Monday, July 19, 2010

TEENS AND POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the primary causes of self-medicating substance abuse behaviors that can lead to teen alcohol abuse and addiction and/or teen drug abuse and teen drug addiction. Recognizing and seeking treatment for PTSD and addiction, allows an individual to focus on the process of changing behaviors, improving coping skills, finding solutions to problems, and working through the process of addiction recovery.

The DSM-IV-TR, defines traumatic events as: “Traumatic events that are experienced directly include, but are not limited to, violent personal assault (sexual assault, physical attack, robbery, mugging), being kidnapped, terrorist attack, incarceration, natural or man made disasters, automobile accidents, military combat, or being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.” P.463. Perception of a traumatic event not mentioned above is also relevant, as we all perceive events in our lives differently. Witnessed events are considered traumatic. Divorce, either as the child of divorce or the marital partner of a divorce, can elicit PTSD, as well as contribute to abandonment issues. The DSM-IV-TR, aka Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is the manual by which mental health professionals diagnose and review criteria for treatment.

Inspirations Teen Rehab’s teen residential addiction treatment center, provides treatment for teenage PTSD through individual, group, and family therapy, as well as other therapeutic modalities and programs. Trauma therapy helps teens improve coping skills, decision making skills, communication skills, and develop positive self-esteem. Solution Focused Therapy assists teens in finding solutions and opportunities for change regarding traumatic events and perceptions of events. Teens and families struggling with Teenage PTSD, are encouraged to contact Inspirations Teen Addiction Treatment Program at inspirationsteenrehab.com or call 888-757-6237, and begin the healing process for teen PTSD, and teen substance abuse, as part of their journey in recovery.

Source: Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV-TR; 2000
Written by: K. Corcoran

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