Tackling Teen Trauma: A Step-by-Step Guide From Someone Who Experienced Trauma

A 5 step guide to alleviate symptoms of restlessness, anxiety, depression, and uneasiness- coming from someone who experienced trauma.

(Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Always reach out to a qualified health professional regarding your condition and/or following these pieces of advice; as we are just teens, we know that this experience is different for everyone)

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Photo Credits: TotalShape/Unplash

When I was just 9 years old, my life changed forever. Coming into the recovery room, while seeing my best friend in bandages and gauges due to brain tumor surgery, I did not realize how much the subsequent months would devastate me. I still well remember the nauseating feeling, of seeing a face that looked like my brother's, but really struggling to find my brother within that wounded body and permeated soul. Even now, in 2023, the effects of this event still haunt me...

As we as individuals coexist within the earth at the same moment, so do 8 billion other humans. All living different lives, all experiencing different events. But one thing that connects us all is the hardships we encounter. Learning to bring awareness with us into our unique relationships is just step number one.

Mental health is a tricky subject that many of us have had experience with in the past. Whether it be forms of anxiety over an assessment, or depression due to loneliness, especially during the pandemic, cases of mental health challenges were recurring in nearly 37% of high-school students.

From our experience, one of the more overlooked subjects is that of trauma. Trauma can come in numerous different forms, including acute trauma, chronic trauma, and complex trauma. It is important to recognize these forms early on and allocate the needed help before it may become too late as you approach adulthood.

Here are some suggestions as someone who experienced trauma myself...

1. Talk to a trusted adult about potentially starting art therapy. Art therapy is an amazing way to continue to exercise creativity, even at a time when it seems like it is difficult to reach. This form of therapy is great as it allows one to relax and move their bodies in a way that is fun and, in the end, extremely beneficial.

2. Don't be afraid to change some things in your day to day life that may remind you of the traumatic event that you faced. Whether it be doing a room makeover, or going to a different clothing store, it may be better to change small things in your lifestyle until you are ready to discuss these stress inducers in a different setting.

3. If you experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, there are numerous therapies that you can discuss that do not involve the use of medication. These include, but are not limited to -psychotherapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR). Although this is not as popular, some of the benefits include learning about the origin of the trauma and integrating insights through bilateral simulation.

4. Meditation: whether this be through yoga, or through any sort of app, meditation is a wonderful strategy for centering and grounding your soul, your body and your mind.

5. Join a support group: finding the right people that you can talk to, like those that faced similar circumstances, can be a great resource for alleviating stress and anxiety, even amongst the discomfort.

We know that this experience is not easy; it can feel detrimental and unbearable at times. From teen to teen, however, I just wanted to commend you for all the progress you are making. Even simply looking at this blog for 3 minutes of your time, even if just one word caught your eye, I am proud of your motive. I hope everything lays out well for you, like the way you want it to :)

Love,

Michelle

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