A COMPLETE GUIDE TO
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA
IN TEENs
The teenage years can be some of the hardest we go through in life. Teenagers navigate emotional, mental, and physical challenges every day – but teen trauma symptoms can affect their ability to manage these challenges in healthy ways.
When a teen experiences trauma, they can feel as though they and the world around them are “broken.” They don’t know how to fix themselves and their situation, so may feel lost and become overwhelmed by even small hurdles.
If you or someone you care about has experienced psychological trauma, you are not alone. There is a lot of support available to you – and it is entirely possible to heal. This article can help by discussing:
- What psychological trauma in teens is
- The signs of psychological trauma in youth
- The effects of trauma on teenagers
- Healing from psychological trauma as a teen
- Therapy options for psychological trauma
- When to seek help for psychological trauma
What Is Psychological Trauma in Teens?
There is no exact definition of events that could cause psychological trauma in teens, but the following are some of the most common:
Any form of abuse, such as emotional, sexual, or physical- Being exposed to violence, such as domestic violence
- Abandonment by a loved one
- Death of a loved one
- Bullying
- Natural disasters
- Serious illness or needing medical procedures, such as surgeries
- Witnessing conflict, such as in their neighborhood or being in a war
- Feeling under personal attack
Types of Psychological Trauma
Acute Trauma
This form of trauma is typically a one-off incident that can happen quickly, but leaves a long-lasting emotional impact. Incidents that could be considered acute traumatic events include car accidents, attacks, fires, or natural disasters.
Chronic Trauma
In contrast to acute trauma, chronic trauma is ongoing, meaning it can last for a long time. Chronic trauma includes emotional and physical abuse, bullying, and domestic violence. A teen doesn’t have to be the one at the receiving end of these acts – witnessing them is enough to leave a long-lasting emotional impact.
Awareness of the signs of psychological trauma in children and teens may help you or someone you know recognize whether support is needed to help process trauma.
Signs of Psychological Trauma in Children and Teens
It’s important to note that the signs of trauma can look different from person to person and should be thought about in the context of their personality and history. That said, the following are the common behavioral, emotional, and physical signs of psychological trauma in children and teens.4-8
The Behavioral Signs of Trauma in Children and Teens
- Irritability or mood swings: A child or teen who has experienced psychological trauma may show irritability or sudden outbursts or emotions, such as sadness or anger, without clear reasons as to why.
- Defiance: They may oppose instructions or requests from authority figures – especially if their psychological trauma came from someone in this type of role.
- Over-compliance: Alternatively, they may go above and beyond to follow requests and rules out of fear of punishment.
- Fatigue: A child or teen who has experienced psychological trauma may have difficulty sleeping, so might appear frequently exhausted.
- Changes to appetite or eating patterns: Weight loss or gain, including the development of eating disorders, may indicate psychological trauma.
- Self-destruction: Risky or self-destructive behaviors, such as emotional or physical self-harm, can indicate difficulty coping with trauma.
- Impulse control issues: They might struggle to think before they act, leading to problems controlling their behaviors.
- Repeating the trauma: Psychological trauma can cause a teen to reenact or compulsively talk about the traumatic event.
- Avoiding triggers: A teen or child with psychological trauma may also go to great lengths to avoid anything that reminds them of the traumatic event, including places or conversations associated with it.
- Isolation: Withdrawing from family or friends, or not participating in group activities they previously enjoyed.
- Aggression: Feeling like they can’t cope with what they’ve experienced, a child or teen who has experienced psychological trauma may act aggressively towards others. They also might have witnessed aggression and see it as “normal” behavior.
The Emotional Signs of Trauma in Teens and Children
- Emotional control issues: A child or teen who has experienced psychological trauma may find regulating their emotions very difficult, potentially leading to becoming easily upset and angry. They might also struggle to calm down after these episodes.
- Difficulties talking about their feelings: They might struggle to identify and describe what they’re feeling, so may not be able to express what they need to others.
- Trust problems: Psychological trauma can cause a child or teen to find trusting others hard – they may find them unreliable and unpredictable.
- Self-image issues: Low self-esteem and self-worth may also result from psychological trauma, leaving a teen feeling shame and guilt about who they are. It may also lead to body image problems and the feeling that they can’t achieve goals.
