Compared with the daily stress and responsibilities of adult life, most people think of childhood as a relatively carefree time. Yet, whether through an accident or the actions of others, some children don’t get through childhood unscathed. Even if it’s not obvious at first, early childhood trauma can leave a lifelong mark if it’s not treated. Knowing the signs of early childhood trauma is the first step. To learn more about the treatment programs at Venture Academy and how they can help, call 866.762.2211 today.
What Is Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma is any event that causes a child to feel fear, helplessness, or loss of control. These events can often lead to long-term difficulties in relationships, trust issues, and low self-esteem. They can also cause physical and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders. It’s important to note that even seemingly small events can have long-term effects on a child’s ability to cope with difficult situations.
Things and events that can cause childhood trauma include:
- Physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse
- Witnessing violence, sickness, or death
- Being the target of bullying
- Neglect
- Growing up in an unhealthy environment
- Being exposed to substance use disorder
- Living through natural disasters, war, or terrorism
How trauma manifests in behaviour can vary.
Common Signs of Early Childhood Trauma
The signs of childhood trauma can depend on several factors, such as the cause of the trauma and the child’s relationships. Accidental traumas, such as an injury from falling out of a tree, might leave little or no impact. Or, they might lead to recurring bad dreams and a phobia about heights.
Traumas caused by the actions of another person, such as a caregiver or family member, often leave more lasting symptoms. Teens who suffered these kinds of traumas often struggle with trust, press limits, and make marginal progress in school. Impulsive behaviour is also very common.
They may also show signs of poor self-image and struggle with depression or anxiety.
Extreme Signs of Early Childhood Trauma
Not every teen will experience these symptoms, but they often serve as very reliable signs of some kind of past trauma. Self-harming and self-destructive activities, for example, should alert you to the real possibility of trauma. Substance abuse can also indicate some past trauma.
If you see these signs, seek out professional help immediately. Whether the trauma happened long ago or recently, your child needs the assistance of a mental health expert before they do something irreversible.
Recovery from childhood trauma is possible, but healing takes patience and time. Support, understanding, and the right kind of treatment can help children heal and learn to cope with the effects of their experiences. With support, they can develop resilience and thrive despite their traumatic past.
Treatment Options for Trauma
Treatment for childhood trauma can happen with a therapist one-on-one, but you may discover that a treatment centre offers more possibilities. A treatment centre with a behaviour treatment program can apply several different therapeutic approaches. A range of approaches provides a better chance of success.
A few of the approaches your child might encounter at a treatment centre include:
- Individual counselling
- Recreational therapy
- Experiential learning
- Emotional growth support
- Life skills coaching
Depending on where you send your child, there is a good chance that they’ll get a personalized program. Personalized programs address a child’s needs specifically. That lets them avoid wasted time in treatments that don’t apply to their situation and get more from their time at the centre.
Benefits of Getting Professional Trauma Treatment
Teen trauma treatment can help young people to build resilience, recover from traumatic experiences, and lead healthier lives. It provides a safe, supportive environment in which teens can express their feelings and learn coping strategies for dealing with difficult emotions. Here are some of the key benefits that teen trauma treatment can provide:
- Improved mental health
- Improved relationships
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved coping skills
- Improved quality of life
Overall, teen trauma treatment can be a powerful tool to help young people overcome the challenges of their past and move forward with greater confidence and resilience. With the right support, teens can start to build healthier relationships, foster self-esteem, and create happier lives for themselves.
Learn More About Teen Trauma Treatment at Venture Academy
Venture Academy provides mental health treatment for teens, such as teen anxiety treatment. Venture Academy maintains locations in Red Deer, Alberta and Barrie, Ontario.
Don’t let trauma control your child’s future. They can work through that trauma with help from a behavioural treatment program. Contact Venture Academy today at 866.762.2211 or via our online form to see what we can do for your child.
