More and more the traumatic events of our world flash on the TV and across the internet and social media. Information, pictures and video are instantaneous and replayed over and over again.

We often talk with our younger children about events, but what about our teenagers? Do we have any idea what they are thinking or feeling about the devastation of the Oklahoma tornado, the Boston Marathon bombing, the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, the Aurora movie theatre shooting or the Columbine High School shooting?

Here are some common reactions to disasters:

  • Feelings of hopeless about the future
  • Feeling detached or unconcerned about others
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Startle easily at sudden noise or jumpy
  • Feeling watchful for the next disaster
  • Experiencing disturbing dreams or memories
  • Feeling numb
  • Avoiding people or places that remind them of the trauma
  • Becoming easily upset or agitated
  • Feeling things will not get better
  • Depression

 

Sometimes a person can have physical reactions as well. For example:

  • Upset stomach
  • Difficulty eating
  • Pounding heart
  • Rapid breathing
  • Excess smoking, drugs, alcohol
  • Feeling nervous, helpless, fearful, sad

 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can happen to anyone. It is an Anxiety Disorder that usually develops after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event involving death or the threat of death or serious injury to oneself or to others. This causes intense fear, helplessness or horror.

Talk to your teen about current events. If your teen is continuing to have problems dealing with a traumatic event, it is time to get help.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is treatable with therapy and sometimes medication to help with anxiety and or depression.

Triumph Youth Services uses a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in individual therapy combined with group and family therapy to treat each youth’s issues. CBT is effective in teaching victims of PTSD how to reduce emotional and physical symptoms and manage fear related to the trauma.

Reference:
http://www.wipps.org/BTS/ptsd_subpages/handouts/Reactions_Survivors.pdf