What Is Complex Trauma?
With this blog’s introduction, it’s important to acknowledge that this topic can become emotional. As you and others learn about the many causes of complex trauma, you are then in the best position to support your adolescent, or other teens, who are living with its effects.
As the word ‘complex’ suggests, when used in reference to trauma the extent is expanded. That is because complex trauma in adolescents may involve:
The various forms of harm children experience, including both physical and emotional.
Witnessing traumatic events, such as those that occur in the community, as well as those a teen directly experiences, including medical care for an accident or illness.
Multiple sources of trauma, such as being bullied, harassed, or injured by more than one person or event.
When a child experiences repeated abuse and neglect that is usually most concerning when caused by a caregiver.
This blog summarizes the series of potential circumstances that lead to complex trauma, how these affect a child’s overall development, and the caring and therapeutic approaches that support an adolescent’s growth and overall well-being.
The Potential Effects of Complex Trauma
Since the potential causes of complex trauma are varied, so too are its effects. These may include those that are physical as well as those that are psychological and behavioral. The outcomes you see in your teen are the result of changes that occur in their developing nervous system, particularly in their brain. One thing to keep in mind as you read on, is that our brains can be resilient. That applies to all age groups, giving you hope that changes that happen today will support your teen’s development and adaptability.
How Complex Trauma May Affect an Adolescent’s Development
As children grow, their brains are developing. An environment that is rich in various forms of positive stimulation expands that development, whereas one with instances of neglect or harm potentially limits brain development. This means that a growing child’s brain structure or architecture is affected.
Please note that another term you may read about is ‘toxic stress’ that has some common themes with complex trauma. This too is related to children who experience a lack of dependable protective relationships, especially with those most close to them.
The ways in which an adolescent’s development is affected by complex trauma may include:
An over or under response to sensory effects in the environment, such as sounds, odors, lighting, or touch.
This can include direct touch, such as a hug or handshake.
It can also include other forms, such as sensations caused by various fabrics, or the feel of clothing, footwear, and gear. Just think of that annoying tag at the back of shirts and you get the picture!
Activation of the stress response that may not occur for others, such as increases in heart rate, breathing, or sweating.
This can be seemingly simple to another person, like a change in a person’s expression or tone of voice, especially if it seems unfriendly.
Being in close quarters with people, that being small as well as large groups.
Becoming distressed because of what is happening to someone else, such as a friend being bullied.
Pressure related to schoolwork or other forms of achievement.
The Emotional & Psychological Effects of Complex Trauma
As you can see, the sensory and stress responses associated with complex trauma are linked with psychological and emotional effects too. After all, your teen is likely to avoid situations that cause them these sorts of duress. Or, they’ll at least try to avoid them! That can be troubling as contemporary life presents many forms of potential triggers for teens living with complex trauma. These situations may not bother others, yet for your teen, they:
Have an unpredictable response which occurs when someone has a limited awareness of their own and others’ emotions.
Can make it hard to defuse the situation or bring the teen closer to a place of calm.
Find themselves in a seemingly inescapable position, one which can lead to dissociation, during which they separate themselves from what’s happening. This can effectively wipe out or deeply bury any memory of the traumatic event.
Caring for Adolescents with Complex Trauma
Given the duration and/or complexity of your teen’s experiences that have led to complex trauma, you can expect that care and treatment will take time. It also involves choosing approaches that work for your individual teen, potentially becoming methods they can use for self-care in the coming years. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) supports an adolescent’s awareness of their feelings and factors that prompt tension and potential threats.
Your teen learns their unique physical responses that may indicate the triggering of upsetting emotions.
They learn steps to take to self-soothe, such as regular exercise, healthy food choices, and the benefit of routines.
Here at Mindful Healing we introduce your teen to practices that promote emotional balance and calm the nervous system, including yoga, use of the breath, and mindfulness practice.
Our goal is to have a caring alliance with you and your teen, creating a plan that promotes feelings of safety. This progressively leads to fewer crises and being more secure as stabilization increases.