- Problems learning: Trauma can cause all of a child or teen’s mental resources to go towards “survival mode.” This means they may feel “stuck” in the traumatic event and find focusing on learning new information or skills difficult. This can affect schoolwork and lead to low motivation.
The Physical Symptoms of Psychological Trauma in Youth
- Hypersensitivity: A teen or child with psychological trauma may find certain sounds, smells, tastes, and textures uncomfortable or difficult to tolerate.
- Discomfort with physical contact: They may pull away from attempts at physical contact from others, such as hugs or a hand on the shoulder.
- Unexplainable ailments: Psychological trauma can lead to a variety of unexplainable physical illnesses or discomfort, for instance, headaches, stomach pains, and digestive discomfort.
The Effects of Trauma on Teenagers
The Mental Health Effects of Trauma on Youth
Difficulties handling emotions: Some teens with psychological trauma may show intense emotions in response to events that remind them of their trauma. This might look like becoming very sad, upset, angry, or aggressive after minor incidents. On the other hand, some teens might think that it’s “unsafe” to express their emotions, so bottle them up. They may even dissociate from them entirely – causing them to come across as emotionally “numb.”
- Coping in unhealthy ways: Teens with psychological trauma may feel like their emotions are too overwhelming to deal with, so they might try to control how they feel through high-risk actions. They may also try to control what they eat or push down their emotions and deny they exist.
- Mental health conditions: Psychological trauma has been linked to mental health conditions in teens. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, risk-taking behaviors, eating disorders, and even thoughts of hurting themselves – showing the importance of seeking support.
The Physical Effects of Trauma on Youth
Changes to the brain: Trauma can affect how the brain is wired, making it more difficult for a teen to enjoy day-to-day pleasures. This contributes to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
- Being constantly “on guard”: A teen with psychological trauma may constantly be alert for threats to their safety and well-being. This causes a long-term release of stress hormones which can damage the immune system over time – and also affect their mood and emotions.
- Physical illness: A teen may not connect how they feel emotionally with how they feel physically, but there are both short and long-term effects of trauma on the body. They may have a rapid heartbeat and breathing in response to even slightly stressful circumstances, as well as recurring headaches and stomach pains. Also, if trauma isn’t processed, these issues can continue into adulthood and increase the risk of serious health problems.
The Effects of Trauma on Teens’ Relationships
Social anxiety: A distrust of others and a low sense of self-esteem can cause a teen to feel highly anxious in social groups. This may lead them to avoid group activities and sports, making them lose out on important bonding experiences.
- Avoidance behaviors: Due to fear, distrust, and insecurity, a teen with psychological trauma may pull away from relationships with family and friends. They may feel lonely and isolated, but not understand how to express how they’re feeling.
- Conflict: A teen’s actions in response to trauma are commonly misunderstood. People close to them may think they’re displaying adolescent “angst” and think they’re intentionally being difficult. This can lead to conflict with the people closest to them – damaging their support system further.
It’s clear that psychological trauma can disrupt normal development in ways that could lead to emotional, physical, and relationship problems. These reactions are normal responses to intensely distressing events – however, if they’re not processed in healthy ways, the effects of trauma can continue to affect a teen’s life and extend into adulthood.14 The good news is that there are many options for healing and support available for teens with psychological trauma and their families.
Healing From Psychological Trauma as a Teen
Every teenager is unique and may respond to trauma in different ways. However, if you or someone you love has psychological trauma that is affecting your quality of life and happiness, there are options for healing. The best step you can take towards good mental health is therapy with a trained mental health professional; they can help you understand your trauma, the emotions and actions around it, and how to resolve these in healthy ways.
In the meantime, there are steps you can take to help you manage your emotions and work through trauma.
1. Find an Outlet for Your Energy
Are there any skills or activities you used to enjoy doing? Are there ones you’ve always wanted to try? When we give ourselves a focus we can discover strengths we never knew we had – improving our self-esteem and finding an outlet for otherwise negative emotions.
