Emotional trauma happens when someone goes through something incredibly stressful. Often, a traumatic experience involves a threat to life or safety. However, any situation that causes someone to feel overwhelmed and isolated can cause trauma. Everyone is different, and we each process experiences differently.
At Venture Academy, our team of professionals understands the causes of trauma and what to look for if you suspect your child has experienced emotional trauma. If you are unsure if your child needs teen trauma treatment, reach out at 866.762.2211 or complete our secure online form, and our Venture Academy team can give you more information.
Signs of Emotional Trauma
Everyone handles trauma differently. So, the signs and symptoms that someone has experienced emotional trauma vary as well. However, some of the most common signs of emotional trauma include:
- Cognitive changes
- Nightmares
- Confusion
- Difficulty with memory and concentration
- Mood swings
- Flashbacks of the traumatic event
- Avoiding people and places that remind them of the experience
- Withdrawing from family, friends, and activities they once enjoyed
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression
- Shame and guilt
Lastly, emotional trauma symptoms can manifest as physical problems. Physical problems that may be a sign of emotional trauma are difficulty falling or staying asleep, becoming easily startled, hypervigilance and edginess, rapid heartbeat, unexplained aches and pains, sexual dysfunction, altered eating patterns, muscle tension, and extreme exhaustion.
Examples of What Causes Trauma
Some situations can cause emotional trauma. For starters, a one-time event can cause someone emotional trauma. This could be an accident, injury, or violent attack. Attacks are especially traumatic if they are unexpected or happened in childhood.
Next, ongoing, persistent stress usually related to the environment someone lives in can cause emotional trauma. Other examples of constant stress are traumatic events like bullying, domestic violence, and childhood neglect that happen repeatedly.
Sadly, there are many overlooked causes of emotional trauma, including surgery, the sudden death of someone close, the breakup of a significant relationship, or a humiliating experience, especially if someone was intentionally cruel.
Healing from Trauma
Just like what causes someone emotional trauma varies from person to person, so does how someone heals from emotional trauma. What works for one person may not work for another person. Some of the ways that studies have shown to begin healing from emotional trauma include:
- Movement and exercise can heal emotional trauma because they can help repair your nervous system. While trauma can disrupt your equilibrium, exercise can help restore your nervous system. Exercising for half an hour or more is proven to help improve your physical and emotional well-being.
- Connect with others. Speaking with friends and family may not be an option. So, seeking help from a behavioural health provider may be an alternative. This way, you are working through your feelings in a safe environment with a trained professional.
- Ask for support. Often you may not be ready to discuss the details of your trauma. However, having someone like a behavioural health provider, spiritual adviser, or a trusted family member to talk to can help in the recovery process.
- Volunteer. Studies show that helping others can help emotional trauma survivors regain a sense of power. Volunteering gives people a sense of fulfillment and lessens feelings of helplessness.
Help Your Teen Heal from Emotional Trauma at Venture Academy
One of the most significant signs of emotional trauma in teens is changes in behaviour. At Venture Academy, we provide a clinically comprehensive treatment curriculum of counseling and therapy, emotional growth support, life skill coaching, experiential learning, academics, and physical activities.
If your teen needs trauma treatment, call Venture Academy at 866.762.2211 or complete our online form to see how we can help. A highly-trained member of our team will be happy to answer any questions and address any concerns.
