When a traumatic event occurs, it is impossible to know how you and your loved ones may respond. The symptoms of trauma can affect anyone, and if you find your teen is struggling, you may wonder what kind of support they need. Trauma treatment in Baton Rouge can help your teen work through the experiences that have affected them so they can get back to living the life they deserve.
It can be difficult to watch your child struggle with trauma, especially when you do not know how to help them. The skilled team at The Maples’ residential treatment center is trained to help them overcome their trauma with care and compassion. Contact us today to learn more about our effective, evidence-based techniques to help your teen learn how to manage their feelings.
Symptoms of Trauma
The effects of trauma can manifest in many ways, but some common symptoms include:
- Mood swings or emotional outbursts, including intense reactions to small things
- Anxiety or panic, being constantly on edge, fearful, or “jumpy”
- Depression or sadness, feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in favorite activities
- Emotional numbness, seeming detached or “zoned out”
- Intrusive thoughts
- Flashbacks
- Avoiding people, places, or activities
- Extreme mood changes that often result in irritability, anxiety, or depression
- Feelings of guilt and shame, feeling “bad,” “broken,” or blaming themselves
- Nightmares or difficulty sleeping
- Trouble trusting others or forming new relationships
Your teen may also exhibit certain behavior changes that may indicate they are struggling, such as:
- Isolation, withdrawing from friends or family, staying in their room often
- Irritability and defiance, including arguing more, pushing limits, and rejecting authority
- Changes in sleep, such as experiencing nightmares, trouble falling asleep, and sleeping too much or too little
- Changes in appetite or eating habits, including overeating, loss of appetite, or binge/restrict cycles
- Risk-taking or impulsive behaviors, such as substance use, unsafe relationships, and self-harm
- Loss of interest, grades dropping, quitting activities they used to love
If your teen is experiencing a combination of these trauma symptoms, you should speak with our professional team about treatment in Baton Rouge.
Causes of Trauma
Trauma can be both physical and emotional. Those who have survived abuse, a natural disaster, or a serious accident, such as a car crash or near-death experience, may develop symptoms of trauma and seek treatment in Baton Rouge. The severity of an experience can play a role in the likelihood of developing symptoms. While more distressing events may be more likely to result in trauma, smaller events can also contribute to symptoms.
Treating Trauma
Treating your teen’s trauma in Baton Rouge can include a myriad of different techniques and approaches. Whether the focus is on examining your teen’s thoughts and feelings or practicing mindfulness activities that help them live in the moment, our skilled team will work with your teen to find an appropriate approach.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a form of talk therapy that focuses on examining how your teen’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. The goal is to understand their thought process and help them gain more control over their thoughts.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is related to CBT but focuses more on accepting the current thoughts and feelings your teen is having while trying to harmonize the ideas of acceptance and change. It combines the useful skills of mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance to help them explore their feelings.
Yoga
Yoga is a useful mindfulness training tool. By combining techniques that focus on both the body and the mind, your teen can find an inner calmness that may help them better explore past experiences.
Art and Music Therapy
Much like how yoga can help you focus on the present moment, the creative expression of art or music can also help with mindfulness. Art and music can help your teen understand their experiences and work through their emotions. Art is a powerful tool for examining humanity and understanding our experiences.
Contact Our Baton Rouge Office if Your Teen Needs Treatment for Trauma
You can find help and support for your teen at The Maples. Our compassionate team is ready to provide the best trauma treatment in Baton Rouge. Reach out today and learn what we can do for you and your family.