Childhood trauma can have lasting effects well into adulthood. Recent studies indicate that up to 15-43% of children experience at least one traumatic event, with 3-15% developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a parent or caregiver, recognizing the signs of childhood PTSD is crucial for early intervention and treatment. At Evoke Wellness at Coconut Creek, we offer comprehensive programs tailored to address childhood trauma and its long-term impacts. Our evidence-based approaches include residential treatment, dual diagnosis care, intensive outpatient services, and innovative therapies like equine-assisted treatment. By combining cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavioral techniques, we provide children and adolescents with the tools needed to process trauma and build resilience for a healthy life.
If you or a loved one is struggling, help is available today. Call (833) 969-3318 to speak with our compassionate team, or reach out online and schedule an appointment to begin a healing journey.
What does childhood PTSD look like?
Traumatic Events
Childhood post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after a child experiences or witnesses an extremely frightening, dangerous or violent event. This could include physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, natural disasters, serious accidents, or the loss of a loved one. Essentially, any highly traumatic experience that threatens the child’s safety or life can trigger PTSD.
Symptoms in Children
The symptoms of PTSD in children may manifest differently than in adults. Common signs include vivid nightmares or flashbacks, an intense fear or inability to form close relationships, headaches, nausea, and depression. Children may also exhibit impulsive or defiant behavior, have difficulty concentrating at school, or become withdrawn and disconnected from family and friends.
Long-Term Impacts
If left unaddressed, childhood PTSD can have serious long-term consequences. These may include poor emotional regulation, relationship issues, worsening PTSD symptoms, and an increased risk of developing other mental health disorders like addiction. Prompt trauma-focused therapy can help reduce these impacts by teaching children new coping mechanisms to manage triggers and address the root trauma.
Is your childhood PTSD affecting your adult life?
Lingering Trauma Effects
Unresolved childhood trauma can have devastating long-term impacts, according to Evoke Wellness. Emotional turmoil, nightmares and flashbacks may persist into adulthood, along with an inability to form close relationships. Physical symptoms like headaches and nausea are also common effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Increased Mental Health Risks
Those with childhood PTSD face elevated risks of developing additional mental health disorders like addiction, anxiety and depression. Poor emotional control and worsening PTSD symptoms can spiral into suicidal thoughts without proper treatment and care.
Finding Healing
Thankfully, Evoke’s specialized PTSD treatment programs utilize evidence-based therapies to reduce trauma responses and promote healthier coping mechanisms. Modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teach clients to process emotions constructively. Complementary options like equine therapy further aid the healing process.
What are the four types of childhood trauma?
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse involves non-physical forms of hostile, threatening, or rejecting interactions between a child and their caregiver. This includes verbal abuse, humiliation, rejection, and other acts that can damage a child’s self-esteem and emotional well-being. It often leaves deep psychological scars.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves acts like hitting, kicking, punching, or other behaviors that cause bodily harm to a child. It can result in injuries ranging from bruises and fractures to more severe trauma. Any form of physical discipline that crosses the line into violence qualifies as abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse occurs when a primary caregiver or adult uses a child for sexual gratification. This heinous form of trauma includes fondling, intercourse, rape, incest, and other sexually exploitative acts against a minor. The psychological impact can be devastating.
Neglect
Neglect refers to the failure of a parent or caregiver to meet a child’s basic needs for health, education, emotional development, and safety. It can involve physical neglect like lack of food, clothing or medical care, as well as emotional neglect marked by a dearth of love and attention.
How CPTSD works
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) emerges from exposure to prolonged, repeated trauma – usually during childhood. The brain’s response aims to cope and survive, but maladaptive patterns form.
Lasting Neurological Impact
CPTSD causes lasting changes in brain structure and function. Key areas impacted include the amygdala (threat detection), hippocampus (memory processing), and prefrontal cortex (emotional regulation).
Emotional Dysregulation
Individuals with CPTSD often struggle with intense emotions – anxiety, anger, depression. They have difficulty regulating and recovering from these states due to an overactive threat response system.