2. Create a "Calm Box"
Sometimes it can help to have physical or visual reminders of things that make us feel good whenever we’re overwhelmed by emotions – or feel emotionally numb. You could create a “calm box” with objects that help you feel more balanced, happy, or safe. You can put whatever you like in your “calm box,” but the following are some suggestions:
- Objects you can squeeze, hug, or squish
- Photos or contact details of loved ones
- Notes from friends
- A list of songs you like to listen to
- Statements about yourself that remind you about who you are, such as “I feel angry/sad right now, but this feeling doesn’t define me.” Or, “I am a worthy and loved person. What happened doesn’t change this.”
3. Take It Day by Day
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by your emotions and experiences, but all you need to do is focus on today. How can you help yourself feel more relaxed right now? Breathing exercises and mindfulness are excellent ways of resetting the mind and body. Alternatively, you could choose to watch a favorite film, listen to a playlist you love, or go for a walk in nature. All that matters is that you engage in something that makes you feel calm and more connected to yourself.
Be patient – you might experience ups and downs in mood. This is OK. With the right information, support, and therapy, you can and will heal.
Trauma-Informed Therapy for Teenagers
Some of the most popular trauma-informed therapies include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT’s evidence-based approach can help people heal from trauma as it focuses on distressing thoughts, helps identify and process emotions, and develops coping skills.- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR therapy for trauma in teens can help them process trauma in a safe, supportive environment. It changes the way trauma is stored in the brain, reducing the impact of psychological trauma.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT was adapted from CBT for people who struggle with strong or difficult emotions and can help teenagers with psychological trauma by teaching them practical ways of managing emotions and stress.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy: TMS’ non-invasive approach can reduce the symptoms of trauma by rebalancing the brain, promoting a more stable mood and better well-being.
- Group Therapy: Group therapy for youth with psychological trauma provides a safe space for teens to express how they feel, process their emotions, and realize that they’re not alone in their experiences.
There are also youth mental health resources for trauma – if you need confidential, empathetic support there is a range of options in your area.
When to Seek Help for Psychological Trauma in Teens
Psychological trauma can make a teenager feel unsafe in what they believe to be a “dangerous” world. They’re constantly in “fight or flight” mode – leaving them overwhelmed and isolated as they think that no one else can understand what they’re going through.
If you or someone you care about has experienced trauma that is impacting your emotions, actions, relationships, and happiness – now is the time to seek professional support. Healthy emotional and physical well-being paves the way for a teenager’s future, so taking the right steps now ensures a bright and promising life.
Mission Prep’s team of trained professionals offers individualized, effective care for teens with psychological trauma. We aim to understand each person’s needs to provide the best form of treatment for them – helping them feel safe, listened to, and understood.
Reaching out is the first step towards better health. Contact us today for support and guidance.
References
- Moroz, K. J. (2014). The effects of psychological trauma on children and adolescents. Report prepared for the Vermont Agency of Human Services, Department of Health, Division of Mental Health, Child, Adolescent and Family Unit.
- Feriante, J., & Sharma, N. P. (2023). Acute and chronic mental health trauma. In StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing.
- American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://www.apa.org/topics/ptsd
- American Psychological Association. (2020). Emotional and behavioral effects of trauma in adolescents. Psychological Assessment, 32(8), 719-730. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000215
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (n.d.). Effects of trauma on teens. Retrieved from https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma/effects.
- Rai, T., Mainali, P., Raza, A., Rashid, J., & Rutkofsky, I. (2019). Exploring the Link Between Emotional Child Abuse and Anorexia Nervosa: A Psychopathological Correlation. Cureus, 11(8), e5318. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.5318
- Kuzhiyengal Mambra, A. J., & Kotian, S. (2024). The impact of childhood trauma on aggressive behaviour in adolescence. JuniKhyat, 14(10), 515–527.
- van der Kolk, B. A. (1988). The biological response to psychic trauma. In Post-Traumatic Therapy and Victims of Violence (1st ed., pp. 14). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203776414
- Armsworth, M. W., & Holaday, M. (1993). The effects of psychological trauma on children and adolescents. Journal of Counseling & Development, 72(1), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1993.tb02276.x
- Malizia, N. (2017). The psychological trauma in children and adolescents: Scientific and sociological profiles. Sociology Mind, 7(1), Article 71002. https://doi.org/10.4236/sm.2017.71002
