It is simply a tool mental health professionals use to gather information and better understand an individual’s experiences during their formative years. If you are concerned that your teen may have experienced childhood trauma, it’s important to seek out a licensed mental health professional for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Why Seeking Professional Help for Childhood Trauma Is Important
Children who have experienced trauma may exhibit symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Behavioural issues
- Difficulty forming relationships
- Physical health problems
As parents, it can be heartbreaking to see our children suffer from these effects. That is why seeking professional help for childhood trauma is crucial for your teen’s well-being. While it may be tempting to try and handle the situation on your own, a trained professional can provide the necessary support and guidance to help your child heal from their traumatic experience.
A mental health professional can work with your child to identify and process their emotions related to the trauma. They can also teach your child coping mechanisms to manage their feelings and develop healthy ways of dealing with stress.
Furthermore, professional help can also address any underlying mental health issues that may have arisen from the trauma. For example, a child who has experienced abuse may develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A therapist can help them work through these symptoms and provide treatment to manage them effectively.
Get Your Teen the Help They Need to Heal at Venture Academy
As a parent, it is natural to want to protect your child from harm or distress. However, sometimes traumatic events can occur during childhood that are out of our control. These experiences can have lasting effects on a child’s mental health and well-being. Professional support and treatment can help your child heal and move on. Call 866.762.2211 or contact Venture Academy online to learn more about dual diagnosis treatment for teens struggling with childhood trauma.