Negative Self-Concept
Chronic abuse or neglect in formative years can shape deeply negative beliefs about oneself and the world. Self-loathing, shame, distrust of others, and feeling permanently “damaged” are common.
Dissociation and Avoidance
To cope with overwhelming trauma, the mind may compartmentalize memories and emotional pain. This dissociative process can manifest as amnesia, numbing, depersonalization or “spacing out.”
Avoidance of trauma reminders is another protective, but dysfunctional, response pattern in CPTSD. This perpetuates the disorder long-term.
Symptoms of complex PTSD
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) arises from prolonged or repeated trauma, often experienced in childhood. Its symptoms extend beyond PTSD, impacting various aspects of an individual’s life.
Emotional Dysregulation
- Intense emotional reactions or numbness
- Difficulty managing anger, anxiety, or depression
- Persistent feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness
Distorted Self-Perception
- Negative self-image or self-perception
- Feelings of helplessness or being “damaged”
- Dissociative episodes or memory lapses
Interpersonal Difficulties
- Difficulty trusting or maintaining relationships
- Social isolation or avoidance
- Repeated patterns of unhealthy relationships
Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for seeking trauma-informed treatment programs that address the underlying causes and provide comprehensive support through therapies like CBT, DBT, and EMDR. With proper care, individuals can heal from complex trauma and reclaim their lives.
Diagnosis of CPTSD
1. Recognizing Complex PTSD
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a clinical condition that can arise from prolonged, repeated trauma. Unlike PTSD from a single event, CPTSD stems from chronic exposure to traumatic circumstances like abuse, neglect or violence during childhood. According to research, up to 92% of youth in residential treatment programs have experienced at least one potentially traumatic event.
2. Screening and Assessment
Proper diagnosis involves a comprehensive clinical interview and assessment by a qualified mental health professional. They will evaluate symptoms like intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, negative self-perception, disturbed relationships, and emotional dysregulation. Standardized screening tools like the Trauma Symptom Inventory can aid in identifying CPTSD.
3. Overlapping Conditions
CPTSD frequently co-occurs with other mental health issues like depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance abuse problems. Dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both trauma and any co-occurring disorders is crucial for effective recovery. Early trauma significantly increases addiction vulnerability, so an integrated treatment approach is vital.
Treatments of complex-PTSD
1. Psychotherapy Approaches
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) often requires specialized psychotherapy. According to trauma experts, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can effectively treat C-PTSD. CBT helps patients reframe negative thought patterns. DBT focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, and improving relationships.
2. Trauma-Focused Therapies
Trauma-focused therapies directly target the root causes of C-PTSD. Trauma therapy programs allow individuals to process unresolved trauma in a safe environment. Approaches like EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) can reduce distressing memories’ vividness and emotional intensity.
3. Comprehensive Treatment
C-PTSD often co-occurs with other mental health issues like depression or addiction. Comprehensive rehab programs offer integrated treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs. Outpatient program options provide therapy, counseling, medication management, and holistic care for sustained recovery.
Childhood PTSD dual diagnosis treatment program
At Evoke Wellness, we understand the profound impact of childhood trauma and the challenges of PTSD co-occurring with substance use disorders. Our comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment program addresses both conditions simultaneously, fostering long-term healing and recovery.
1. Integrated Approach
Utilizing evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), we tackle the root causes of PTSD while equipping clients with coping mechanisms for trauma triggers. Our trauma-informed care also incorporates equine therapy, allowing for deeper emotional connections and self-discovery.
2. Personalized Care
Our multidisciplinary team collaborates closely with each client, tailoring treatment plans to their unique needs and experiences. Through individual and group sessions, we address the far-reaching impacts of childhood PTSD, including emotional dysregulation, nightmares, flashbacks, and strained relationships.
3. Holistic Healing
Complementing our clinical interventions, we offer holistic therapies that nurture mind, body, and spirit. Mindfulness practices, art therapy, and experiential activities cultivate self-awareness, emotional resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose, empowering clients to reclaim their lives from the grip of trauma.
