The holidays can be stressful for everyone. For many teens, the winter months and holidays can be even more challenging. Holiday events, school breaks, and family stress can trigger physical and emotional trauma memories. Trauma triggers are increasingly common among teens. Luckily, trauma awareness is becoming more prevalent. Programs around the country now serve trauma trigger treatment and holistic trauma healing.
If your teen has suffered trauma and struggles with trauma triggers, Foothills at Red Oak Recovery can help. Our holistic treatment programs serve adolescent men struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Get your teen the help they need today by calling us at 866.300.5275 to learn more about our trauma trigger treatment programs.
What Is A Trauma Trigger?
Everyone processes and experiences trauma differently. Trauma occurs when a person suffers a stressful, often life-threatening event. When a person undergoes a life-threatening event, the experience stays in their body until it is released. This unprocessed trauma may develop into post-traumatic stress or PTSD. When the body doesn’t fully process an event in real-time, it will attempt to finish processing any time something triggers it. Trauma triggers are different for every person based on the traumatic experience they’ve endured. Triggers can be physical and emotional. While these triggers vary widely from person to person, some triggers may include:
- Specific holidays or times of year
- Significant dates (such as an anniversary)
- Certain sounds that remind them of something, including songs
- Memories of a traumatic event
- Places, people, or things associated with a traumatic event
There was little research and understanding of how the body processes trauma and what triggers it for many years. Today, therapists can help teenagers release traumatic memory from their brains and bodies.
Signs of Trauma Trigger Response in Teens
Teenage behavior can seem erratic any time of the year, and this can be amplified during the holidays. Sometimes when a teen has suffered a traumatic event, their parents and family know about it. Oftentimes, this is not the case. Parents and family members may not understand what a teen has suffered and what triggers traumatic memory. When trauma has been triggered, a person will exhibit physical and emotional signs. Some signs of trauma trigger include:
- Confusion
- Dissociation
- Physical and emotional numbness
- Overarousal
- Exhaustion
- Agitation and mood swings
- Anxiety
- Sudden shifts in behavior
When trauma is triggered, a person’s mood or behavior can suddenly shift. Their brain immediately sends the body signals that they are in danger. During a traumatic event, this can save a person’s life. When someone comes across a trauma trigger, however, they may not be in danger. If your teen is exhibiting the above signs and their behavior suddenly shifts, it’s essential to work with a therapist to identify triggers.
Trauma Trigger and the Holiday Season
To mitigate trauma triggers this holiday season, focus on creating a safe and nurturing holiday. Keep festivities small and avoid loud noises, bright lights, and other sensory triggers. If your teen struggles with conflict, don’t invite people to holiday gatherings who may trigger trauma. Help your teen feel engaged and heard by making holiday plans together. Take winter break to step away from social media and other triggers while fostering healthy habits like exercises to release muscle tension and honest family conversation. Teens dealing with trauma may not feel like they have a voice. It’s up to parents to foster conversation.
Treat Teenage Trauma at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
Trauma affects people around the world. Many struggling with PTSD and trauma triggers may not understand why their moods and behavior shift. They may not even know their triggers. If you suspect your teen is struggling with PTSD and trauma triggers, reach out to Foothills at Red Oak Recovery. Our programs for adolescent men provide holistic healing for co-occurring disorders. We understand the struggles teenage men face today. Our therapists offer treatments such as:
- Family therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Group therapy
- Equine-assisted therapy
- Experiential therapy
If your teen is struggling, don’t wait. Call us 866.300.5275 today to learn about teenage trauma trigger treatment and how to help your teen at home.
