SYMPTOMS OF TRAUMA: AGES 13-18

Every adolescent has problems at school or gets angry sometimes. The following symptoms indicate the child has experienced a traumatic event if they are excessive or interfere with the child's or family's lives.

  • Unusually high level of anger
  • Aggression towards family and others
  • Verbal abuse towards others
  • Overly controlling
  • School problems
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions
  • Drug or alcohol use
  • Associating with negative peers or adults
  • Risky behaviors, including sexual behaviors
  • Unhealthy romantic relationships
  • Self harm
  • Panic attacks
  • Shame
  • Flashbacks
  • Hostility
  • Hoarding of food
  • Overly self-reliant
  • Running away
  • Starting fights
  • Trouble relating to peers
  • Defiant
  • Mistrustful
  • Inability to see a future (expects to die young)
  • Alienated
  • Stomachaches, headaches and other physical complaints
  • Withdrawal from friends and family
  • Acting out in social situations
  • Avoidance of situations that remind the child of the trauma
  • Eating problems
  • Nightmares
  • Sleeplessness
  • Irritability
  • Inability to trust others or make friends
  • Poor self esteem
  • Loneliness
  • Confusion

 

More about symptoms:

Birth to Age 2

3 to 5 (preschool)

6 to 12 (elementary school)

 

 

Sad Teen