Childhood PTSD cognitive-behavioral therapy
1. Evidence-Based Approach
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy treatment that helps children and adolescents manage distressing thoughts, emotions and behaviors related to traumatic events. It focuses on changing unhelpful thought patterns that trigger difficult emotions.
2. Skills and Strategies
In CBT for childhood PTSD, therapists teach kids age-appropriate skills to:
3. Gradual Exposure
An important part of CBT involves gradual exposure to trauma reminders in a safe, supportive environment. This desensitization process helps reduce fear and distress over time. Role-playing, imagination exercises and visiting trauma sites may be used cautiously.
4. Parental Involvement
Parents or caregivers often participate in childhood PTSD treatment. They learn CBT principles to encourage positive behaviors, monitor progress and create a nurturing environment conducive to the child’s recovery.
Childhood PTSD dialectical behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy proven effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents. This form of cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on:
- Building mindfulness skills to increase emotional regulation
- Tolerating distress through crisis survival strategies
- Improving interpersonal effectiveness through assertiveness
Learning Emotional Regulation
A core component involves teaching children how to manage intense emotions stemming from childhood trauma or abuse. Therapists guide patients through DBT skills like:
- Identifying and labeling feelings
- Increasing positive emotional events
- Coping with cravings and urges in a healthier way
Enhancing Interpersonal Skills
Children with PTSD often struggle with relationships due to attachment issues. DBT aids in:
- Developing negotiation and assertiveness skills
- Role-playing difficult interactions
- Building social confidence and self-respect
The goal is fostering meaningful connections to combat isolation. Family therapy further supports this by repairing strained bonds.
Mindfulness Techniques
Mindfulness practices help patients become more aware of their thoughts and stay grounded. Exercises may include:
- Breathing exercises to reduce anxiety
- Body scans to self-monitor emotions
- Observing thoughts without judgment
Overall, DBT equips youth with crucial life skills for processing trauma. Its comprehensive approach makes it ideal for intensive outpatient or residential PTSD treatment.
Childhood PTSD equine therapy
Equine therapy is an innovative approach for treating childhood post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children interact with horses in structured activities designed to promote emotional healing, self-confidence, and healthy coping mechanisms.
Fostering therapeutic connections
Interacting with these gentle giants fosters a unique therapeutic connection. Horses mirror emotions, providing real-time feedback that helps children become more self-aware and process traumatic experiences in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Developing emotional regulation
Equine therapy activities, like grooming and leading horses, teach critical emotional regulation skills. Children learn to stay present, read non-verbal cues, and respond appropriately – abilities that translate to improved emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships.
Building resilience and trust
Overcoming challenges with the support of a horse encourages resilience. As trust in the animal and therapeutic team grows, children open up about past traumas. This process builds self-esteem and coping tools for managing PTSD symptoms like anxiety, depression, and hyper-vigilance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, childhood PTSD is a serious condition affecting up to 15% of youth exposed to trauma. Recognizing the signs early and seeking appropriate treatment is crucial for long-term healing. Evoke Wellness at Coconut Creek offers a range of evidence-based programs to address childhood PTSD. Our therapeutic approaches, such as equine therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy, are tailored to each child’s unique needs. By providing comprehensive, compassionate care, we aim to help children overcome early trauma and build resilience for a brighter future. Don’t let childhood PTSD go untreated—reach out today to start your child’s journey toward healing and hope.
Begin Your Journey With Evoke Wellness at Coconut Creek
Evoke Wellness at Coconut Creek is a full-service addiction treatment facility serving Florida residents. We base each of our programs on the individual’s severity of symptoms and use a combination of evidence-based therapies and holistic approaches to address the needs and recovery goals of the patient.
If you or a loved one is struggling, help is available today. Call (833) 969-3318 to speak with our compassionate team, or reach out online and schedule an appointment to begin a healing journey.
